Forensic Autopsy Technician

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office is seeking an Autopsy Assistant to support forensic examinations, including autopsies, photography, and specimen collection in a professional morgue setting in Charlotte, NC. The role involves handling decedents, preparing the autopsy area, and assisting pathologists under supervision.

Qualified candidates will have a High School Diploma or equivalent with coursework in anatomy and related fields, and at least one year of autopsy-related

Qualifications

• Experience in assisting autopsies or related work (minimum 1 year).
• High School Diploma or equivalent with coursework in Anatomy/Physiology/Histology/Anthropology.

Responsibilities

• Assist board-certified Forensic Pathologists during autopsies and related examinations.
• Prepare autopsy room and materials, maintain logs and case files.
• Collect samples, photographs, and evidence; transport and handle body respectfully.
• Order supplies and maintain morgue facilities and safety procedures.
• Perform office duties related to reporting and documentation.

Skills

Human anatomy

Forensic science

Radiographic procedures

Medical terminology

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

FollowYour Calling, Find Your Career!!

Salary Range: $25.53 to $31.33 perhour. This is a non-exemptposition. Pay rates are based oneducation, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equityconsiderations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history andqualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

At MecklenburgCounty, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are withsupport, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you.We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg Countybecome even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience foryourself, and a better working world for all.

The Mecklenburg CountyMedical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) mission is to provide county morgue andmedical examiner/forensic pathology services to the citizens of MecklenburgCounty. The MCMEO interacts with local, state and federal law enforcementagencies to assist in death investigations, reporting their findings on thecause and manner of death.The MCMEO also provides consultation and forensic pathology services to one regional county: Cleveland.

Position Specific Information

This position will join a team assisting with exams/autopsies to include digital photography, digital radiography, collection of samples, assisting with moving decedent bodies as needed for exams, and basic cleaning of the immediate morgue area.

Responsibilities include assisting board-certified Forensic Pathologists that are responsible for overseeing each death investigation conducted at the facility, totaling approximately 1,500 annually.

The MCMEO is primarily responsible for death investigations under the following specific circumstances:

• Natural deaths in individuals without a physician
• Unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy individuals
• All accidental, suicidal, homicidal, traumatic, or violentdeaths
• Deaths occurring under unusual circumstances
• Deaths of all prisoners as well as all patients in a statemental health facility

Office Location:

MCMEO

3440Reno Avenue

Charlotte,NC 28216

Position Summary

Perform eviscerations and grosses anatomicdissections, remove organs, portions of bones and other pathologicalremains in accordance with established safety standards. This position, under direct supervision, will help prepare the room, paperwork, and body, and assist the pathologist with the actual autopsy.

Essential Functions

• Perform forensic autopsies on recently deceased, decomposed, burned, and partially skeletonized human bodies
• Prepare for forensic autopsies, which includes: maintaining log books with biographical information on deceased; setting up autopsy station with proper instruments; assisting in identification/collection of legal evidence; collecting and securing personal possessions of deceased; preparing body for pathologist exams; preparing containers for toxicology and histology samples; and/or performing other related activities
• Assist in external/cremation exams, which includes: taking photographs of deceased; collecting blood samples; collecting and securing personal possessions of deceased; and/or, performing other related activities
• Ordering supplies; and/or, performing other related activities
• Maintain morgue facilities, which includes: stocking supplies; preparing laundry; cleaning autopsy suite; preparing biohazard waste for disposal; preparing formalin mixtures; maintaining coolers; and/or, performing other related activities
• Perform a variety of office duties, which includes: answering phones; completing document requests; creating and maintaining case files; filing histology slides; maintaining autopsy forms and diagrams; and/or, performing other related tasks
• Maintain personal possessions and releases bodies to funeral homes or crematories

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of one year of experience in assisting with autopsies or in a related area.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent and coursework in Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, and/or Anthropology.
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? N/A
• Licenses and Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License May require County Driving Privileges May require Annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience/education in a funeral home, morgue, coroner’s office, or medical examiner’s office setting.
• Previous experience transporting bodies and working with deceased.
• Education related to Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Anthropology, Biology, and Forensics preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Forensic science as it pertains to the human body
• Radiographic procedures
• Medical terminology

Skills

• Applicable forensic tools
• Applicable safety procedures
• Laboratory procedures

Abilities

• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information received
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs

Computer Skills

• General knowledge in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Demands

Physical Demands: Frequency: Must be able to remain in a stationaryposition 50% of the time. The person in this position needs to moveabout from point X to point Y. Operates a computer or other officeequipment. Ascends/Descends a ladder to performduties or operate equipment. The person in this role is required toposition themselves to maintain equipment such as computers, servers,machinery, etc. The person in this role frequentlycommunicates and must be able to exchange and convey information. Must be able to review information onpaper or computer. Must be able to discern information fromlong distances. Must be able to detect or distinguishflavor or smells. Demand Weight Frequency Must be able to carry/move equipment 10 lbs or less Must be able to carry/move equipment 11-20 lbs Must be able to carry/move equipment 21-50 lbs Must be able to carry/move equipment 51-100 lbs Must be able to carry/move equipment Over 100 lbs

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, anindividual must be able to perform, with or without reasonableaccommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals withdisabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be anall-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills,requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based onbusiness need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reservesthe right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positionsmay be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.