Forensic Autopsy Technician

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office in Charlotte, NC, is seeking an Autopsy Assistant to support forensic autopsies and related tasks. The role involves assisting pathologists, preparing the autopsy area, handling evidence and specimens, and maintaining the morgue facilities.

The position is non-exempt; requires a high school diploma with anatomy/physiology coursework, and a valid driver’s license. Experience in a morgue or medical examiner setting is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in assisting with autopsies or in a related area.
• High School Diploma or equivalent with coursework in Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, and/or Anthropology.
• Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License required; may require MVR check.

Responsibilities

• Assist board-certified forensic pathologists during autopsy investigations.
• Perform autopsy-related prep: log books, station setup, evidence collection, and specimen handling.
• Maintain morgue facilities and perform related office tasks as needed.

Skills

Autopsy assistance

Forensic pathology knowledge

Medical terminology

Safety procedures

Laboratory procedures

Communication skills

Radiographic procedures

Microsoft Office knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Anatomy/Physiology/Histology/Anthropology coursework

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 alsoprovidesconsultationand forensic pathology services to one regional county: Cleveland.

Position Specific Information

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

Responsibilities

• Assisting board-certifiedForensic Pathologists that are responsible for overseeing each deathinvestigation conducted at the facility, totaling approximately 1,500annually.

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 inassisting with autopsies or in a related area.
• Education:High School Diploma or equivalent andcoursework in Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, and/or Anthropology.
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experienceaccepted? 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 afuneral home, morgue, coroner’s office, or medical examiner’s office setting.
• Previous experience transporting bodiesand working with deceased.
• Education related to Anatomy,Physiology, Histology, Anthropology, Biology, and Forensics preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Forensic science as it pertains to the human body
• Radiographic procedures
• Medical terminology
• Applicable forensic tools
• Applicable safety procedures
• Laboratory procedures
• 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
• General knowledge in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Demands

• 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.
• 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, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities 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.