Forensic Autopsy Technician

Mecklenburg County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) is seeking an Autopsy Assistant to support forensic pathologists in death investigations. The role involves assisting with exams/autopsies, photographing and collecting specimens, and maintaining the autopsy suite and related documentation.

Responsibilities include handling bodily remains, securing evidence, and assisting in the preparation of cases for review, under supervision.

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

Responsibilities

• Perform forensic autopsies on recently deceased individuals with varying levels of decomposition.
• Prepare for autopsies by maintaining biographical logs and setting up the autopsy station with proper instruments.
• Assist pathologists during autopsy and in identifying/collecting legal evidence; secure personal possessions and prepare toxicology/histology samples.
• Maintain morgue facilities: stock supplies, clean autopsy suite, manage waste and formalin mixtures.
• Handle office duties: answer phones, request documents, maintain case files and diagrams.

Skills

Human anatomy

Forensic science

Radiographic procedures

Medical terminology

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Salary Range: $25.53 to $31.33 per hour. This is a non-exempt position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

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

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) mission is to provide county morgue and medical examiner/forensic pathology services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. The MCMEO interacts with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist in death investigations, reporting their findings on the cause 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 violent deaths
• Deaths occurring under unusual circumstances
• Deaths of all prisoners as well as all patients in a state mental health facility

Office Location: MCMEO 3440 Reno Avenue Charlotte, NC 28216

Position Summary

Perform eviscerations and grosses anatomic dissections, remove organs, portions of bones and other pathological remains 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 stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to move about from point X to point Y.
• Operates a computer or other office equipment.
• Ascends/Descends a ladder to perform duties or operate equipment.
• The person in this role is required to position themselves to maintain equipment such as computers, servers, machinery, etc.
• The person in this role frequently communicates and must be able to exchange and convey information.
• Must be able to review information on paper or computer.
• Must be able to discern information from long distances.
• Must be able to detect or distinguish flavor 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, 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 an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.