Forensic Autopsy Technician I

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Employer retirement plan

Medical plans PPO/HDHP

Flexible work options

PTO 4 weeks

Paid holidays

Volunteer time

Preferred holiday pay

Job summary

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine seeks a Forensic Autopsy Technician to prepare bodies for postmortem examinations, assist pathologists, and support cadaver transfer and storage. The role includes medical photography and preparation of specimens for analysis.

The position requires adherence to NAME standards, proper chain-of-custody procedures, and maintaining a clean morgue environment, with weekend/holidays and occasional overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates workload to meet deadlines.
• Prepares paperwork and tools for daily tasks.
• Receives, identifies and transfers decedents per NAME protocols.
• Performs postmortem imaging (radiography/CT) as needed.
• Preserves clothing and evidence for forensic analysis.
• Maintains evidentiary materials and chain of custody in policies.
• Documents examination info, measurements and observations.
• Photographs materials with proper labeling and uploads to case system.
• Assists in transferring cadavers to anatomy/anthropology labs and maintains clean work areas.
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call as required.

Job description

The Forensic Autopsy Technician prepares bodies for postmortem examinations, assists pathologist during and after the examination, and prepares body for release to funeral home; provide medical photography services. Provides support with transfer of cadavers to anatomy laboratory and into storage, maintenance of cadavers and the anatomy lab, and assisting with prosections of cadavers, as needed. Performs routine and non-routine activities involved in the storage, filing, and preparation of slides for microscopic evaluation and adheres to established quality control criteria and established procedures.

Benefits

• Wellness reimbursement.
• Continuing education and tuition reimbursement.
• Employer-funded retirement plan.
• Two medical plan options: PPO and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with employer HSA contribution.
• Flexible work solutions based on position and department.
• Up to four weeks of PTO accrual beginning in year one.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid volunteer time.
• Paid preferred holiday.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates workload to complete assignments within requested time frame.
• Prepares paperworkand tools to accomplish the daily workload.
• Responsible for the receipt, identification and transfer of all decedents into and out of WMed,maintaining chain of custody protocols in accordance with WMed protocols and in compliance withstandards set forth by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).
• Performs postmortem radiography according to safety standards, including Lodox , Carestream,computed tomography (CT) and assists with postmortem dental radiography, as needed.
• Responsible for the collection and preservation of clothing, physical and biological evidence forforensic analysis.
• Documents and maintains evidentiary materials in accordance with establishedpolicies and procedures, including chain of custody protocols compliant with standards set forth byNAME.
• Responsible for the collection, appropriate labeling, documentation and packaging of specimens fortoxicological analysis maintaining chain of custody protocols and in accordance with NAMEstandards.
• Documents external examination, including: verification of decedent identification, photographs anddocuments all personal belongings and items pertinent to examination, including medical treatment,decedent identifiers and evidentiary materials, if applicable.
• Under direct supervision of the assigned pathologist, performs in situ dissection of the autopsyprocedure, including the identification, observation and evisceration of organs and tissues from thechest, abdomen and head.
• Responsible for the documentation of examination information, observations, weights, and measurements following established procedures.
• Photographs medical/forensic materials with accurate labeling, uploads digital photographs to case management system.
• Following examination, prepares decedent for funeral home and notifies funeral home and/ortransport service, if applicable.
• Documents all communication.
• With supervision, oversees the release of decedents to funeral homes and/or appropriate transportservices.
• Maintains morgue organization and cleanliness; ensures surfaces are free of blood and body fluids.
• Disposes of hazardous waste and specimen storage appropriately.
• Responsible for maintaining daily log of cooler inventory of decedents and specimens, temperaturemonitoring and laboratory supplies.
• Practices universal precautions and follows infection control policies and procedures accordingly.
• Assists in the Anatomy Laboratory, including support with transfer of cadavers, maintenance ofcadavers, and cleanliness.
• Assists in the Anthropology Laboratory, as needed, transferring decedents/specimens and decedents for examination.
• Attends and engages in all unit and departmental meetings.
• Maintains a clean and well-organized work area At times, may be responsible for cleaning up bodily fluids from decedents/cadavers outsideofdepartment.
• Availability to work weekends and holidays.
• Availability to work occasional overtime or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Availability to provide on-call, overnight customer service with occasional response to morgue for time sensitive release procedures.
• Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions All other duties as assigned.