Morgue Attendant - Pathology

The Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University Morgue Attendant in the Pathology department supports routine receipt and release of decedents and provides after-hours coverage. Responsibilities include coordinating autopsy-related notifications, documenting procedures, and guiding transporters.

You will perform data entry in Excel and SharePoint, assist with autopsy workflows, and liaise with families, funeral homes, and clinical staff to ensure compliant handling and communication.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Certification or vocational training may be preferred
• 1 year of relevant experience required
• 2-4 years of relevant experience preferred
• Experience with the principles, operations and maintenance of laboratory procedures and equipment desired
• ability to move a minimum of 100 pounds and lift a minimum of 50 pounds required
• ability to conduct professional and empathetic phone conversations strongly desired
• basic familiarity with medical terminology desired
• computer skills including knowledge of basic internet operation and Microsoft Office required

Responsibilities

• manages routine receipt and release of decedents and routine phone coverage
• processes funeral home notifications/designations, autopsy requests, organ procurement notifications, and coroner’s office referrals for each decedent, as applicable
• assists with the transfer of decedents from cart/bed to cart/bed
• completes documentation required for receipt/release protocols
• performs data entry into databases including Microsoft Excel and SharePoint systems
• guides transporters in proper receipt/release protocols
• operates badge-only access points during after-hours coverage
• communicates with clinical staff, non-OSU entities, residents, faculty, autopsy staff and more via email and fax regarding decedent updates, required documentation, hand-off notices, and other pertinent information
• serves as a liaison with internal and external physicians, staff, researchers, families, funeral homes and representatives from other healthcare facilities
• Disposes of biohazardous and chemical waste safely and appropriately
• requests pickup and delivery of environmental health and safety supplies
• discards surgical and autopsy specimens, organizes and catalogs surgical specimens following transport from appropriate laboratories, and delivers specimens and cassettes to appropriate laboratories
• performs barcode scanning to track assets throughout workflows
• prepares and closes conferences (cleans surfaces/tools/supplies, processes/replaces tissues)
• Reviews and obtains documentation associated with authorization from legal next-of-kin for autopsy
• discusses autopsy authorization processes and requirements with families and non-OSU facility representatives
• obtains medical records and documentation from internal and external sources
• operates clinical and pathology-specific laboratory information systems to prepare autopsy cases
• accessions cases to chart autopsy data/documents and produce case labels
• prepares case folders including requesting/receiving, sorting, & entering autopsy data into laboratory information systems
• Performs routine and unanticipated cleaning
• attends intra and interdivisional meetings
• completes additional duties as assigned

Skills

Empathy

Phone communication

Medical terminology

Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or GED

Certification or vocational training

Job description

Job Title

Morgue Attendant - Pathology

Department

Medicine | Pathology

Position Summary

• Under general supervision, functions as a Morgue Attendant providing periodic coverage of the Morgue (during business hours, after business hours, and holidays) managing routine receipt and release of decedents and routine phone coverage
• processes funeral home notifications/designations, autopsy requests, organ procurement notifications, and coroner’s office referrals for each decedent, as applicable
• assists with the transfer of decedents from cart/bed to cart/bed
• completes documentation required for receipt/release protocols
• performs data entry into databases including Microsoft Excel and SharePoint systems
• guides transporters in proper receipt/release protocols
• operates badge-only access points during after-hours coverage
• communicates with clinical staff, non-OSU entities, residents, faculty, autopsy staff and more via email and fax regarding decedent updates, required documentation, hand-off notices, and other pertinent information
• serves as a liaison with internal and external physicians, staff, researchers, families, funeral homes and representatives from other healthcare facilities
• Disposes of biohazardous and chemical waste safely and appropriately
• requests pickup and delivery of environmental health and safety supplies
• discards surgical and autopsy specimens, organizes and catalogs surgical specimens following transport from appropriate laboratories, and delivers specimens and cassettes to appropriate laboratories
• performs barcode scanning to track assets throughout workflows
• prepares and closes conferences (cleans surfaces/tools/supplies, processes/replaces tissues)
• Reviews and obtains documentation associated with authorization from legal next-of-kin for autopsy
• discusses autopsy authorization processes and requirements with families and non-OSU facility representatives
• obtains medical records and documentation from internal and external sources
• operates clinical and pathology-specific laboratory information systems to prepare autopsy cases
• accessions cases to chart autopsy data/documents and produce case labels
• prepares case folders including requesting/receiving, sorting, & entering autopsy data into laboratory information systems
• Performs routine and unanticipated cleaning
• attends intra and interdivisional meetings
• completes additional duties as assigned

Job Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• Certification or vocational training may be preferred
• 1 year of relevant experience required
• 2-4 years of relevant experience preferred
• Experience with the principles, operations and maintenance of laboratory procedures and equipment desired
• ability to move a minimum of 100 pounds and lift a minimum of 50 pounds required
• ability to conduct professional and empathetic phone conversations strongly desired
• basic familiarity with medical terminology desired
• computer skills including knowledge of basic internet operation and Microsoft Office required

Additional Information

Eligible for premium pay for shifts of at least four consecutive hours worked after 3:00 PM on weekdays, weekends, or holidays. Participation in an on-call rotation and occasional holiday coverage is required.

Location

Location: Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute (0113) Position Type: Regular Scheduled Hours: 40 Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Benefits

Ohio State benefits give you options to take care of what matters most to you — and opportunities to make adjustments as your life and needs change, including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

Company Culture

As Buckeyes, we accomplish more together. No matter your role, you’ll be part of creating what people need now: pathways to education, research and health care.

Working at Ohio State means you’re part of a team with a strong sense of community and an unwavering commitment to excellence — and, of course, incomparable Buckeye spirit.

We bring out the best in people, help each other succeed and learn together. By joining Ohio State, you become part of a top-20 public university with one of America’s leading academic health centers. We’re a team of dedicated colleagues with access to boundless resources that support you.