Morgue Specialist - C

Bexar County PA; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Bexar County Morgue seeks a Morgue Specialist I to receive and log decedents, evidence, and property, and assist in preparing specimens for postmortem exams. The role emphasizes security, data entry, and maintaining the morgue environment.

The position offers a clear career path within the Morgue Specialist family, with advancement based on productivity, skills, and education. Shift work and background checks are required as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Graduation from High School or GED and one year of general office and administrative experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Receives, photographs, tags and appropriately stores decedents and skeletal specimens.
• Undresses, washes, weighs, measures and photographs decedents for autopsy preparation.
• Assists in opening cavities during autopsy; handles organ and fluid specimens; prepares histology cassettes.
• Maintains postmortem storage and proper decedent identification and chain of custody.
• Enters decedent data into the computer system; inventories medications and ensures secure storage.
• May testify in court regarding tasks performed.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title Morgue Specialist - C

Pay Rate Min to Mid Range $19.99 - $23.49

Time Type Full time

Summary

Under direct supervision, is responsible for receiving and logging in bodies of decedents, evidence and/or property; responsible for assisting in the preparation of decedents and organ/body fluid specimens involved in postmortem examinations; maintains cleanliness and orderliness of morgue, morgue equipment and materials; enters decedent evidence and/or property data into computer system; maintains evidence/property/specimens in a secure environment; arranges for release of bodies after examination; and performs related duties as required. The position of Morgue Specialist I is the first position of the Bexar County Morgue Specialist family of jobs. The family of jobs is organized in a career path that extends from Morgue Specialist I (Pay Table NE, Grade 03) to Morgue Specialist II (Pay Table NE, Grade 05). Advancement through the career path is contingent upon achieving defined levels of productivity, skills, experience, and/or education.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receives, photographs, tags and appropriately stores decedents and osteological/ skeletal specimens under appropriate conditions
• Undresses, washes, weighs, measures and photographs decedents in preparation for autopsy examination
• Assists in opening abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities during autopsy; removes, weighs and measures organ and fluid specimens; prepares histology cassettes
• Closes postmortem incisions utilizing surgical needles and sutures and ensures proper storage of decedents until release
• Performs and processes body and specimen x-rays
• Fingerprints decedents prior to release and confirms adequate identification photographs were taken
• Obtains, labels and transports specimens to Toxicology section
• Enters data regarding decedents and personal effects into the computer system
• Maintains inventory of property in a secure environment ensuring the protection and preservation of the chain of custody
• Inventories medications of decedents and secures them appropriately
• May contacts funeral homes regarding release and pick up of decedents
• Cleans and maintains autopsy trays, surgical instruments and equipment, body coolers, and the morgue work areas
• Performs tissue destruction
• Receipts funds from decedents buried under the County's pauper burial program, when required
• May testify in a court of law regarding tasks performed
• Performs other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from High School or General Education Development (GED) certificate and one(1) year general office and administrative experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a funeral home setting preferred.
• Knowledge of human anatomy; knowledge of health and safety standards and practices; knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet software; knowledge of basic office procedures.
• Skill in filing and organizing of material; skill in operating personal computer and basic office equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow instruction and strict operating procedures; ability to maintain records; ability to compile data and organize reports; ability to communicate with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County employees, outside agencies and the general public.
• Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation
• Must clear a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test
• Shift work to provide evening hour coverage is required
• Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation from the FBI and/or Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
• May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

Constantly working in indoor conditions

Work environment involves exposure to blood, body fluids, surgical cutting, unfavorable fumes, vapors or odors and potentially infectious material; occasional exposure to flammable, toxic or other hazardous/bio-hazardous materials and radiation

Frequently moves items weighing up to 20 pounds; occasionally moves items 200 pounds

Occasionally moves about the office

Frequently communicates with others; must be able to exchange accurate information

Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery

Positions self to perform essential functions

Must be able to remain in a stationary position

Benefits and Diversity Statements

• Bexar County offers employees a competitive salary, retirement, and benefits.
• Many employee benefits are available to an employee’s spouse/plus one qualifying adult and dependent child(ren).
• Employee benefits are strategically designed to support an employee and family, work/life balance.
• Employee Benefits | Bexar County, TX - Official Website
• With nearly 5,000 employees from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, Bexar County offers a wide range of opportunities.
• Our 18 locations and campuses throughout the county jurisdiction are testament to our expansive reach.
• As public servants, Bexar County employees are dedicated to enhancing our community through exceptional service.
• At Bexar County, we are committed to fostering a positive work environment that emphasizes reciprocity, professional growth, and a healthy work/life balance.
• This mutual commitment is evident in the strong bonds we maintain with our employees, even into their retirement.

Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.