FORENSIC AUTOPSY TECHNICIAN, Medical Examiner

Full Job Description

Performs advanced-level medical and autopsy procedures with forensic pathologists on a daily basis to achieve the mission and goals of the Medical Examiner work unit.

BENEFITS

Tarrant County employees enjoy superior health, retirement, and insurance benefits & 13 County Holidays

For more information, please click on the link below:

http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/human-resources/employee-benefits.html

Requirements

Assists medical examiners with external examinations and completes full autopsies by preparing work materials and body for examination using established procedures and respectful and diligent care.

Eviscerates bodies and performs complex dissection for the removal of organ and tissue samples.

Performs post examination procedures including skilled sutures to return the body to its natural anti-mortem appearance and cleansing of all biological fluids.

Collects photo documentation and uploads autopsy photos to digital imaging management system (DIMS) to be included as legal documentation for master case file.

Maintains and operates various instruments and equipment within the laboratory including autopsy saw, digital camera, organ and body scales, and digital radiology systems.

Adheres to quality management policies and safety standards required by accrediting bodies as well as regulatory agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

This includes proper use of personal protective equipment during examinations using universal precautions for exposure to highly contagious diseases associated with biological fluids, inhalation of air-borne pathogens and bone dust, and hazardous chemicals used during procedures.

Performs specialized methods of fingerprint evidence collection for analysis and evaluation of fingerprint evidence using standardized, professional, industry, and legally acceptable techniques.

Provides decedent fingerprints to law enforcement agencies for verification and confirmation of deceased.

Itemizes property received with human remains. Secures items including valuable jewelry, wallets, and money and hangs clothing to dry. Packages property to be released with body.

Evaluates property that would contain evidentiary materials to be analyzed for forensic testing. Matches property back to decedent after examination is completed.

Coordinates the release of body to funeral home. Verifies authorization paperwork from family. Retrieves body from outgoing cooler and transports to garage bay.

Assists funeral home staff in verification process to ensure accurate release of decedent and property are made.

Completes journal transaction and electronic transfer in laboratory information management system (LIMS).

Calibrates, operates, and troubleshoots full body scanning system (LODOX).

Lifts and properly positions bodies within the parameters of the system to obtain a full-body scan, then obtains images for pathologist to view during examinations.

Stores images on EVO system as a legal document in case file. Copies stored images on CD as requested by external agencies through records requests.

Qualifications

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To be considered for this position, your application must be complete and clearly demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications.

Please ensure that all sections of the application are fully completed, including Education (specifying the type of degree, field of study, and graduation status), Experience, and Certifications/Licenses.

Resumes alone will not substitute for a completed application.

Incomplete applications will result in disqualification, as eligibility for minimum qualifications cannot be confirmed without full documentation.

If selected for hire, you will be required to provide proof of educational attainment during the onboarding process.

Tarrant County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudication in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records and educational attainment.

A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Additional Information

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to bend, grasp/squeeze, use hand tools, use hazardous machinery, tolerate cold inside temperatures, keyboard, lift below the waist, lift to the side/twist, use material handling equipment, tolerate noise, pull, push, be exposed to radiation, reach, perform repetitive tasks, sit, be exposed to solvents, stand, stoop, talk, and walk.

Daily exposure to biological organs, tissues, blood, urine, bile, and bone dust during evisceration of human remains.

The hazards associated with this position include handling of human remains that may be decomposed, odorous, charred, mutilated, or infectious with highly contagious diseases.

There is routine exposure to visually graphic situations. This position requires routine exposure to sharp and heavy objects in addition to bodies that may weigh up to 800+ pounds.

Daily use of hazardous chemicals for sterilization is mandatory.