Job Specifications
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DEFINITION
Under general supervision processes and preserves deceased persons; assists pathologists in preparing human bodies for and in conducting autopsies for traumatic, unnatural or suspicious deaths; maintains facilities and equipment in a sterilized, disinfected manner; and performs other duties as required.
The Coroner Forensic Technician position is assigned to the Office of the Sheriff-Coroner, working in an autopsy room and office setting under the technical direction of a contract Forensic Pathologist. In this capacity the Technician is directly supervised by a Sheriff’s Sergeant.
Incumbents
work independently with minimal supervision and are assigned to coordinate
autopsy activities and
network with allied law enforcement, private hospitals and
mortuaries. Positions in this class are
non-sworn civilian positions within the Sheriff’s Office. This position is distinguished from the
Deputy Sheriff class in that it does not require peace officer status, training
or responsibility, and persons in this class do not carry firearms. This class is further distinguished from the
position of contract Forensic Pathologist by the lack of medical qualifications and licensing.
Receives,
identifies, releases and moves deceased persons from refrigeration storage;
prepares deceased persons for autopsy exam and final disposition; assists
pathologist in performing medico-legal autopsies to include the opening and
closing of deceased persons and the removal of internal organs.
Maintains morgue
and autopsy room in a clean, sanitary and orderly manner; cleans and sterilizes
equipment; checks for proper ventilation and condition of equipment; orders and
maintains autopsy, office and other needed supplies.
Examines
photographs and records external identification characteristics of deceased
persons such as height, weight, hair, eye color and scars; transports deceased
persons for x-rays and delivers films to pathologist.
Observes and
reports conditions found that may be of value in an autopsy investigation;
collects and prepares evidence, clothing and specimens for lab examination;
preserves, stores and discards evidence, clothing and specimens as directed or
according to established procedures.
Prepares
for transportation and transports bodies of deceased persons to and from death
scenes and county medical facilities. Works with bodies of deceased persons which may contain contagious
or infectious diseases; inventories and stores personal property of deceased
persons; completes daily logs and activity reports; serves as witness in Court
cases as required.
Knowledge:
Working
knowledge of:
·
Surgical
instruments, equipment, supplies and procedures used to assist a pathologist in
performing medico-legal autopsy examinations.
·
Basic
anatomy, physiology, dissection, medical terminology, rules of evidence
regarding chain of custody and methods to preserve and safeguard evidence.
·
Applicable
laws and regulations, health and safety codes and precautions for handling and
preparing deceased persons and for contagious disease control.
·
Modern
cleaning and disinfection methods and practices of cleaning floors, walls and
fixtures.
Ability
to:
·
Operate
and maintain surgical instruments, equipment and supplies when assisting in
performing medico-legal autopsy examinations.
·
Prepare
clear and concise reports and keep accurate records.
·
Process
and preserve deceased persons for autopsies and perform diener
services after autopsy.
·
Maintain
facilities and equipment in a sterilized manner.
·
Follow
written and oral instructions of a technical nature.
·
Establish
and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the
course of work.
·
Work
with bodies of deceased persons of all ages, including those associated with
traumatic deaths and those infested with insects and vermin.
·
Tolerate
unpleasant odors such as those from decomposed bodies and preservative
chemicals.
Training
and Experience: Any
combination of training and experience that would provide the required
knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge
and abilities would be:
·
Two
years of training and/or certification in nursing, mortuary science or
laboratory pathology that develops a working knowledge of human
anatomy/physiology, autopsy procedures and equipment, and methods of removing
organs or preparing bodies for mortuary.
OR
·
Two
years of college coursework (60 semester units or 90 quarter units) in Nursing,
Mortuary Science, Lab Path or related field.
OR
·
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to that of
an Entry-level Coroner Forensic Technician, Hospital Morgue Attendant,
Embalmer, Diener, Deputy Coroner, or Autopsy
Assistant.
OR
·
One
year of experience in a hospital or morgue that would provide a working
knowledge of hospital, laboratory, morgue or mortuary sanitation methods and
procedures.
SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS, CONDITIONS:
The ability to see well enough to examine
deceased persons and to assist with autopsies; to stand for long periods of
time; to hear telephone and face-to-face conversations; and to speak clearly to
serve as witness in coroner cases. Physical strength to lift
and move bodies from gurneys to autopsy tables and to assist with autopsies.
Manual and finger strength and dexterity sufficient to
operate surgical instruments such as scalpel, bone cutters, scissors, knives,
sewing needles and thread to assist with autopsies. Possess a sense of
smell to detect chemical odors. Willingness to work flexible hours, which may include weekends,
holidays and shift work.
Mentally and physically capable of
performing the classification’s essential functions as summarized in the
typical tasks section of this job specification.
License Requirement: Possession of a California Class C
driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Background Investigation: Successfully pass a complete background investigation..
Bargaining
Unit: 41
EEOC Job
Category: 02
Occupational
Grouping: 62
Worker’s
Compensation Code: 0285