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Form of workPublic Health Seattle and King County are looking for applicants interested in becoming a Forensic Autopsy Technician with the Medical Examiner's Office. Forensic Autopsy Technicians work alongside Forensic Pathologists to help them determine cause and manner of death. Technicians conduct evisceration, take photographs and x-rays, collect and deliver samples for toxicological testing, as well as a range of other activities.
Commitment to Equity and Social Justice: Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspxResponsibilities include:
- Assist pathologists in opening, eviscerating, and closing bodies and collecting toxicological samples during autopsies.
- Perform photographic documentation of bodies, wounds and associated evidentiary aspects of the case.
- Operate and maintain photographic equipment and digital images.
- Clean and prepare bodies for autopsy and subsequent release to funeral homes.
- Collect, catalog, and maintain evidence from autopsy to release to appropriate investigating agency.
- Perform custodial maintenance for autopsy room, storage areas and coolers, and arrange decedents.
- Wash and dry laundry used in autopsies.
- Order and inventory supplies and materials.
- Take full body, dental and fluoroscopy X-rays and determine X-ray placement and composition.
- Wash and bag sample tissue and store for future reference by pathologist. Take toxicology and histology samples to external laboratories for processing and label, deliver and distribute slides to pathologist. A County vehicle will be available for use.
- Compile data in the electronic case management system as well as complete and file forms.
- Assist or perform procedures as indicated for the identification of remains.
- Assist in field investigations as needed.
- Other related duties as assigned.
- Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology
- Knowledge of trace evidence and chain of custody
- Knowledge of basic firearm safety
- Skill in time management, organization, and attention to detail
- Skill in problem solving
- Able to take direction, work independently, prioritizing own work and meeting deadlines
- Able to work as part of a team
- Skill in handling several tasks simultaneously
- Skill in following written directions and protocols
- Skill in dealing with death and with human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease, and trauma
- Skill in handling the psychological effect of death for a spectrum of individuals in the community
- Skill in treating human remains with sensitivity and respect
- Skill in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of information
- Skill in handling stress associated with work duties
- Skill in handling crisis and emergency situations
- Knowledge of skeletal biology, including individual bone identification
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge in operating standard office equipment
- A valid WA State Driver License is required to operate a County vehicle.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
- Responses to Supplemental Questions. Please do not copy and paste your resume or resume sections as responses to Supplemental Questions. Doing so will result in an incomplete application, unless the submitted information completely and directly answers the questions posed. Your Supplemental Question responses must be substantiated in your NeoGov/Government Jobs application.
- The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location and working hours.
Necessary Special Requirements
- KCMEO staff are considered Mission Critical employees, and our office continues to operate at full capacity in inclement weather, public health emergencies, etc.
- These positions are not eligible for remote work.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
- The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation and a Pre-Employment Physical.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
Work location: This position is based out of the King County Medical Examiner's Office, located at Harborview (908 Jefferson Street, 2nd floor, Seattle, WA, 98104).
Work schedule:The normal work schedule for this position is either 5:30am - 2:00pm or 6:00am - 2:30pm. For 2 out of every 3 months this schedule runs Monday through Friday, but for the 3rd month it is Sunday through Thursday. The 7-person team rotates through the Sunday-Thursday schedule. The only exceptions to this take place when there are holidays, which may cause the Sunday to shift to Saturday. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. OR This position is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.
Union affiliation: This position is represented by WSCCCE L1652- Medical Examiner
Contact: For more information about the application process, please contact Catherine Fitzpatrick, Sr. HR Analyst at Catherine.fitzpatrick@kingcounty.gov.Employment Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
