Medical Examiner's Office - Forensic Autopsy Technician Lead

Description

Position Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to work as the Lead Forensic Autopsy Technician at the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO). PCMEO investigates sudden, unexplained, suspicious, unnatural, unlawful, and violent deaths that occur in Pierce County, which has a population of approximately one million. You will be responsible for assisting, and leading other Forensic Autopsy Technicians in assisting the forensic pathologists with photography, x-rays, CT-scanning, fluid draws, evisceration, evidence collection, and other tasks related to the forensic examination of a body. You will make important and skilled observations while providing essential assistance that is critical for the office in carrying out its public service mission to the residents of Pierce County. You will play an active role in advising on process improvement measures.
Why It's a Great Department:
You will join highly motivated and experienced Forensic Autopsy Technicians currently on staff and work under the supervision of a dedicated Postmortem Examination Supervisor. We function as a team to provide professional, thorough, consistent, impartial, and independent forensic examinations and medicolegal death investigations, and postmortem examinations. You will assist this small close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.
PCMEO is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and is a stand-alone facility that boasts a Lodox™ full-body radiography machine and will soon be implementing CT (computed tomography) imaging on-site, along with a three-station autopsy suite with a single-station special procedures/isolation room. You will have a shared personal workstation.
For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking HERE.
How to be Successful in the Role:
Bring your knowledge of forensic science and human anatomy along with motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate and lead a small team, and you are sure to succeed. The right person for this position will have a high level of professionalism, discretion, and respect for our mission. Required skills include proficiency with basic and advanced Forensic Autopsy procedures and/or working in an anatomic pathology laboratory, knowledge of chain of custody procedures, and thriving in a busy environment with multiple competing priorities. Understand that you could be requested to work various shifts including some holidays, weekends, and evenings. Employees in this career position are considered essential employees and you may also be requested to report to work to assist with the continuation of operations during fatality surges.
Your Future in this Role:
You will be the team lead of 3 Forensic Autopsy Technicians and 1 Transport Agent with the supervision of a Postmortem Examination Supervisor. In addition to having your own cases, you will help train others on the Technical Team with Forensic Autopsy procedures and ensure the casework is done according to protocol. You will have input in the development of new protocols and improvement of existing protocols. Employees take part in continuing education opportunities.
Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Assign work to a specific work unit and ensure tasks are completed correctly and timely.
• Coordinate facilities work requests and projects in the autopsy area.
• Provide training to new and existing staff.
• Prepare body for autopsy; weigh and measure human remains; incise body; dissect and remove organs; take tissue and fluid samples from the body and forward related information and samples to laboratories for further analysis; restore organs to body; and suture and clean body.
• Assist forensic pathologist in the collecting and handling of trace, physical, and biological evidence and finger and palm prints.
• Operate x-ray equipment; take photographs of human remains; coordinate handling, storage, and transfer of film and photographs; and maintain all related records and files.

Qualifications

• Additional education or related experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• Two or more years of training in a medical related discipline or related scientific field.
• Two or more years’ experience assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work.

• Experience performing lead worker duties.
• Photography experience with use of DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
• Full competency in using both the Rokitansky and Virchow autopsy procedures without additional training is highly desired.
• Skill in objective observation.
• Effective communication skills – verbal and written.

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Washington State driver’s license is required. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and follow State driving laws.
• An employee in this position is subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours, as required.
• This recruitment requires a CV and letter of interest highlighting why you're interested in this position. Not including both will result in an incomplete application.

Supplemental Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• Submit a current resume and cover letter with your application.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.