Morgue Attendant

Duties

Essential Duties

• Receives decedents and ensures all are identified and tagged accurately and appropriately;
• Receives, identifies, transports, and moves decedents and associated personal property from the walk-in cooler to examination area; follows chain of custody procedures;
• Undresses, washes, weighs, measures and photographs decedents in preparation for postmortem examination; removes medical intervention from decedent;
• Prepares, shoots, digital radiographs of decedents;
• Assists in utilizing various techniques to ensure fingerprints are obtained on all cases;
• Assists in the evisceration of abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities during postmortem examination; removes, weighs, and measures organ and collects biological specimens samples/evidence;
• Assists the Chief Medical Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiners in all postmortem processes and procedures as directed;
• Maintains recovered osteological and skeletal specimens under appropriate conditions and security;
• Completes postmortem exams utilizing surgical needles to suture, clean, and fingerprint decedents and ensures chain of custody of decedents until release;
• Decontaminates, sanitizes, and maintains, surgical instruments, and autopsy equipment;
• Ensures that all morgue and witness forms are signed and documented accordingly;
• Makes sure that only authorized personnel are permitted in Morgue area;
• Keeps bulletin board outside coolers and digital morgue board up to date with name and case number in proper columns;
• Keeps Morgue log book current and checks it daily;
• Keeps track of all refrigerator and freezer temperatures in Morgue area, records them daily and reports any malfunctions to morgue manager or supervisor;
• Keeps Morgue, refrigerators, autopsy areas, control room, receiving, X-ray, storage and locker room clean;
• Cleans all windows inside and out of all Morgue areas, and autopsy suite;
• Assists with inventory of morgue supplies and equipment;
• Organizes and keeps track of all slides and histology cassettes, as required;
• Delivers and picks up specimen samples to designated hospital or to other labs for analysis;
• Verify tags before releasing decedent to funeral homes or other authorized parties after examinations are conducted;
• Performs general clerical duties of the morgue including filing, data entry, and some database management;
• Allows for limited cross-training with Forensic Photographer and in their capacity as needed;
• Participates in the Mass Disaster Plan for the Office of the Medical Examiner;
• Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
• Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
• Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties

• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
• As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Acceptable Experience and Education

• High school diploma or equivalent. Two (2) years of vocational/technical education or training in a medical or related settings. Preferred: education or training in medical field with proficiency in human anatomy.
• Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of: medical and legal terminology; human anatomy and physiology; disease etiology procedures to take x-rays; mortuary science and funeral practices; including aseptic and antiseptic procedures; rules of evidence and of procedures to protect evidence and personal property; cameras and photographic procedures; collection of evidence and chain of custody; office techniques; procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; modern office procedures, methods, and various available computer equipment, software, supplies and maintenance services; principles of organization and administration; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications. Skill/Ability to: Utilize basic office equipment; use a computer to gather and analyze data; handle remains of deceased persons, including opening and closing bodies and assist the pathologist during any autopsy; work effectively under unpleasant conditions; follow written and oral instructions; communicate effectively with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments who are under extreme duress and in grief; wear Personal Protective Equipment and respirators; comply with departmental policies regarding blood-borne pathogens, radiation safety, biohazard and chemical exposure prevention, and other regulations and policies governing the operation of the Office of the Medical Examiner; comply with case confidentiality requirements of the department; work under adverse and/or hazardous conditions involving frequent exposure to sudden, unexpected and sometimes traumatic deaths of varying degrees in age, decomposed bodies, bodies with extensive physical injuries and all types of biohazards; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; follow written and oral instructions; Must pass a background check.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence

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