Autopsy Technician

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Job Title: Autopsy Technician
Department/Division: Coroner
Reports to: Lead Deputy Coroner
Supervises: n/a
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade: 125
Employee Group: Non-Bargaining
Revision Date: January 2025

Minimum Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Health or Mortuary Science, Anatomy, Forensics, or a related field of study, Bachelor’s degree preferred OR any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Minimum Experience: Two years of experience in a morgue, hospital, mortuary, or related facility that includes the handling of human remains OR any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Minimum Certifications:

• ABMDI (American Board of Medical Legal Medicolegal Death Investigators) to be obtained within 12 months of initial hire date
• Washington State Certification to be obtained within 12 months of initial hire date

Other Requirements: Valid Washington State driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position performs a variety of well-defined procedures in processing complex cases requiring advanced forensic techniques and assists the Forensic Pathologist in conducting medicolegal autopsies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Receives, documents and releases decedents undergoing medicolegal autopsies into/from the morgue and transports bodies to/from morgue and to/from autopsy suite.
• Assists investigators with scene investigations as required.
• Assists forensic personnel in photographing of wounds, injuries, and distinguishing body characteristics.
• Assists in the collection of trace evidence and in the maintenance of the chain of custody of all evidence collected.
• Assists with proper collection and storage of body fluids for chemical tests, the retrieval of appropriate tissues for specific tests and the removal of foreign bodies and material for evidentiary purposes.
• Labels specimen containers and transfers tissues for microscope examination; prepares and files slides.
• Informs investigators and detectives of the scheduled time for postmortem examinations when law enforcement or other agencies have an interest in the death.
• Prepares a variety of written documents by compiling and organizing necessary information and logically composing text; uses appropriate computer software programs to facilitate accurate and effective communication, reporting, and record keeping.
• Attends postmortem examinations and assists the Forensic Pathologist in the weighing of organs and collection/delivery of toxicology, histology, and microbiology specimens to the appropriate laboratory.
• Cleans and restores body to its former state of integrity for release, disposes of tissues according to established procedures, and collects and stores tissues in fixed or fresh condition, as appropriate.
• Cleans autopsy suite and autopsy instruments making sure they are in proper working order after completion of the medicolegal autopsy.
• Ensures maintenance of an adequate stock of necessary equipment and supplies related to area of assignment.
• Practices appropriate safety, environmental and or infectious control methods.
• Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Goals and objectives of the Benton County Coroner's Office.
• Modern forensic, pathological, and laboratory principles and practices.
• Medical terminology and anatomy.
• Statutory requirements pertinent to coroners/medical examiners.
• Photographic and x-ray procedures.
• Laboratory procedures.
• Universal precautions and safety guidelines.
• Policies and procedures of the County.

Skill in:

• Fingerprinting cadavers and identifying traumatic wounds.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

Ability to:

• Work in close proximity to bodily fluids, wastes, and human remains in various stages of decomposition, which may include odors, biological/chemical agents, and communicable disease.
• Write reports containing technical information.
• Manipulate heavy objects.
• Maintain quality, safety and or infectious controlled standards.
• Learn rules of evidence regarding chain of custody and methods to preserve and safeguard evidence.
• Investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Establish and maintain affective working relationships with family members, medical officials, representatives of law enforcement and court systems.
• Read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work requires occasional exposure to unusual elements such as toxic chemicals, bio and biohazardous materials.
• Will work in a death environment with almost constant exposure to noxious odors.
• Will work with blood or blood borne pathogens and will be required to follow quality and safety and/or infection control standards.
• Work will require the use of personal protective equipment.
• Work may involve exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, and or loud noise.
• Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,828.80 - $88,004.80 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Kennewick, WA 99336 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kennewick, WA 99336: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $67,829 - $88,005