Forensic Autopsy Technician - Tacoma, United States - Pierce County, WA

Description

Salary: $ $39.89 Hourly

Location : Tacoma, WA

Job Type: Career Service - Full Time

Job Number:

Department: Medical Examiner

Division: Medical Examiner-Operations

Opening Date: 04/16/2024

Closing Date: 4/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

This position is an on-site position and does not have remote work options.

Position Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to work as a 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. The Forensic Autopsy Technician is responsible for assisting the forensic pathologists with photographs, x-rays, fluid draws, evisceration, evidence collection, and other tasks related to the forensic examination of a body. The Forensic Autopsy Technician makes 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.

Why It's a Great Department:
You will join a team of highly experienced Forensic Autopsy Technicians currently on staff, and work under the supervision of a dedicated technical team supervisor. We function as a team to provide professional, thorough, consistent, impartial, and independent forensic examinations and medicolegal death investigations. 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 LodoxTM full-body radiography machine, with plans to implement computed tomography (CT) in the near future, and 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

How to be Successful in the Role:
Bring your knowledge of forensic science and human anatomy along with motivation, attention to detail, and a strong positive team-oriented attitude, 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. If you have experience with autopsy procedures, working in a pathology laboratory, or working with law enforcement forensics, you will be a step ahead. 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 the (hopefully) unlikely event of a mass disaster or other fatality surge.

Your Future in this Role:
You will be trained by a team of skilled and knowledgeable Forensic Autopsy Technicians and will have access to nationwide training opportunities. You will be given significant responsibility to assist with forensic autopsies and external examinations, including the use of sharp instruments, specialized equipment, and handling items of evidentiary value. Employees take part in continuing education opportunities.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Ensure proper handling, transfers, labeling, and storage of histological specimens (tissue, blocks, slides).
• Perform computer data entry and retrieval.
• Prepare and file medicolegal evidence forms and maintain records and data of work performed.
• Clean and maintain work areas. Do laundry and related activities. Implement safety and biohazard control measures and recordkeeping.
• Mix, handle, store, and dispose of chemicals.
• 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.
• Routinely and safely lift and carry heavy objects, including the moving of dead bodies.
• Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position.
• Other duties as assigned.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found
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.
• One or more years' experience assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Photography experience with use of DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
• Full competency in using both the Rokitansky and Virchow evisceration techniques without additional training is highly desired.
• Skill in objective observation.
• Effective communication skills - verbal and written.

Special Requirements:

• 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 resume and a letter of interest highlighting why you're interested in this position. Not attaching both will result in an incomplete application.

Job Details:

• Physical location: 3619 Pacific Avenue Tacoma, WA 98418
• Salary: $31.68-$39.89 per hour

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
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:
• 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 , at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:

New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.

01

How many years of training in a medical related discipline or related scientific field do you have?

• None
• Some to less than 1 years
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

02

How many years of experience do you have assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

03

If you do not meet the minimum experience requirement in previous questions, do you have any additional education or related experience that you wish to substitute for the minimum recruiting requirements?

• Yes
• No

04

If yes to the above, please specifically describe the type of experience, training, and/or education, that you believe would qualify you for this position. If you've already met the minimum requirements in Questions 1. and 2. type "N/A".

05

After closely reviewing the job announcement, please describe in your best words why you would be a great candidate for this role. Highlight any relevant plans examining work you have done.

06

Please attach a current resume/CV and brief letter describing your interest in this position. Not attaching both will result in an incomplete application.Did you include your resume/CV and your letter of interest?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing to work weekends, holidays or other irregular hours?

• Yes
• No

Required Question