Join the Weld County Coroner/Medical Examiner team (Greeley, CO) in one of the nation's fastest growing counties, working in a new and fully equipped morgue and autopsy suite.

Part-Time, 20 hours or less per week

Under the supervision of the Medical Examiner, assist in the performance of forensic autopsies, including making incisions, collecting, and documenting bodily specimens and evidence, and closing the body after the autopsy.

Independently prepare fingerprint cards for identification; take detailed photographs and obtain limited-scope digital x-ray images of the body to assist the Medical Examiner in the determination of the manner and cause of death.

Under the supervision of the Chief Deputy Coroner and Morgue Manager, assume principal responsibility for the management of the morgue and autopsy suite, including the registration and inventory of bodies, personal property, and medications; oversee the care and maintenance of the autopsy facility and its equipment, assuring that supplies are ordered, and equipment is serviced, as needed. Keep detailed computer records associated with morgue operation.

The position is part-time, less than 20 hours per week, with occasional weekend work possible, and reports to the Chief Deputy Coroner and Morgue Manager. No direct supervision of other employees is required.

$27.37 - $34.62 per hour plus benefits (see benefits tab on the job posting) depending on relevant experience.

As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings. This range encompasses the nine pay steps available should you receive the position and demonstrate satisfactory performance over time.

Open Until Filled

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned (any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class).

Prepare for each autopsy, assuring the correct physical placement and positioning of the body; obtain appropriate pre-procedural photographs; obtain fingerprints, if so directed; assure the readiness of the supplies, paperwork, and equipment required to efficiently complete the autopsy.

Assist the medical examiner in opening and closing the body; physically handle organs and bodily specimens, with proper identification and documentation of specimens in a manner consistent with a lawful chain of custody; promptly submit specimens to outside laboratories or consultants for histology, toxicology, specialized identification procedures or other studies.

Inventory decedent property removed at autopsy; package and hand-deliver evidence to law enforcement personnel; catalog, package, and store non-evidentiary property, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.

When required, inventory decedent property following the admission of the decedent to the morgue, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner

When required, inventory decedent medications, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.

When required, release decedent and decedent property, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.

Maintain the morgue and autopsy suite in a consistent state of cleanliness and readiness; clean the equipment used for autopsies; schedule equipment for maintenance, repair, or replacement, as needed.

Oversee the physical and electronic lists of decedents admitted to and discharged from the morgue, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.

Assist with inventory of morgue and autopsy supplies, as needed.

Inventory and arrange for the destruction of medications and tissue, consistent with the policies of the Coroner/Medical Examiner.

At all times, observe all requirements for aseptic technique, infection control, and the proper use of personal protective equipment and other equipment designed to ensure the safety of all employees and visitors to the morgue and autopsy suite; report any discrepancies or dangerous conditions to the Chief Deputy Coroner, as needed.

Participate in preparation and exercises related to mass casualty events; be prepared to assist during actual mass casualty events, as required.

Perform other duties, as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED required; college degree in any field preferred.
• Formal coursework in medical terminology and anatomy strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Experience as a diener/autopsy assistant for forensic autopsies strongly preferred.
• Experience in autopsy and morgue management, including the care of equipment and ordering supplies, strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Basic to intermediate medical terminology.
• Basic to intermediate human anatomy.
• Intermediate knowledge of the chemical and biological hazards associated with the handling of human bodies, and the techniques commonly used to mitigate those hazards.
• Techniques required to safely lift or otherwise move human decedents.
• Procedures for the management of bodily specimens.
• The care and use of common morgue and autopsy-related equipment.
• Aseptic technique, infection control procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment in the morgue and autopsy suite.
• Ethical and legal standards governing the management of evidence, decedent photographs, property and medications is required.
• Word, Excel and other software programs to be used for the registration of decedents, the maintenance of equipment and the management of supply inventories.
• Basic inventory procedures for supplies and equipment used in an autopsy suite.

Required Abilities:

• Professionally deal with noxious substances by touch, sight and smell.
• Maintain composure and professionalism when confronted with tragic or abhorrent circumstances associated with medicolegal death investigation.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality required in medicolegal death investigation.
• Anticipate and prepare for the needs of the forensic pathologist in the performance of a forensic autopsy.
• Safely and respectfully handle a deceased human body in the morgue and autopsy setting and, when required, transport a decedent from one facility to another.
• Properly use the equipment and techniques necessary to fully function as a professional diener/autopsy technician for a forensic pathologist during autopsy.
• Obtain clear and useful digital photographs of decedents in the autopsy suite.
• Obtain fingerprints and other forms of potential identification from decedents.
• Obtain samples of bodily fluids for toxicology.
• Accurately catalogue and submit bodily specimens, inventory decedent property and properly handle items of evidence associated with forensic death investigation.
• Use Word, Excel and PDF software; use cell phones and two-way radios.
• Obtain or learn to obtain digital radiographs of decedents in the autopsy suite.
• Maintain collaborative professional relationships with coworkers, law enforcement personnel, visiting physicians, families of decedents, and other persons associated with death investigation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations and Other Requirements:

• Must have his/her own reliable transportation to and from work, with state-required liability insurance, before beginning employment.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license, without restrictions related to hours of driving or the use of interlock devices, or be able to obtain such a driver’s license within the first 30 days of employment.
• Willing and able to load and unload decedents, and transport them from one facility to another for autopsies or other purposes, using a county vehicle.
• Willing and able to transport specimens for purposes of histology preparation or laboratory testing using a county vehicle.
• Willing and able to learn proper techniques to obtain bodily fluids from decedents for toxicology testing.
• Willing and able to learn to obtain useful digital radiographs of decedents in the autopsy suite.
• Available and willing to begin job orientation and training within 30 days of the offer of employment

Physical Demands

• Acceptable eyesight to perform assigned duties; able to distinguish colors.
• Appropriate voice skills to be clearly understood at the autopsy table, on the phone and in public contacts.
• Acceptable hearing at the autopsy table, on the phone and in public contacts.
• Able to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time, and to walk up and down stairs.
• Able to lift, carry, drag, or push a body weight of 150 lbs., alone and with help.
• Must have fine and gross motor skills, hand dexterity, full use of fingers, hands, and arms, with good grip strength, to perform autopsy technician duties.
• Able to drive in difficult environmental conditions (including rain, snow and fog) at any time of the day or night.
• Able to work in hazardous or dangerous work areas or situations.
• Capable of working under stressful situations and while fatigued.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment for long periods of time, as required.
• Able and willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.