Job Summary:

Within the context of a client and family centered care model and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, under general supervision, performs various morgue duties such as preparing autopsy stations, retrieving cadavers and verifying identification.  Under the direction of the Pathologist, assists in the performance of autopsies and organ preservation.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Prepares autopsy station by performing duties such as placing appropriate autopsy instruments onto morgue table thereby ensuring that all required instruments are present for autopsy and places supplies such as sponges, gloves and thread in appropriate area.

2. Retrieves body from storage area, matches name and pre-assigned autopsy number to logbook to ensure that correct body is being removed for autopsy.  Places body on morgue table and unwraps shroud in preparation of evisceration.

3. As directed by the Pathologist, eviscerates body and removes organs by performing duties such as making incisions in order to retrieve organs.

4. Sews up cadaver as directed by the Pathologist, cleans body with disinfectant, wraps in shroud, ensure identification tags are attached to shroud, and places in cold storage.

5. Labels specimens as directed by Pathologist, places in cassette with autopsy numbers, and places in storage for examination by Pathologist.

6. Preserves organs such as brains, lungs and spinal cord, as directed by Pathologist, by performing duties such as suspending brain and formalin solution in display case and recording on log sheet to chronicle placement organ.

7. As directed by the Coroner’s office, removes such items as teeth, hari and nails as required for toxicology testing, and sends to police once all required documentation is on file.

8. Arranges for viewing of bodies for physical identification purposes by placing body in viewing room, escorting family to the viewing room and completing all required documentation.

9. Supports pathology students and Residents as required by demonstrating techniques/procedures identified to meet their educational needs and answering student and resident queries.  Directs complex questions/queries to supervisor.

10. Cleans instruments by placing in disinfectant and cleans various areas of the morgue such as autopsy room, amphitheatre, and halls by washing down various equipment such as basins, body trays, sinks, floors and walls with disinfectant.

11. Maintains amphitheatre by placing supplies and instruments such as gloves, cassettes, scalpels, blades and knives onto dissection tables and disposes of waste tissue by placing into garbage container.

12. Prepares solutions such as formalin according to predetermined instructions for use in the preservation of organs.

13. Ensures that the morgue is secure by performing duties such as locking doors and turning off elevator.

14. Books and releases bodies as required by performing duties such as recording demographics, creating deceased files, taking face shots and ensuring all relevant documentation such as fingerprints are located within the file; records all personal effects in file, collects personal effects, places in bag, attaches identification number, and places in locked drawer.

15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience
Grade 12, completion of anatomy courses plus one year’s recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge & Abilities
Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
Ability to deal effectively with others.
Physical ability  to perform the duties of the position
Ability to organize work.
Ability to operate related equipment.

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee or an employee benefit upon receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**