Autopsy Assistant

Responsibilities

Assists pathologists, pathologists' assistants, and pathologists-in-training (residents and student fellows), and trains entering residents and year-out student fellows the performance of evisceration techniques in postmortem examinations. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Performs body incisions and evisceration of organs during postmortem examinations. Delivers specimens for special studies. Prepares and expedites delivery of cadaver to funeral director. Institutes universal precautions, especially during infectious cases, as prescribed by Autopsy Procedure Manual. Obtains consent forms, charts, and necessary paperwork for each patient to be autopsied. Sets up dissection area with instruments and specimen containers. Retrieves autopsy consent and charts from the Admitting Office. Notifies prosecutor of autopsy by page or phone call. Completes administrative work throughout autopsy, including logging, tracking, and processing paperwork/copies. Sets up autopsy room and tolls needed for autopsy. Removes body from the cooler, puts on autopsy table, and assists with providing gross examination, including specimen samples. Cleans and returns body to cooler. Cleans autopsy table and instruments. Responsible for general cleanliness of autopsy suite, including all tables, sinks, and counter tops. Keeps all items stocked in morgue room, including all PPE, gloves, aprons, and face shields. Copies and restocks work sheets, etc. as needed. Keeps full decal supply at trim areas. Keeps trim areas stocked with basic instruments, including scalpel handles, scissors, forceps, probes, rulers, towels, ink, small empty specimen containers, and scalpel blades. Cleans up and disinfects morgue after every prosecution, organ review, and conference. Requests special assistance with floors, etc., as needed. Cleans cooler after spills. Restocks spill kit for after-hours and weekends. Serves as liaison to administrative assistant for technology issues. Rinses brains, readies COW's, and collects and readies administrative and storage needs and remains available for Brain Cutting and Autopsy conferences. Prepares and expedites cadaver for delivery to funeral director. Maintains equipment, including requesting inspections and service as needed. Keeps maintenance and temperature logs. Institutes precautions as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual during infectious cases. Stores and handles chemicals involved in safe manner as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Maintains supplies and ensures prosecution instruments are sharp and in good working condition. Arranges for scheduled instrument sharpening bi-annually. Collects and delivers tissue for incineration in approved manner, as prescribed by autopsy procedure manual. Picks up placentas from the Obstetrics department for cremation purposes. Verifies identification tags and tags indicating specimen for cremation. Maintains logs of autopsy cases, bodies delivered to funeral directors, and organs for disposal and assists with coordinating specimens saved for specimen museum. Readies bodies for family viewing on an as needed basis. Monitors disposition of bodies stored in the cooler on a daily basis. Checks body identifications with log book at the beginning and end of each day. Contacts appropriate people at the funeral home and/or unit if a discrepancy occurs. Maintains and picks scrubs up from laundry for use by Neuropathology and Autopsy Pathology faculty, prosecutors, and technicians. Assists funeral director with body removals. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Associate's degree in biological science with anatomy background required or 1 year autopsy assistant experience required Or equivalent combination of education and experience The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.