What are the responsibilities and job description for the Anatomical Embalmer, Willed Body Program position at UT Southwestern Medical Center?
Why UT Southwestern?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. At UT Southwestern, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development that align with your future goals and help to provide security for you and your family. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more that are all available on the day you start work. UT Southwestern is honored to be a Veteran Friendly work environment that is home to approximately 800 veterans. We value your integrity, dedication, and the commitment you’ve made to our country. We’re proud to support your next mission. Ranked by Forbes as one of the Top 10 National Employers, we invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth.
Job Summary
UT Southwestern Medical Center is hiring for an Anatomical Embalmer, Willed Body Program.
The Willed Body Program (WBP) at UT Southwestern is one of the largest in the United States. It has operated almost since the beginning of the medical school in the late 1940’s. The WBP operates within the regulatory framework of the State Anatomical Board and beginning in 2024, the Funeral Services Commission of the State of Texas. The program supplies cadavers and anatomical specimens for students in the School of Medicine and School of Allied Health Sciences at U.T. Southwestern and for other medical schools in Texas as well as in other states. The program’s anatomical embalmers prepare the anatomical specimens for medical research and education. Including embalming of cadavers and anatomical tissue, and processing of fresh anatomical cadavers and tissue. Duties include the proper processing, storing, and disposal of cadavers used in anatomical teaching. Speaking and meeting with families and medical staff to obtain additional information to complete first call sheet, death certificate and cremation forms for donors. May answers any questions families may have. Will also be responsible for making removals of donors from hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences both within and outside metroplex. Assists in maintenance of accurate records relating to receipt, issuance, and disposal of cadavers as required. Maintains accurate records for blood testing of all donors. Assists faculty members in preparation for anatomy classes as requested and all other internal department courses held in the gross laboratory.
Experience and Education
- Completion of two (2) years of college to include courses in biology, chemistry, or related subjects, graduation from accredited school of mortuary science, and licensure as Embalmer required
- Two (2) years full-time experience in embalming practices preferred
- Funeral director license and funeral director experience preferred
Job Duties
- Participates in embalming, storage, and disposal of cadavers used in anatomical teaching
- Participates in preparation of prosected teaching materials and anatomical demonstration and preparation and storage of body specimens
- Prepares packages for shipping of specimen(s) to outside institutions and prepares prosected teaching material for university courses
- Clean dissecting tables and tanks, cadaver storage cooler and freezer, and mortuary equipment
- Prepares cadavers and anatomical tissues for cremation in accordance with manner prescribed by State Anatomical Board
- Meets and/or contacts next-of-kin to obtain additional information to complete first call sheet, death certificate or cremation forms, and report of death; answers any questions family may have
- Picks-up and transports donors to Willed Body Program from hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences both within and outside metroplex when in on-call status
- Makes on-the-spot decisions with respect to acceptance of deceased donors who do not have will form on file with Willed Body Program, ensuring that prescribed criteria have been met before accepting donated remains
- Assists in maintenance of accurate records relating to receipt, issuance, and disposal of cadavers as required by State Anatomical Board; maintains accurate records for blood testing of all donors
- Cremates cadavers from other institutions in area accordance with manner prescribed by State Anatomical Board.
- Assists faculty members in preparation for anatomy classes as requested and all other internal department courses held in gross laboratory
To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
To learn more, please visit: https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/why-work-here/diversity-inclusion
