Examples of Duties

• Collects and prepares evidence, clothing and specimens for lab examination; and preserves, stores and discards evidence, clothing and specimens as directed or according to established procedures.
• Receives, identifies, releases and moves deceased persons from refrigeration storage; and prepares deceased persons for autopsy exam and final disposition.
• Assists pathologist in performing medico-legal autopsies to include the opening and closing of deceased persons and the removal of internal organs.
• Prepares for transport, bodies containing contagious or infectious diseases.
• Serves as witness in Coroner cases as required.
• Maintains morgue and autopsy room in a clean, sanitary and orderly manner; cleans and sterilizes equipment; and checks for proper ventilation and condition of equipment.
• Completes daily logs and activity reports.

• Surgical instruments, equipment, supplies and procedures used to assist a pathologist in performing medico-legal autopsy examinations.
• Basic anatomy, physiology, dissection, and medical terminology.
• Rules of evidence regarding chain of custody and methods to preserve and safeguard evidence.
• Applicable laws and regulations, health and safety codes and precautions for handling and preparing deceased persons and for contagious disease control.
• Modern cleaning and disinfection methods and practices of cleaning floors, walls and fixtures.

• Operate and maintain surgical instruments, equipment and supplies when assisting in performing medico-legal autopsy examinations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and keep accurate records.
• Process and preserve deceased persons for autopsies.
• Follow written and oral instructions of a technical nature.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:
Two years of nursing, mortuary or laboratory pathology experience which has led to the acquisition of a working knowledge of human anatomy/physiology, autopsy procedures/ equipment, and methods of removing organs or preparing bodies for mortuary.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work with bodies of deceased persons to include those associated with traumatic deaths and those infested with insects and vermin.
• Tolerate unpleasant odors such as those from decomposed bodies and preservative chemicals.
• Successfully pass a complete background investigation which will include a polygraph examination.
• Work flexible hours, shifts, weekends, holidays, and be subject to call back duty, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Possess a valid California Class C driver license.

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions