Job Title: Autopsy Assistant

Location: VAMC Health Care, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121.

Duties & responsibilities:

• The Autopsy Assistant should weigh specimens according to standard protocol and/or as requested, record weights and place specimens in fixative in properly labeled containers for future use.
• The Autopsy Assistant should transport tissues to the cutting area for blocking by residents.
• The Autopsy Assistant should use aseptic techniques to obtain cultures from organs as needed and take them to the lab for analysis.
• The Autopsy Assistant should close and clean the body neatly and see that it is ready to be released in good condition and with no visible disfigurement that would prevent an open-casket funeral.
• The Autopsy Assistant should prepare the body for pickup by a funeral home, orders special studies.
• The Autopsy Assistant should lay out proper tools for prescribed autopsy procedure, prepare and position the body.
• The Autopsy Assistant should clean and decontaminate the morgue and the laboratory area, sharpening and cleaning of instruments, and replenishment of supplies.
• The Autopsy Assistant should discard/dispose all specimens, dispose of hazardous wastes in the prescribed manner, and pack specimens and other material for shipment to outside laboratories.
• The Autopsy Assistant should receive human corpses for storage in the morgue, check identity and Assist the Decedent Affairs to release bodies to morticians and Appropriate.

Qualifications & Education:

• Should have a bachelor’s degree in laboratory science technology, biology, or chemistry.
• All licenses held shall be full and unrestricted licenses.
• The Autopsy Assistant should provide documents upon request of the supervisor to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification, and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment, and/or services performed.
• Should provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history.
• Must have a thorough understanding of chemical safety and biosafety principles and procedures.
• The Autopsy Assistant should provide proof of the following tests:

1. Tuberculosis testing.
2. RUBELLA TESTING.
3. Osha regulation concerning occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Hours of work: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.