About the position
The Morgue Specialist position at Bexar County involves working under direct supervision to manage the reception and logging of bodies of decedents, as well as associated evidence and property. The role requires assisting in the preparation of decedents and organ/body fluid specimens for postmortem examinations. The Morgue Specialist is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the morgue, including all equipment and materials. This position also involves entering data related to decedents and their evidence into a computer system, ensuring that all specimens and property are stored securely, and arranging for the release of bodies after examinations are completed. The Morgue Specialist will perform various related duties as required, contributing to the overall functioning of the morgue and supporting the needs of the medical examiner's office. Key responsibilities include receiving, photographing, tagging, and appropriately storing decedents along with their associated evidence, valuables, and personal effects. The specialist will undress, wash, weigh, measure, and photograph decedents in preparation for autopsy examinations. They will assist in the opening of abdominal, thoracic, and cranial cavities during autopsies, as well as remove, weigh, and measure organ and fluid specimens. The role also requires closing postmortem incisions using surgical needles and sutures, ensuring proper storage of decedents until their release, and processing x-rays of bodies and specimens. Additionally, the Morgue Specialist will fingerprint decedents prior to their release and confirm that adequate identification photographs have been taken. The position demands a high level of organization and attention to detail, as the Morgue Specialist will maintain an inventory of evidence and property in a secure environment, ensuring the protection and preservation of the chain of custody. They will also be responsible for cleaning and maintaining autopsy trays, surgical instruments, equipment, body coolers, and morgue work areas. The Morgue Specialist may be required to testify in court regarding the procedures for handling, inventorying, and maintaining decedents and evidence held in custody. This role is critical in supporting the operations of the morgue and ensuring that all processes are conducted in accordance with health and safety standards.
Responsibilities
- Receives, photographs, tags and appropriately stores decedents along with associated evidence, valuables and personal effects.
- Undresses, washes, weighs, measures and photographs decedents in preparation for autopsy examination.
- Assists in opening abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities during autopsy and removes, weighs and measures organ and fluid specimens.
- Closes postmortem incisions utilizing surgical needles and sutures and ensures proper storage of decedents until release.
- Performs and processes x-rays of bodies and specimens.
- Fingerprints decedents prior to release, using specialized fingerprinting techniques as required and confirms adequate identification photographs were taken.
- Obtains, labels and transports specimens to Toxicology section.
- Enters data regarding decedents evidence and personal effects into the computer system.
- Maintains inventory of evidence and/or property in a secure environment ensuring the protection and preservation of the chain of custody.
- Inventories medications of decedents and secures them appropriately.
- Maintains recovered osteological and skeletal specimens under appropriate conditions and security.
- Contacts funeral homes regarding release and pick up of decedents.
- Cleans and maintains autopsy trays, surgical instruments and equipment, body coolers, and the morgue work areas.
- Receipts funds from decedents buried under the County's pauper burial program, when required.
- May testify in a court of law regarding procedures of handling, inventory and maintenance of decedents, evidence and/or property held in custody.
Requirements
- Graduation from High School or General Education Development (GED) certificate and two (2) years general office and administrative experience; additional education in a related field may be submitted for experience.
- Degree in mortuary science or experience working in a funeral home setting preferred.
- Knowledge of human anatomy; knowledge of and skill in the utilization of radiological techniques; knowledge of health and safety standards and practices; knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet software; knowledge of basic office procedures.
- Skill in filing and organizing of material; skill in operating personal computer and basic office equipment.
- Ability to understand and follow instruction and strict operating procedures; ability to maintain records; ability to compile data and organize reports; ability to communicate with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County employees, outside agencies and the public.
- Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation.
- Must secure and maintain a pre-employment physical and drug screening.
Nice-to-haves
- Additional education in a related field may be submitted for experience.
- Experience working in a funeral home setting preferred.
