Autopsy Assistant

Job Description

Sanford is a global defense solution provider based in Virginia, working with the U.S. government and its allies to deliver comprehensive solutions with a focus on effectiveness and security.  
Through all the strategic business units, Sanford delivers defense solutions and provides professional services, construction & infrastructure, and security & military products & services.

Job title:   Autopsy Assistant

Location:  San Francisco, CA

Job Overview:

Sanford is currently seeking a full time Autopsy Assistant to perform complete post-mortem examinations as per SF VAHCS guidelines and standard operating procedures to include external examination including removal and dissection of visceral organs, brain, spinal cord, tissue samples and body fluid for further evaluations and to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease. To support the San Francisco VA Health Care System.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform complete post-mortem examinations as per SF VAHCS guidelines and Standard operating procedures to include external examination including removal and dissection of visceral organs, brain, and spinal cord in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or anatomic variation.
• Collects appropriate post-mortem tissue samples and body fluids for further evaluations. Correlates the gross pathology with the patient's clinical presentation, presents the findings to the pathologist, produces comprehensive written descriptions of the gross external and internal findings, selects, and collects appropriate sections for microscopic examination and archives. The incumbent assures all necessary documentation, including proper autopsy authorization, is present. Prepares the autopsy suite including selection of appropriate instruments, devices, containers, solution, and other equipment. Responsible for maintenance of a clean area, including instruments, equipment, clothing and proper asepsis for performing autopsies. Carries out a full variety of technical autopsy procedures such as primary incisions, removal of breastbone, skullcap, brain, and brain and other organs as directed. The incumbent weighs and places the organs in the appropriate solutions or containers. Closes the body, replacing organs.
• Weigh specimens according to standard protocol and/or as requested, record weights and place specimens in fixative in properly labeled containers for future use. Transport tissues to cutting area for blocking by residents. Use aseptic techniques to obtain cultures from organs as needed and takes to the lab for analysis.
• Close and clean the body neatly and sees that it is ready to be released in good condition and with no visible disfigurement that would prevent an open-casket funeral.
• Prepares the body for pickup by a funeral home, orders special studies. Lay out proper tools for prescribed autopsy procedure, prepare and position the body.
• Checks the identity of the body and confirms the limitations to the autopsy, if any.
• Clean and decontaminate the morgue and the laboratory area, sharpening and cleaning of instruments, and replenishment of supplies. Must have a thorough understanding of chemical safety and biosafety principles and procedures.
• Discard/dispose all specimens, dispose of hazardous wastes in the prescribed manner, and pack specimens and other material for shipment to outside laboratories.
• Receive human corpses for storage in the morgue, check identity and Assist the Decedent Affairs to release bodies to morticians and Appropriate.
• Check morgue refrigerator for any specimens and brings up to cutting room as needed. Perform troubleshooting requiring good judgment, such as Calling the relevant clinicians and/or alerting the attending pathologist, in case of discrepancies in the specimens received or missing paperwork.
• Prepare and clean corpses for viewing by families when requested. Must have thorough familiarity with the relevant laws and regulations regarding patient deaths, funeral arrangements, and medical examiner cases.
• Accessing of all specimens using hospital computer system (VISTA) and gross examination of biopsy specimens. Complies with the guidelines of CLIA CAP and VA regulatory.
• Takes responsibility for Accessioning, storing, preserving, routing, or holding specimens, slides, and blocks, and their delivery or arrangement for weekly organ demonstrations in the Pathology Service and other teaching conferences. Keep complete and accurate records of materials shipped to other agencies and laboratories.
• The candidate assists in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and ordering of autopsy supplies, conference preparation and photography of autopsy specimens. Position and photograph specimens independently and with proper labeling.
• Implements chemical safety and biosafety principles and procedures. Observes and follows all established safety and universal precautionary policies and procedures. Performs any other duties as required or assigned by the lab supervisor. Responsible for proper VHA records retention and disposition requirements and coordinates with Anatomic Pathology program Specialist.
• Coordinates with Decedent Affairs Specialist for tissue banking requests and the medical center when necessary.
• Successfully complete annual competency assessments.
• Responsible for maintaining the Autopsy work area in a clean environment appropriate for Autopsy Section with previous work experience performing autopsies.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and diplomatically with a wide range of customers, including pathology residents, pathology attendings, pathology staff, clinical residents, clinical attendings, clinical staff, nurses, students, decedent affairs officer, safety and biosafety officers, custodians, mortuary personnel, and the medical examiner's office.
• Must have thorough familiarity with normal and abnormal human anatomy and the ability to make informed judgments about the need to obtain the opinion or assistance of the pathologist in case of unexpected findings. Must be able to utilize the appropriate methods and/or equipment to prevent/minimize exposure to various, infectious agents, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis viruses, and HIV.

Work Schedule:

The candidate will work 40 hours per week. The usual schedule will be from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Qualifications/ Experience:

License: Candidate shall have a bachelor’s degree in laboratory science technology, biology, or chemistry. All licenses held by Candidate shall be full and unrestricted licenses.

Technical Proficiency: Candidate shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the  requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. Candidate shall provide documents upon request to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification, and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment, and/or services performed. Candidate shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history, and Candidate shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.

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