OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER – MORGUE MANAGER

Minimum Qualifications

* This position works in is a high stress environment. Serious inquiries only.*

Acceptable Experience and Education
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in biomedical or forensic sciences, or related field plus five (5) years combination of education, training, and experience in an autopsy setting or related fields. Three (3) years supervisory or lead experience required.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Manages the day to day operations of the Morgue Division; monitors, prioritizes and makes decisions on daily work load and shift time schedules for the postmortem process/procedures in the autopsy suite; and oversees the management of forensic autopsy staff within the division;

Supervises the morgue employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, completing performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel;

Selects, motivates, and evaluates morgue staff; provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies;

Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the morgue operation work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures;

Accomplishes measurable results while leading team members;

Analyzes organizational structure and maintain alignment of department’s goals;

Plans and programs work commitments and schedules; monitor projects to ensure the most efficient use of resources;

Monitors stock supplies, inventory, and expenditures for morgue operations; submits needed supply list monthly or as needed to the Chief of Operations;

Prepares and presents various special and recurring reports;

Develops and maintains technical postmortem procedures and reporting procedures; monitors section and programs for compliance to policies, procedures, federal, state, and local requirements;

Develops, implements, and updates quality assurance program for reviewing autopsy suite operations for accuracy, completeness, and any necessary follow-up;

Performs best practice research; develops internal policies and procedures; creates forms; logs and records sheets;

Effectively manages multiple assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks and responsibilities;

Prepares reports on morgue operations to include recommendations for policy and procedural implementation;

Initiates actions to improve morgue operations, employee performance, morale, and work methods;

Receives decedents and ensures all are identified and tagged accurately and appropriately before and after examination;

Receives, identifies, transports, and moves decedents and associated personal property from walk-in cooler to examination area; follows chain of custody procedures;

Undresses, washes, weighs, measures and photographs decedents in preparation for postmortem examination; removes medical intervention from decedent;

Prepares, shoots, digital radiographs of decedents;

Assists in utilizing various techniques to ensure fingerprints are obtained on all cases;

Assists in the evisceration of abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities during postmortem examination; removes, weighs, and measures organ and collects biological specimens samples/evidence;

Assists the Chief Medical Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiners in all postmortem processes and procedures as directed;

Maintains recovered osteological and skeletal specimens under appropriate conditions and security prior to packaging and shipping remains for consultation;

Completes postmortem exams utilizing surgical needles to suture, clean, and fingerprint decedents and ensures chain of custody of decedents until release;

Decontaminates, sanitizes, and maintains, surgical instruments, and autopsy equipment;

Retains and ensures to utilize interdepartmental forms/log intended to collect, track, and evaluate any particulars regarding morgue operations.

Ensures that all morgue and witness forms are signed;

Ensures that only authorized personnel are permitted in Morgue area;

Allows for limited cross-training with Forensic Photographer as needed;

Provides support, mentors, transfers knowledge, and skills to staff at all technical levels in a team environment to meet established goals and objectives;

Participates in the Mass Disaster Plan for the Office of the Medical Examiner;

Oversees accountability for all decedents in custody;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Be available by telephone to respond to work beyond standard workday or workweek hours as necessary;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
Summary of Position
The Morgue Manager serves as the support operation for the morgue under direction of the Chief of Operations, manages the development of the morgue area, including oversight in production, quantity and quality of work activities. Work responsibilities extend to leading, planning, directing and controlling the efforts of the morgue team. The incumbent is responsible for scheduling and overseeing the daily operations of the division, supervising technical operations, and performing a variety of routine tasks and executes assignments related to the department needs.

Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: applicable Federal, State and Local laws, including Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures; accreditation and certification requirements in accordance with the National Association of Medical Examiners; National Incident Management Systems through Federal Emergency Management Agency; the principles and practices of effective employee supervision; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; medical and legal terminology; human anatomy and physiology; disease etiology procedures to take radiographs; mortuary science and funeral practices; including aseptic and antiseptic procedures; rules of evidence and of procedures to protect evidence and personal property; cameras and photographic procedures; collection of evidence and chain of custody; forensic photography and macro imaging; office techniques; procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; modern office procedures, methods, and various available computer equipment, software, supplies and maintenance services; principles of organization and administration; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications. Skill/Ability to: Utilize basic office equipment; use a computer to gather and analyze data; handle remains of deceased persons, including opening and closing bodies and assist the pathologist during any postmortem examinations; work effectively under unpleasant conditions; follow written and oral instructions;; wear Personal Protective Equipment and respirators; comply with departmental policies regarding blood-borne pathogens, radiation safety, biohazard and chemical exposure prevention, and other regulations and policies governing the operation of the Office of the Medical Examiner; comply with case confidentiality requirements of the department; work under adverse and/or hazardous conditions involving frequent exposure to scenes of sudden, unexpected and sometimes violent traumatic deaths of varying degrees in age, decomposed bodies, bodies with extensive physical injuries and all types of biohazards; determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations; maintain accurate records and document actions taken; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; follow written and oral instructions; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports, and staff studies; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; exercise initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in performance of daily duties; Pass a background check.
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:
· Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
· Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
· Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
· Maintain strict confidentiality;
· Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times and, maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence