Forensic Technician

Title Code: 5132 

Occ. Group:  

Forensic Technician

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values. An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;
RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;
DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;
EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;
EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Definition 

Employees in this class are under general supervision. Work performed in assisting with duties associated with autopsies within the morgue; and performing other related work as assigned

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Trains new employees.

Instructs medical students and residents in forensic related studies.

Serves as OSHA Coordinator for the Pathology Department.

Provides occasional on-call status for Forensic Pathologist when needed.

Assists in acquiring toxicology and microbiology samples.

Creates back-up copies and prints digital photographs taken during forensic investigation and autopsy.

Maintains and repairs equipment and instruments used in the morgue.

Arranges the transport of bodies to and from the forensic morgue with funeral homes, EMS and independent body transport personnel.

Cleans and arranges the morgue to enable autopsies to be performed in a timely manner.

Assists the Pathologist on-call in performing autopsies.

Maintains inventory and stock of supplies in morgue.

Disposes wet and frozen tissues collected during autopsies when released for disposal.

Disposes all biohazard waste produced by the morgue facility.

Informs Public Safety Office of the status of bodies in the morgue.

Assists in the release of evidence to the appropriate agency/person(s).

Logs temperatures of the controlled environment area.

Disposes retained evidence deemed unneeded by appropriate agency.

Assists in cleaning and supplying equipment and instruments.

Assists in obtaining information from various agencies.

Orders and maintains linens and scrubs for physicians and staff.

Assists in retrieving various materials, i.e., medical records, x-rays, as needed by the Pathologist.

Returns driver’s license and identification cards retrieved from deceased person to designated agency.

Performs other work as assigned. 

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of Forensic Pathology.

Knowledge of basic chemicals.

Knowledge of purchasing, inventorying and preparing laboratory materials.

Knowledge of mechanical equipment.

Knowledge of computers.                              

Ability to move or lift heavy objects.

Ability to operate a digital camera.

Ability to evaluate situations, resolve problems and understand detailed instructions and guidelines.

Ability to handle laboratory chemicals safely.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with internal and external agencies.

Recommended Qualifications

Applicants possessing these qualifications have a good probability for success in this class. However, applicants not possessing these qualifications should apply if they believe their training and experience will enable them to perform the work successfully. Graduation from a standard high school required.

  Date         Skill         Eval            
6/8/2006     10          644133432

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.