Autopsy Technician - FT/Days

Autopsy Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Autopsy Technician position assists pathologists/residents/pathology assistants in performing autopsy procedures. Responsibilities for this position include processing and preparing bodies for autopsy procedures appropriately, including the proper receipt, transport (when applicable) and release of bodies as indicated; and supporting other Anatomic Pathology lab functions by performing uncomplicated laboratory procedures that involve single-step processes. Other duties for the Autopsy Technician position include accurately processing, organizing, labeling and transporting specimens for laboratory testing; and inputting and extracting data from the laboratory computer system for autopsy and surgical purposes. This position follows established procedures set forth by Houston Methodist, Medicare and other regulatory agencies.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED

Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
• INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
• COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
• RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
• EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
• Practices the Caring and Serving Model
• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience
• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job
• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares the bodies received in the morgue for the autopsy procedure.
• Hand delivers specimens that cannot be sent through the pneumatic tube system. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.
• Follows up with physician offices when outpatient laboratory testing has been requested without a narrative diagnosis or ICD-10 code. Prints reports and mails to appropriate person once the Authorization of Release of Information form has been complete by the Outpatient Laboratory staff or Medical Records.
• Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Scans requisitions as appropriate and accesses and utilizes the imaging system for requisition verification and laboratory results. Files requisitions, reports and other pathology materials appropriately. Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.
• Organizes workload and sets priorities. Keeps work area neat, clean and well stocked. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Processes specimens, aliquots, and/or slides/blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories. Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Labels all aliquots and/or slides/blocks carefully and stores processed specimens at proper temperature.
• Accurately processes and completes all necessary paperwork (consent forms, medical records chart, etc.) and computer work associated with each autopsy.
• Ensures data is thorough and accurately entered to include appropriate footnotes, comments, order priorities, physician names, patient location, collection information, etc. Distinguishes institutional accounts from regular patient accounts. Footnotes all calls made and faxes sent in the Laboratory Information System using the appropriate template. Maintains daily log of work performed.
• Recognizes problem occurrences, identifies causes, and takes corrective action to solve basic problems. Consults with coordinator or manager if no present criteria are available.
• Performs limited testing, equipment maintenance, and/or quality control under supervision.
• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.
• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in departmental projects activities, and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Degree in Forensic or Mortuary Science preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year of experience in working as an autopsy tech/diener
• Basic anatomy training
• Previous data entry experience preferred

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going evaluations consisting of one or more of the following: skills, competency assessments and/or performance reviews
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Demonstrates knowledge in all established autopsy and care after death procedures: to include basic anatomy, organ prosection, transport and release of bodies, and other functions as indicated
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of specimen requirements for testing such as serum, plasma or whole blood, tissue and body fluids
• Demonstrates knowledge of different specimen collection containers and media to assist in the distribution of supplies to patients, physician offices, nursing units and patient care areas
• Demonstrates knowledge of using the patient information system to accurately register patients, inlab specimens, or order tests as indicated on the requisition
• Possesses basic computer knowledge to operate multiple computer systems to include Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster