Forensic Morgue Aide

Forensic Morgue Aide

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

The Forensic Morgue Aide provides clerical support in the HCIFS morgue by reviewing and verifying documents, assisting families and funeral homes with decedent release, retrieving and releasing decedents from coolers, maintaining decedent inventory counts, and providing other support as needed in the morgue.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides general clerical support in the morgue as needed / directed
• Handles incoming / outgoing phone calls with funeral homes, decedent families, and Department staff
• Reviews all release documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Completes primary and secondary verification of information as entered into the Department's case management system
• Retrieves decedents from morgue coolers and verifies identification bands to facilitate decedent release. Handles the release of decedent personal property to family or funeral home
• Maintains daily decedent inventory count
• Ensures decedent fingerprints are taken prior to release and takes decedent fingerprints to facilitate release as needed
• Maintains cleanliness of work areas and assists with daily laundry responsibilities

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements:

• All applicants must register and take the HRT Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85% with a typing speed of 45 wpm and 85% accuracy.
• High School Diploma or GED completion
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Must pass the HRRM Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85% with a typing speed of 45 wpm and 85% accuracy.
• Must pass criminal background check and drug/alcohol screening (prior to and randomly during employment)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Professional demeanor in dealing with a diverse set of outside callers and coworkers; desire to make customer service a priority
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with pathologists, decedent family members, funeral home staff, law enforcement, and medical/legal audiences
• Follow all morgue and safety procedures in the handling and release of decedent remains, assuring that chains of custody aren't breached, and confidentiality and integrity of information are maintained
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office

Note: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish

General Information:

• Register Online for the HRT Clerical Skills Test using the following link:
• Position Type, and Typical Hours of Operation: Full time | 40 hrs. per week. Work week will include weekends and holidays
• Work Environment: Morgue setting
• Potential Exposures: Contact with dead bodies, blood, other bodily fluids and organs on constant basis. May come into contact with blood borne pathogens. Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals. Exposure to unpleasant odors and/or loud noises
• Physical Demands: Heavy work. Requires physical strength to facilitate the movement of decedents, 200 pounds and over, from the cooler to the release area. Requires the use of a manual forklift / body lift. Requires long periods of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and bending
• Reports to: Director, Morgue & Histology

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.