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.

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.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED completion

Licensure:

• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass the HRRM Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85% clerical aptitude 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.

Language:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish

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.

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Health & Wellness Benefits
• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Savings Benefit
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: