The Health Technician (Autopsy Assistant) is located within the Pathology and Laboratory Service and will be scheduled to perform autopsy duties Monday through Friday and rotate call on the weekends. The autopsy assistant is assigned to the Receiving Section and blood drawing team when not needed to perform the duties of the autopsy assistant.

Duties

Performance of Autopsies (25%) Assists and trains new pathologists, pathology residents and autopsy assistants (under supervision of the attending pathologist) in the safe techniques used to perform the gross autopsy, which is removing the brain and all of the internal organs. The incumbent carries out highly specialized technical procedures that require exact skills to prevent disfigurement of the facial and neck features of the deceased remains and to prevent damage to specimens that will be dissected. Opens the skull and removes the brain independently. Places the brain in formaldehyde and labels all autopsy body part containers with the pathologist's name and the autopsy number. Specimens for submission to the lab are labeled with the patient name, identification number, date and time (if applicable). Incumbent Independently removes the spinal cord, when requested. Opens or runs the Intestines and bowel and notifies the pathologist of any suspicious contents or abnormalities in the tissue. Operates equipment used in the performance of autopsies. Observes all safety rules and reports any safety violations observed by others working in the morgue. Management of Morgue, Frozen Section and Glassware (20%) Responsible for the overall operation of the morgue and frozen section rooms. Requests all supplies required to run the morgue and frozen section rooms. Prepares reagents used in morgue and frozen section rooms, Notifies resident when there is an autopsy to be performed. For each autopsy, incumbent ensures there is a satisfactory permit to do the autopsy, obtains the patient chart, and correctly logs the body in the morgue entry log and autopsy log. Attempts to contacts physicians or appropriate staff for any issues with autopsy consent and accompanying paperwork. Works with pathology resident to resolve all consent issues prior to the autopsy. Incumbent is responsible to keep all instruments sharp and in good repair and ensure all equipment is operational. Requests work orders for repair of any instrument or utility failure. Bags and identifies all tissues saved from autopsies and sends to storage. Cleans and stocks the frozen section room in surgical area, changes or filters the stains when a frozen section has been done. Operates the lab dishwasher to clean all glassware used in the clinical laboratory. Operates the autoclave to sterilize all the laboratory biological waste and tubes, vials, and instruments used in Virology and Microbiology. Tests washed glassware to ensure all soap residue is properly rinsed. Analyzes problems with glassware and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem. Checks resistivity meter and warning lights to ensure quality of water produced for use in the lab and used in the rinsing of glassware is adequate Checks refrigerators, cryostats, and all instruments to ensure proper function and temperatures. Phlebotomy and Specimen processing (55%) Performs phlebotomy procedures on both inpatients and outpatients for clinical laboratory testing. Uses computer to query patient demographics, laboratory test requests, test order status and test descriptions. Uses computer to order, delete or amend laboratory tests, build collection lists, print collection lists and labels, and log in collection of specimens. When performing phlebotomy duties, incumbent could spend up to eight hours a day intermittently using the computer which could amount to over 35% of the time actually on the computer and the rest performing phlebotomy. Uses centrifuges and other laboratory equipment and supplies to process specimens after collection. Sorts, aliquots and distributes specimens throughout the laboratory and to other hospital and referral labs. Picks up, preserves, measures, aliquots, and prepares for shipment all 24 hour urine collections. Stocks blood drawing and processing supplies in the receiving area and blood drawing room. Insures printers in receiving room and blood drawing room are functioning properly and replaces paper, labels and ribbons Instructs patients on proper collection of specimens for timed and random testing. Answers queries from physicians, nurses and other hospital staff regarding test requirements, processing instructions, test order status. Routes calls to the proper section of the lab Adheres to the hospital policy on confidentiality of patient information and laboratory policy on releasing patient results to the VA physician, nurse, or other authorized hospital staff appropriate to receive the information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30am Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Autopsy Assistant)/PD08859A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: blood drawing, specimen labeling, knowledge of human anatomy, skill in identifying or using surgical instruments, surgical assistance, operates equipment used in the performance of autopsies, observes all safety rules and reports any safety violations observed by others working in the morgue, administrative duties, analyzes problems with glassware and takes appropriate action to resolve the problem and performs phlebotomy procedures on both inpatients and outpatients for clinical laboratory testing. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Bachelor's degree or four years of study leading to such a degree with courses related to the occupation for one year of specialized experience (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Contacts

• Address Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201 US
• Name: Takhia Crawford
• Phone: 909-372-5409
• Email: [email protected]