FORENSIC ATTENDANT
22418
Competitive

Distinguishing Features of the Class

This is an entry level, skilled position in the Medical Examiner's Office responsible for assisting with the in-processing and release of decedents. The work involves responsibility for answering the office phone, collection of preliminary case information upon death notification, database data entry and record scanning, case file maintenance and custodial maintenance in the morgue, garage and other areas. Due to the nature of the position, employees may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

• Answers and triages office phone calls and obtains preliminary information on death notification calls from various agencies and individuals in the community.

• Performs in-processing of decedents (including lifting and moving heavy bodies under difficult circumstances, undressing, height and weight measurements, photographs, fingerprints, etc.) and release of decedents to funeral directors.

• Collects femoral blood from the decedent at intake, packages, labels and creates specimen(s) as an item(s) in the database system.

• Assists forensic odontologists with dental charting of teeth and with taking dental radiographs.

• Runs errands, such as pick-up of bloods/specimens and records from area hospitals and health care facilities in a County vehicle.

• Documents and assists in maintaining custody of drugs, medications, property and valuables associated with specific case investigations.

• Assists in identification of the deceased by preparing the decedent for viewing.

• Performs general office duties such as database data entry, record scanning, case file set-up, filing, labeling and filing of microscopic slides and tissue blocks, and inventory.

• Performs custodial maintenance in the decedent processing and garage areas, stocks and cleans Medical Examiner's Office vehicles; stocks laundry; packages and prepares medical waste for removal and transfers documents in the confidential recycling bin from the 2^nd floor office to the garage removal bin.

• Checks accuracy and completeness of documents, forms presented for filing, recording or other administrative action.

• Maintains absolute confidentiality of all information pertaining to case material at the Medical Examiner's Office.

• Manages distribution and employee sign-off on radiation badges.

WHEN ASSIGNED TO THE ONONDAGA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

Participates in public health preparedness activities as trained and assigned.

Full Performance  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

• Good knowledge of proper grammatical usage, punctuation and spelling.
• Working knowledge of equipment and systems used in an office.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, especially when meeting with and talking with relatives and family members of deceased persons under trying circumstances.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate basic information clearly and courteously by telephone or in person.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, superiors and the public.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to maintain records.
• Basic computer skills.
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma plus EITHER:

1. One (1) year of paid full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in law enforcement, as a funeral director, or in an emergency medical service or related field such as, but not limited to, firefighter, paramedic, health care provider or ambulance attendant; OR

2. Two (2) years** of active volunteer experience in an organized volunteer or paid fire department or ambulance organization and either:  1.) successful completion of a course in typing or data entry; or 2.) six (6) months of paid full-time or its part-time equivalent experience involving typing or data entry on a computer style keyboard/terminal as a major function of the job; or

3. Completion of 12 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees in forensic science.

Note: **Two (2) years as a volunteer in an organized volunteer or paid fire department or ambulance organization means length in time in calendar years as an active member in good standing.  This does not have to be full-time experience.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT:

      When required to operate motor vehicles, employees must possess a valid Non-CDL or CDL with appropriate endorsements as required by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for the class of vehicle(s) being operated.

2/2022 Revised