Morgue Attendant
Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH)

Job Info

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GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT: Summarize the nature and level of work performed.

In the Department of Pathology, the Morgue Attendant works under general supervision of the Technical Operations Manager of Autopsy and Decedent Affairs. Performs Morgue reconciliation and general support tasks that are necessary for ensuring the continuity of the Morgue operations. Maintains Morgue equipment and facilities. Liaises with internal and external stakeholders regarding decedents and the morgue process. Under the direction of the supervisor, performs other support tasks as needed. Demonstrates excellent communication skills and is able to communicate with a variety of people in a direct, personable and articulate manner. The hospital Morgue has a capacity of 25 and receives approximately 1,450 adult and perinatal deaths annually.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation.

Morgue:

1. Functions as primary liaison and interactive member of the team for decedent inquiries from Nursing, Admitting, Funeral Homes, Medical Examiner, New England Donor Service, Security, Chaplaincy, Social Work, Patient and Family Relations, Clinicians, and Transport.

2. Receives notification of patient's death from nursing via the Epic paging system. Returns the page and reviews the postmortem checklist with the nurse providing postmortem care to ensure all steps have been completed. Assists with questions about the postmortem care process.

3. Facilitates receipt and release in the Morgue for BWH inpatients and outpatients, as well as private autopsy requests, and contracted hospitals.

4. Responsible for adult and perinatal remains accountability within the Morgue space. In some instances, will also be responsible for the accountability of surgical specimens allocated for removal by a funeral home or the medical examiner.

5. All identification tags and ID bands should be verified daily, and cross referenced with the Morgue Logbook.

6. All logout entries in the Morgue Logbook are verified using the Undertaker's Removal Slip.

7. Updates the Morgue chart in the cooler with the location of the decedents.

8. Any discrepancies or issues with the Morgue process should be documented and brought to the attention of the supervisor or director. May also be required to file safety reports.

9. Ensure patient belongings in the Morgue are kept with the decedent they belong to. Belongings are documented appropriately in the Morgue Logbook. Any belongings in the Morgue that do not belong to a decedent present in the Morgue must be placed in the Autopsy Suite for review by the Morgue Attendant and supervisor or director. Follow up with Patient Family Relations and the Cashier's office as needed.

10. Moving remains from tray or gurney as needed.

11. Provides additional postmortem care as needed.

12. Inventories remains and sends out notices for any long-term residents.

13. Ability to review and understand deceased paperwork. Keeps all morgue related documentation in an organized fashion, scanning the documentation at regular intervals.

14. Assistance is given to Nursing, Funeral Directors, Medical Examiner, Transport, and New England Donor Services with removal or acceptance of remains.

15. Triages phone calls, emails, and faxes appropriately. Provides assistance when needed about the morgue process.

16. Works closely with the Admitting Office and Autopsy Service. Reviews Epic and/or PowerPath data and decedent paperwork, to triage and answer questions about acceptance and release of remains.

17. Coordinates receipt and release of remains for BWH contracted, private, and rapid autopsies.

18. Participates in the process of Emergency Preparedness as it relates to the Morgue.

19. May be required to use a pager and take call.

20. May need to provide evening, night, day, weekend, or holiday coverage dependent on staffing levels.

General Support Responsibilities:

1. Cleans and disinfects the morgue cooler, trays, gurneys, front foyer, and floor space, etc... as needed.

2. Ensures the environs of the space are maintained, including slings, linens, cadaver covers, and frames.

3. Ensures the temperature of the cooler is maintained and within normal limits. Will work with the electronic temperature monitoring system, running reports and entering corrective action. Will address issues with engineering or vendors as needed.

4. Stocks supplies routinely.

5. Contacts engineering, environmental services, and other hospital departments for assistance as needed.

6. Maintains established department policies, procedures and objectives, including the areas of quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.

7. Follows all Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals and related BWH Laboratory and Hospital Policies.

8. Performs all other duties and responsibilities as directed.

Qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Other qualifications as described in the Federal Register, 42 CFR, Subpart M 493.1403-1495

• Mortuary experience preferred.

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree including 2 years college level courses in Biology, Funeral Directing or other related Health Science, preferred.

EEO Statement
BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

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