This position is in the office and not remote.
Why It's a Great Opportunity:This is a rare opportunity for a Pathologists’ Assistant to get into a new managerial position as a Laboratory Manager at the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. You will be responsible for the supervision and management of the forensic autopsy technician team (which also includes the transport agent). You will work collaboratively with the forensic pathologists, director of operations, administrative, and technical units to improve efficiency and quality of work, further modernize processes, and assist in our goal to become a recognized leader in the field. Work will be performed between an active autopsy suite and a personal office space. Our office is a medium-sized, dynamic medical examiner's office responsible for jurisdiction over one county. Pierce County is a beautiful county with a quickly growing population of approximately 939,000 residents. There are local beaches, gorgeous walking trails, parks, the Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier. There is never an end to the beauty and enjoyment that the Puget Sound region provides.
Why It's a Great Department:The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO) is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The PCMEO investigates all sudden, unexplained, suspicious, unnatural, unlawful, and violent deaths which occur in Pierce County. The PCMEO is a stand-alone facility, which is secure with adequate free private parking, and updated, modern personal office spaces. We are a regional and statewide leader in utilizing new technology to include a Lodox full-body radiography machine, which is scheduled for replacement with a computed tomography (CT) scanner. We are a small close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.
How to be Successful in the Role:Bring your knowledge of forensic science, process improvement, and quality assurance, along with your ability to effectively problem solve, communicate, and manage people and you are sure to succeed! You will provide ongoing training and supervision to forensic autopsy technicians and the transport agent. You will perform postmortem examinations including external exams, partial autopsies, and complete autopsies. You will manage and oversee maintenance, repairs, and projects involving technical equipment used in the autopsy suite, morgue coolers and related areas. You will play a large role in the introduction of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) into the daily workflow. Your role will be extremely important to the advancement and quality of our practice of forensic science and to ensure that the integrity of evidence is maintained.
Your Future in this Role:You will be part of the second largest medical examiner's office in the State of Washington. We are an office with a mission to serve the living through death investigations and postmortem examinations. The vision of the PCMEO is to have a regional reputation of excellence, accomplished through providing timely, accurate, and thorough services. Your role is crucial to the quality and efficiency of autopsy and technical services provided to Pierce County.
Core Daily Responsibilities:- Supervise and manage assigned staff work assignments, training, development, and performance management.
- Plan for and coordinate development of new and existing postmortem imaging practices including but not limited to Lodox full-body x-ray, DEXIS/NOMAD, and computed tomography (CT) scanner installation and setup, routine use, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Evaluate staffing needs to operate the CT scanner.
- Perform and/or assist pathologists in performance of postmortem examinations.
- Oversee the implementation of new and existing technologies and practices applied to forensic autopsy examination.
- Evaluate, develop, and implement technical protocols and procedures for autopsy services, as appropriate.
- Provide ongoing training to forensic autopsy technicians and transport agent(s).
- Actively participate in quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA) of technical services, including development and maintenance of QI/QA manual and related materials.
- Responsible for National Association of Medical Examiner’s (NAME) Accreditation activities as they relate to postmortem exams and body handling, morgue capacity, etc.
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found
here.
Minimum Qualifications:- Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.
- Bachelor’s degree and subsequent graduation from a Pathologists’ Assistant program (a two-year program that results in a master’s degree).
- Demonstrated expertise acquired through two or more years of actively contributing to autopsy procedures and pathology laboratory operations.
- Proficiency extends to encompassing both fundamental and advanced postmortem evisceration techniques, as well as adeptness in toxicology and diverse postmortem specimen collection methodologies.
- Two or more years of supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications:- Certification by American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants or American Society of Clinical Pathology is desired.
- Experience with management of other employees, to include performance and coaching with progressive discipline in a represented environment.
- Experience working with forensic pathologists in a Medical Examiner/Coroner office setting.
Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:- Employees in this classification are subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours as required.
- Must meet travel requirements and authorize and complete a background check prior to employment.
- This recruitment requires a CV and letter of interest highlighting why you're interested in this position. Not including both will result in an incomplete application.
Job Details:- Physical location: 3619 Pacific Avenue Tacoma, WA 98418
- Salary: $124,558.34 - $158,895.30 per year
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration. To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
