AUTOPSY TECHNICIAN-PHOTOGRAPHER Job at County of Los Angeles in Los Angeles

POSITION/PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its unified system of 23 health centers and four hospitals - and expanded network of community partner clinics – DHS annually provides direct care for over 500,000 outstanding patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $8.4 billion.

Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. In addition, to its direct clinical services, DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County's 911 emergency response system, as well as Housing for Health and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, each with a critical role in connecting vulnerable populations, including those released from correctional and institutional settings to supportive housing.

THE MISSION:

To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.

DEFINITION:

Photographs human cadavers and specimens and assists in the performance of autopsies on human cadavers.

• Assists in the performance of autopsies on human cadavers.
• Prepares a specified human cadaver, specimen, or organ, such as the liver or brain, for autopsy report photographs and for use in medical training and research by other personnel.
• Monitors and maintains autopsy log, reports, and other documentation, such as negative pressure, photographic files, crypt temperature, waste disposal, and other regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintains inventory of all supplies and safety equipment to be used during the performance of an autopsy.
• Selects standard camera and artificial light source settings by referring to photographic manuals to ensure photographs/transparencies are correctly exposed.
• Forwards photographs/transparencies to the ordering pathologist for analysis.
• Utilizes hand-held digital camera or stand-mounted camera to produce quality, accurate images in accordance with standard procedure for the object to be photographed.
• Photographs with digital camera human cadavers, specimens, and organs when requested by pathologist or required by standard procedure by orienting and locating specimens at a distance away from the camera in accordance with standard technique. Ensures images will meet established photographic standards.
• Adjusts camera and light settings in accordance with changing and varying conditions encountered to ensure quality photographs and transparencies.
• Inspects photographs/transparencies for deficiencies such as overexposure or image cutoff and, if necessary, re-photographs organ/specimen if still available.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

Six months' experience assisting in the performance of autopsies at the level of the Los Angeles County class of Autopsy Technician - AND - training in black and white, color, and digital camera techniques.

PHYSICAL CLASS III - Moderate:

This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Additional credit will be awarded to applicants who have experience in excess of the Selection Requirements.