FORENSIC ATTENDANT

This announcement is a reposting to reopen the filing period. Applications will be accepted from November 12, 2024, at 8:00 AM Pacific Time (PT) and will remain open until the needs of the Department are met.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness. The County is working to revise and expand its response to help those affected, focusing on housing, mental health, and substance use. The Department of Medical Examiner is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Forensic Attendant vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Performance will be assessed before the end of this period for consideration for permanent appointment.

Responsibilities

• Drives a County vehicle to locations throughout the County to recover and transport bodies, specimens, or records from hospitals, nursing homes, or other death scenes to the Medical Examiner's facility.
• Maintains vehicles in operational condition and keeps them stocked with gurneys, stretchers, straps, sheets, and necessary supplies.
• Recovers, lifts, and transports bodies to the Department of Medical Examiner or other facilities.
• Receives and processes bodies into Department of Medical Examiner facilities; places bodies on autopsy tables; prepares bodies for release; and releases bodies subsequent to post-mortem examination.
• Collects and preserves physical and medical evidence.
• Performs case-related data entry to the Medical Examiner's computer system; keeps a log on morgue activities; writes receipts for bodies, clothing, personal property, and evidence; fingerprints bodies in accordance with departmental standards.
• Cleans autopsy room and sterilizes instruments and equipment; delivers soiled linen to laundry; returns clean linen to morgue and storage room.
• Assists Medical Examiner Investigators in the physical recovery and lifting of decedents' bodies, as needed.
• Assists in autopsy procedures, as needed.
• Performs other related duties, as needed.

Requirements

Selection Requirements:

• Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma.
• One (1) year of experience in a hospital, morgue, or ambulance service moving or transporting patients or decedents.

License:

• A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions. Applicants must obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. The license must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

Qualifications

Desirable Qualifications:

• One year of experience as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professional, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Mortuary Removal Specialist.
• An Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree or higher, preferably in the following areas:
  • Administration of Justice
  • Health / Physical Sciences
  • Nursing

Physical Class: 4 - Arduous. Positions within this class involve frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working on irregular surfaces; and occasionally requires extraordinary physical activity.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to perform a variety of physically demanding activities, such as frequent lifting and moving of decedents and heavy equipment, climbing down rocky cliffs, carrying equipment up steep hills, or removing corpses from the ocean.
• Ability to work any shift, including nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Willingness to work overtime to meet legal requirements and/or departmental needs associated with death investigations.
• Ability to drive 75-100 miles one-way using a County vehicle or personal vehicle to various death scenes throughout the County of Los Angeles (mileage reimbursement provided).
• Assist in the physical recovery, packaging, lifting, and moving of decedents' bodies, including infants, children, and bodies that may be fragmented, burned, and/or in advanced stages of decomposition.
• Work in highly stressful situations and develop effective coping and self-care skills to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Work in death scenes that present difficult environmental challenges, such as strong odors, extreme temperatures, dilapidated living conditions, and/or rugged terrain.

Candidates selected for appointment will be extended an offer of employment that is conditional upon the results of a background investigation, physical ability test, psychological evaluation, and medical screening. The physical ability test will consist of a body drag, gurney lift, and stair climb with weights.

Exam Content

Before the end of your initial work assignment, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.