Autopsy Assistant Certificate

Certificate
Mathematics, Sciences & Social Sciences Division

Program Code: FRSC1

Gainful Employment Disclosure Data

Office: Mott Memorial Building 2005

Phone: (810) 762-0332

This certificate is designed to prepare the student to perform the job responsibilities of an autopsy assistant which include preparation of the body and autopsy station for postmortem examination, conduct evisceration under the guidance of a forensic pathologist, and prepare the body for pick up by the funeral home. This certificate will also prepare the successful student to function in the medical examiner/forensic pathology setting which also entails evidence collection, packaging, storage, chain of custody procedures, postmortem photography and collection of toxicology specimens.

 

Autopsy Assistant Program Eligibility Requirements

1. Students interested in the Autopsy Assistant Certificate Program are required to meet with the program coordinator prior to receiving an application.
2. Students will need to complete an application for admission to the program, provide 3 letters of recommendation (two of which must be from faculty members at Mott) and complete the career goals essay.
3. The following minimum course requirements must be satisfied before an application to the program will be evaluated. In order to apply, students must be in in their last semester of completing the following pre-requirements and have met with the program coordinator.

               A. Complete the following courses with a 3.0 or higher grade (including transfer credits):
                    i.    BIOL-152 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (within the last 5 years)
                    ii.   FRSC-160 Introduction to Forensic Pathology and the Morgue
                    iii.  FRSC-161 Occupational Safety
               B. Complete the following courses with a 2.5 or higher grade (including transfer credits):
                    i.    BIOL-151  Human Anatomy and Physiology I (within the last 5 years)
               C. Complete the following courses with a 2.0 or higher grade (including transfer credits):
                    i.    FRSC-100 Survey of Forensic Sciences
                    ii.   ANTH-210 Forensic Anthropology
                    iii.  CRJU-161 Introduction to Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice
                    iv.  ENGL-101 English Compostion I or ENGL-103 Compostion for Technical Fields I

 4. Submit official transcripts for all transfer college coursework. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the MCC Registrar’s Office. Attach an unofficial copy of all transcripts to the application form.
 5. Students must submit an acceptable criminal background investigation (CBI), at the student’s expense through an approved agency before consideration of their application will be made. Conviction of a felony will prohibit any student from being accepted into the autopsy assistant program. 93- day misdemeanor convictions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may prevent a student from being allowed into a training setting. CBIs expire in twelve months and must be renewed annually. 
 6. Students must submit documentation of a physical exam, including required immunizations and TB testing, at the student’s expense (within last year) before consideration of their application will be made. Students must also submit proof of health insurance with health documentation and must maintain health insurance while enrolled in upper level autopsy courses. Due to the physical nature of the work within the autopsy suite, students must meet the following requirements.

• Physically able to bend, reach and twist without issue or limitation
• Sit, stand and walk unassisted for long periods of time​
• Safely push and pull gurneys and lift weights up to 50 lbs unassisted
• Grip, hold and utilize surgical tools
• Climb low step ladders
• Listen, understand, and verbally reply to oral instructions
• Read and understand written materials on paper or computer screen and type at a keyboard
• In addition, the students must have the following vaccinations/tests completed (this listing may be updated as necessary to changes in requirements for placemant locations):
  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine
  • Influenza Vaccine
  • TB Test (within last year)

 7. In some cases, training sites may require students to complete additional background investigations and submit to drug screening procedures prior to or during the experience. All background investigations and drug screenings are at the student’s expense. 
 8. All application materials must be completed and submitted no later than April 1st for consideration in that year’s cohort.
 9. Once an application is completed with all components noted above, students will be scheduled for an interview with the selection committee. Qualified application portfolios will be reviewed by program coordinator and selection committee during the Winter semester for Summer semester admission to FRSC-165. Fulfillment of the minimum eligibility requirements and completion of all program eligibility requirements does not gurantee admission into the Autopsy Assistant program at Mott Community College. Final determination of program entry will be made based on competitive (selective) process based on ranked scoring. Admission decisions are announced on or before May 8th.