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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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33109.08 – Morgue attendants

Morgue attendants provide support services and assistance to pathologists.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Autopsy assistant
  • Morgue attendant

Core competencies

  • Equipment and Tool Selection to assist autopsies by providing the appropriate tools, such as scalpels, saws and other specialized instruments
  • Problem Solving to ensure medical equipment, operating table and linens are properly sanitized and cleaned following examinations
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness to handle various tasks that require precise and controlled movements, such as holding instruments, adjusting lighting or moving and positioning the deceased
  • Near Vision to examine specimens and perform dissections to identify small anatomical features or subtle signs of trauma
  • Attention to Detail to carefully and accurately record observations, document findings and label specimens from pathologists' medical examinations
  • Knowledge in Biology to comprehend the processes of decomposition, identify anatomical structures during autopsies and understand the implications of pathological findings

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Assist pathologists at autopsies by laying out surgical instruments
  • Prepare solutions for preservation of specimens
  • Transfer bodies from morgue to examining table
  • Remove organs and tissue specimens, as instructed by attending pathologist, and placing them in preservative solutions
  • Clean and sew up bodies for release to funeral home.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
  • Medical radiation technologists (32121)
  • Medical sonographers (32122)
  • Operating room technicians (32101.02)
  • Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
  • Pathologist assistants (31303.05)
  • Pharmacy technicians (32124)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

33 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Sub-major group

331 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Minor group

3310 – Assisting occupations in support of health services

Unit group

33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Occupational profile

33109.08 – Morgue attendants

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.