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The autopsy assistant (diener) can be seen holding the skull of the cadaver.

A diener, also known as an autopsy technician, autopsy assistant, or morgue attendant is a worker that assists a pathologist or physician. The term “diener” is derived from the German term Leichendier, meaning corpse servant.  A diener assists a pathologist or physician during an autopsy completing a variety of tasks such as handling necessary tools and supplies, preparation of the deceased body before and after autopsy which includes organ disposal.

Education requirements for a diener includes a high school diploma or a GED certificate. It also includes completion of one year of undergraduate coursework composed of at least six semester hours in courses including biology, human anatomy, physiology, zoology, or criminal justice with laboratory work as well. Becoming a diener may also include previous experience working as a radiologist or a laboratory assistant which involved use of surgical tools or grew human anatomy knowledge, instead of any undergraduate course work. Dieners can use their work experience to pursue a degree in similar fields such as forensics, clinical laboratory work, and law enforcement.

In the beginning stages of working as a diener, there are certain training requirements. Formal training requirements for a diener may include manual handling, infection control, and safety procedures. Formal training has two parts: Taught Units and Workplace Competency. The first portion, Taught Units, consists of five different sections. Those five sections are Human Anatomy and Physiology for Anatomical Pathology Technologists, Governance and Administration of Mortuary Practices, Health and Safety in the Mortuary, Microbiology and infection Control for Anatomical Pathology Technologists, and Principles of Effective Communication for Anatomical Pathology Technologists. The second portion of formal training, Workplace Competency Units, consists of five sections as well. Those five sections are Assist with Post Mortem Examinations, Preparation and Operation of a Mortuary, Prepare for Post Mortem Examinations, Team Working, and Viewing of the Deceased. In addition to formal training, dieners learn how to do basic tasks through shadowing a mentor.

In order to be a diener, certain skills are necessary for job performance. Some skills a diener needs includes physical strength, reasoning, problem solving, attention to detail, and stress tolerance. In addition to the above skills, integrity/honesty, visual identification, flexibility, and reading are other important skills  a diener should possess. Another skill related to the job of a diener is the ability to work with human remains, diagnostic tools, surgical instruments involved in a death investigation. A diener is also required to be knowledgeable of lab and safety techniques including the collection and preservation of evidence and any tasks involving any chemical, biological, microbiological, pathogenic and miscellaneous hazards.

A diener can work in different areas. Those areas include hospital morgues and medical schools. There are multiple duties within the position and the duties of a diener are typically the same wherever employed. One of the main duties of a diener is to assist in autopsies. One duty in assisting with autopsies includes positioning patients in order for them to be fingerprinted. Another task done as a part of assisting with autopsies involves the removal of organs, tissues, and any fluids (such as blood) from the body of the deceased. Fingerprinting patients, removing tissues and organs, drawing and spinning blood samples  are done as a part of collecting and preserving forensic evidence, which is a portion of the responsibilities for a diener.

In autopsy assisting, a diener can collect and keep record of evidence collected relating to a patient’s death. Evidence collected can come in a variety of forms. Examples of evidence that may be collected includes any body tissues, slides, radiographs, and any on-scene evidence gathered. A diener may perform tasks such as x-rays (bodily and dental) and developing and evaluating films from x-rays as a part of record keeping. The record keeping of any form of evidence examined in an autopsy by a diener is later used in the determination of the cause of death.

When working in a medical school, a diener helps train medical students, interns, and residents on performing an autopsy. Dieners help train medical students, interns, and residents in different autopsy techniques and procedures. In addition to assisting with training, a diener may have to explain the process of an autopsy in entirety to other employees, law enforcement and others interested, such as family members of the deceased.

Also, a diener performs other minimal tasks such as checking  inventory for necessary equipment and supplies regularly and places orders for any equipment or supplies as necessary.  In addition to performing inventory related tasks, a diener will also clean radiological and medical equipment, as well as inspecting equipment for any issues.

There is a number of different hazards a diener may face on the job. There is approximately six different types of hazards that a diener may risk: mechanical, sharp force, electrical, chemical, radiation, and infection. Mechanical hazards categorize harm such as back injury from activity  such as  transporting cadavers. Sharp force hazards categorize any bodily harm from the use of tools and equipment such as scalpels and needles which may result in cuts or punctures. Electrical hazards encompass any potential harm in the form of shock from the use of equipment like saws or defibrillators. Chemical hazards include harm from the use of a variety of chemicals used in the autopsy process such as cyanide and formaldehyde. Radiation hazards are related to any exposure from performing x-rays.  Infection hazards are due to the potential that a cadaver may be infected with any communicable disease.

A diener can also be promoted to different positions within mortuary and forensic scope of practice. Dieners can advance to positions such as a forensic morgue technician, and complete tasks of higher difficulty and  may mainly work with a forensic pathologist, over a general pathologist. Dieners can also be promoted to supervisory positions based upon the gain of supervisor and administrative skills.

The salary for a diener varies based upon education, experience, employer, and employment location (i.e.: city or state of employment). The salary is typically between $25,000 and $38,000 annually.