State Anatomical Board Lab Professional

Job Summary:

The part-time, on-call Anatomy Lab & Curriculum Support Professionals will provide professional academic, operational, and administrative support to the Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory and the State Anatomical Board in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. To secure appropriate teaching materials for multiple courses offered by the CU School of Medicine and the School of Dental Medicine, this role will perform comprehensive anatomic gross dissections and donor care to ensure the preservation of necessary anatomic materials. Additional responsibilities may include routine custodial services, plastination and skeletonization, maintaining and repairing educational collections, lab turnovers between courses, and administrative tasks related to the State Anatomical Board donor program. This position requires adherence to Anatomy Laboratory rules and regulations set by the Anatomy Lab Manager.

Some personnel may also act as an Embalmer and be responsible for embalming cadavers, in addition to the work above.

Key Responsibilities:

Gross Dissection for Gross Anatomy Curriculum – 90%:

• Independently perform gross dissection on embalmed and/or fresh tissue human cadavers, including the dissection of specific regions, structures, and relationships. Use advanced principles of gross dissection and a higher level of anatomic knowledge to modify dissections and accommodate for anatomical variations. 
• Analyze dissection and course guides to accurately navigate the dissection process to ensure program goals and curriculum requirements are met. Curriculum requirements will differ depending on the course (medical, dental, graduate school, etc.). This role directly impacts and supports curriculum for MD Plains (Office of Medical Education), Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program (CHAPA), School of Dental Medicine, Modern Human Anatomy, WELCOME Program, Area Health Education of Colorado (AHEC), Department of Anesthesiology, Multiple Residency Programs, Department of Neurology, and others.
• Provide donor care and protect cadavers during courses (proper wrapping and wetting, addressing preservation issues as needed).

Academic Support & Teaching Collections – 5%:

• Collect, organize, inventory and store embalmed organs, plastinated organs, bones, skulls, and other teaching resources that are used to supplement Anatomy Lab experiences as requested. 
• Assist with learning activities, including demonstrations and trainings conducted by Course Directors, Program Directors, Residents, Staff, and Administrators who utilize the Anatomy Lab and its resources, under staff/faculty guidance as requested. 

Anatomy Lab Turnovers & Cleaning - 5%:

• Reset dissection labs between courses as requested.
• Maintain cleanliness of dissection areas.

Embalmer (Senior Level):

• In addition to the above, Embalmer level personnel will also preserve (embalm) human cadavers donated to the State Anatomical Board of Colorado (SAB) for anatomical studies, as requested. Follow SAB anatomical embalming protocol (modifying the protocol as needed for individual cadaver variation), place cadavers in body bags, transfer cadavers to the SAB cooler for storage, and maintain documentation on embalming donors.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado. 

Why Join Us:

The Anatomy Lab works closely with the State Anatomical Board of Colorado to provide educational, research, and scientific opportunities to over 35 professional healthcare institutions. 

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Anatomy Lab & Curriculum Support Professional (Entry):  

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical or related field from an accredited institution.
  • Substitution: A combination of education and/or relevant technical experience may substitute for the degree on a year for year basis.
• Experience working in a human gross anatomy dissection lab.

Curriculum Support & Embalmer (Senior):

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical or related field from an accredited institution.
  • Substitution: A combination of education and/or relevant technical experience may substitute for the degree on a year for year basis.
• Two or more years of experience working in a human gross anatomy dissection lab or in the funeral home industry.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Condition of Employment:

Must be willing and able to…

• Frequently wash your hands, as biohazardous materials may be present.
• Sit and stand for long periods of time, frequently walk, and bend/stoop, as well as execute repetitive motions.
• Lift, push or pull up to 50 lbs.
• Embalmer personnel will work in an environment that may expose you to fumes, chemicals, liquid nitrogen, extreme cold, blood/body fluids, and infectious disease.

Preferred Qualifications:

All Levels:

• Master’s degree in Anatomy from an accredited institution.
• Experience working in a medical education environment.
• Successful completion of a master’s level human gross anatomy dissection course, or equivalent professional experience.

Embalmer Level:

In addition to the desired qualifications above…

• Associate’s degree in Mortuary Science.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy.
• Demonstrated experience in human cadaver dissection.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     Curriculum vitae / Resume

2.     Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Debra Szuster, Anatomy Lab Manger ([email protected] )

Screening of Applications Begins:

This is an ongoing posting, used to fill multiple vacancies. The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until roles have been filled. 

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting hiring rates for these on-call, part-time positions have been established as:

• Anatomy Lab & Curriculum Support Professional (Entry): $25.00/hour
• Curriculum Support & Embalmer (Senior): $35.00/hour

The above hiring rates represent the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

These positions are eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .