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Autopsy Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As an Autopsy Assistant, you will be assisting the Forensic Examiner with forensic autopsies ... Preference may be given to those individuals with medical laboratory, emergency medical, nursing or ...

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Autopsy Nurse information

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How much do autopsy nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for autopsy nurse in the United States is $38.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $43.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an autopsy nurse?

Autopsy nurses are registered nurses who assist pathologists during autopsies, helping to prepare bodies, collect specimens, maintain detailed records, and ensure safety protocols are followed. They play a key role in post-mortem examinations by providing clinical expertise and supporting the investigative process to determine causes of death. Their work may also involve communicating with families, maintaining chain-of-custody for evidence, and working closely with law enforcement or other medical professionals. Autopsy nurses typically work in hospitals, medical examiner offices, or forensic labs.

What does an autopsy nurse do?

An autopsy nurse is also known as a medical examiner nurse. In this career, you assist physicians with the postmortem examination of deceased people. Some nurses also perform tests or examine other evidence that investigators collected at a crime scene, or may even collect evidence at the crime scene themselves. Your job duties include helping with equipment and procedures during the autopsy, recording results, collecting and documenting evidence, and typing reports that explain the cause of death and other information. Once you have completed your reports, you share the findings with attorneys and law enforcement investigators that are involved in the case.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an autopsy nurse?

To thrive as an Autopsy Nurse, you need a nursing degree, RN licensure, and a solid understanding of anatomy, pathology, and postmortem procedures. Experience with autopsy instruments, specimen collection, body handling protocols, and infection control systems is crucial, and specialized certifications in forensic nursing can be beneficial. Attention to detail, emotional resilience, and strong communication skills help manage sensitive situations and collaborate with pathologists and law enforcement. These skills ensure accurate postmortem documentation, maintain biohazard safety, and support respectful handling of decedents and their families.

How does an autopsy nurse typically collaborate with pathologists and other forensic professionals during an autopsy?

Autopsy Nurses play a critical role in supporting pathologists by preparing the body, documenting findings, and ensuring all necessary specimens are collected accurately. They work closely with forensic technicians, law enforcement personnel, and sometimes families, facilitating communication and maintaining strict chain-of-custody protocols. This collaboration requires strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and a high degree of professionalism, as the nurse's contributions are essential for accurate post-mortem analysis and legal documentation.

What is the difference between Autopsy Nurse vs Forensic Nurse?

AspectAutopsy NurseForensic Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN), often with specialized training in autopsy proceduresRegistered Nurse (RN), with additional forensic or crime scene investigation training
Work EnvironmentHospitals, morgues, medical examiner officesHospitals, crime scenes, forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies
Employer & IndustryMedical examiner offices, hospitalsLaw enforcement, forensic labs, hospitals

Autopsy nurses primarily assist in post-mortem examinations within medical or morgue settings, focusing on the autopsy process. Forensic nurses, on the other hand, work at the intersection of healthcare and law enforcement, often involved in crime scene investigations and forensic evidence collection. While both roles require nursing credentials, forensic nurses typically have additional training in forensic science. The choice depends on whether you prefer working directly with autopsies or in forensic investigations involving crime scenes.

What cities are hiring for Autopsy Nurse jobs?

Cities with the most Autopsy Nurse job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Autopsy Nurse jobs?

The most popular types of Autopsy Nurse jobs are:

What states have the most Autopsy Nurse jobs?

States with the most job openings for Autopsy Nurse jobs include:

Infographic showing various Autopsy Nurse job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,321 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Autopsy Assistant - Per Diem

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

Per diem

Re-posted 14 days ago


Stony Brook University rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

415th of 630 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Autopsy Assistant - Per Diem

At Stony Brook Medicine, a TH Instructional Support Assistant/Autopsy Assistant is a valuable member of our team, who works closely with the Director of the Autopsy Service and Decedents Affairs Office Coordinator to provide diening service, and interact with a wide range of medical center staff, including laboratory staff, physicians, nursing staff, Patient Access, Public Safety, Hospital Transport, Environmental Health & Safety, Infection control, Facilities, and community Funeral Directors to ensure smooth operations of all aspects of the autopsy service.

The individual must understand and comply with the standards established by all the regulatory agencies, Stony Brook Medicine, and the Department of Pathology. Qualified candidates will maintain a general knowledge of safe practices, demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills while serving as a professional role model in representing the Department of Laboratories. Duties of a per diem Instructional Support Assistant/Autopsy Assistant may include the following, but are not limited to:

Autopsy: Responsible for the operational aspects of an autopsy, from coordinating with the Pathology Attending/residents, setting up for the autopsy, assisting the Pathologist/resident during the dissection, sewing up the body post mortem, cleaning up the autopsy room, to returning body to morgue. Sets up autopsy room for Neuropathologist to examine/gross the brains and cleans up afterwards. Sanitize the autopsy room/body utilizing Stera Mist. Works with Decedents Affairs Office Coordinator, Patient Access staff, and community funeral directors for coordination of autopsies and release of bodies according to all Hospital policies and external regulations. Work with DAO to resolve issues and/or brings concerns to the attention of the Associate Technical Director of AP.

The following duties may be assigned as needed:

Morgue and equipment maintenance: Check morgue 2x daily for cleanliness and available space, free up gurneys by moving bodies to the shelves when necessary. Notify Patient transport supervisor if gurneys require cleaning/repair. Responsible for equipment preventative maintenance, trouble shooting, and completing maintenance logs. Place work order and repair requests when necessary. Bring any equipment issues forward to the Associate Technical Director of AP. Address all out of limit Rees monitoring alarms for autopsy devices. Generate and review monthly Rees reports, document reasons or corrective actions for all out of limit values and forward to Associate Technical Director of AP for signature.

Clerical: Place all supply & equipment orders for the autopsy area utilizing Lawson system. Utilize Laboratory Information System to generate various data reports. Provide backup for registrations/entering orders in SMS/PowerChart.

Placentas: Check labeling of containers with requisitions, work with Labor & Delivery on any issues. Accession placentas utilizing Laboratory Information System (CoPath), print tissue cassettes, set up grossing table, assist with grossing, clean up. Responsible for storage, report release, and disposal of placentas.

Medical Waste: Organize and store autopsy / placenta / wet tissue specimens until ready for disposal. Handle medical waste disposal of autopsy/placenta specimens according to established policies & procedures. Works with Housekeeping and Environmental Health & Safety to ensure appropriate disposal.

Misc: Provide backup for microscope slide/tissue block filing and retrieval. Work with the Descendants Affairs Coordinator in arranging for viewing in the bereavement room when requested by the family. Prepare the body for viewing, bring to the viewing room and returns the body to the morgue after the family leaves.

Qualifications

Required:

Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biological Science or Mortuary Science. In lieu of a degree, 2 years of experience as a Diener/Autopsy Aide in a Hospital setting and/or Medical Examiner's Office. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Able to shift bodies/objects, prolonged standing, use of respirators.

Preferred:

Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Biological Science, or Mortuary Science (Funeral Director). 2 years of clinical experience (Diener, Autopsy Aide, or Funeral Director). Experience with Stryker Bone Saw, suturing, sharps handling, and basic computer knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Please Note: Verification of degree (e.g., diploma or official transcript) is required for this role. Upload of documentation must be included with your application for consideration.


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