A diener is a morgue worker responsible for handling, moving, and cleaning the corpse. In the UK, the equivalent job title is "mortuary assistant", whilst the preparation, evisceration and reconstruction of the deceased is performed by an anatomical pathology technician. In the US, dieners are also referred to as "mortuary assistants" or "autopsy technicians". The word is derived from the German language word Leichendiener, which literally means corpse servant ( diener means servant.Chemnitz University of Technology. Dictionary De - En. "Diener". Accessed on March 31, 2007.LEO GmbH Dictionary/Wörterbuch. URL: "Diener". Accessed on March 31, 2007.).
A diener performs a number of tasks in medical schools and . Helping a pathologist with examining and reconstructing are main tasks performed by a diener. A diener assists a pathologist or physician during an autopsy completing tasks such as handling tools and supplies, preparation of the deceased before and after autopsy. In addition to physical work with a pathologist and , dieners do work such as record keeping of identification and documentation of deceased in the form of items such as death certificates.
In the American Moravian Church (), the men and (particularly) the women who assist in church services (like the Lovefeast) are called "dieners", from the German title for their office, Saaldiener or "chapel servant".
The first portion, Taught Units, consists of five sections.
The second portion of formal training, Workplace Competency, consists of five sections as well.
In addition to formal training, dieners learn how to do basic tasks through shadowing a mentor.
Another skill is the ability to work with human remains, Diagnosis tools, and surgical instruments involved in a death investigation. A diener is required to be knowledgeable of lab and safety techniques including the collection and preservation of evidence and any tasks involving any chemical, biological, Microbiology, and miscellaneous hazards.
One of the main duties is to assist in autopsies. One duty in assisting with autopsies includes positioning patients 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. 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 relating to a patient’s death. Examples of collectible evidence includes any body tissues, slides, Radiography, and any on-scene evidence. A diener also performs tasks such as (body and dental) and developing and evaluating films from x-rays as a part of record keeping. The record keeping of evidence examined in an autopsy by a diener is used in the determination of the cause of death.
In addition to evidence collection and record keeping, a diener has the task of explaining the process of an autopsy in entirety to other employees, law enforcement, and others interested, such as family members of the dead.
A diener performs tasks such as checking inventory and placing orders for equipment and supplies regularly. In addition to performing inventory-related tasks, a diener will clean radiological and medical equipment, as well as inspecting equipment for any issues.
Mechanical hazards categorize harm such as back injury from activity such as transporting . Sharp force hazards categorize any bodily harm from the use of tools and equipment such as and needles which resulting 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 is infected with a communicable disease.
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