Autopsy_Diener-NMCSDS_Statement_of_Work.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

AUTOPSY (DIENER) SERVICES

NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER SAN DIEGO

1. SCOPE OF WORK

0. The contractor shall provide, in accordance with this statement of work, the non-personal services of an Autopsy Diener (Morgue Technician) within the Anatomic Pathology Division of the Laboratory Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), California 92134-1305.

0. The contractor shall work closely with the laboratory leadership, autopsy pathologist, and residents, executing staff –level functions and providing direct instruction to resident physicians in the proper preparation (pre-analytical), performance (analytical), and reporting (post-analytical) of autopsies performed at NMCSD.

1. DUTY HOURS

0. All work may be performed on an intermittent on-call basis, 24 hours a day, any day of the week.

0. The contractor and lab leadership will agree on the timing of autopsy procedures.

0. The contractor shall report, before performance on each case, to the Head of Anatomic Pathology Division of the Laboratory Department, NMCSD or designee.

1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

0. The contractor shall assist in the various aspects of the autopsy which may include the external examination, making primary incisions, the internal examination including the extraction and dissection of organs of the torso, opening the cranium, removing and evaluating the brain and spinal cord, performing required clerical functions and other functions in the performance of the autopsy.

0. The contractor shall work in conjunction with the Autopsy Pathologist in the quality management program, including annual review of the standard operating procedures of the Autopsy Division, providing quarterly statistics to the Quality Manager of the Laboratory, and ensuring the division is ready for accreditation inspection by the College of American Pathologists.

0. The contractor shall provide the instruction to the pathology residents in the preparation, performance, and reporting of all types of autopsy cases including forensic, medical, and fetal autopsies.

0. The contractor shall assist to ensure that adequate supply levels are maintained, and shall be responsible to generate requests for supplies. The contractor shall assist with maintenance of proper equipment function, and is responsible for maintaining instrument cleanliness.

0. The contractor shall guide the collection, assembly, and holding of specimens for toxicological study. The contractor shall direct the proper preparation and storage of organ specimens (e.g., heart, brain, etc.) for further specialized examination.

0. The contractor shall be responsible for compliance with infection control guidelines and practicing universal precautions.

0. The contractor shall be responsible for the safe and effective operation of equipment used in the autopsy room and contribute to a safe working environment. This includes safe practices of emergency procedures, proper handling of hazardous materials, and physical security. The current list of medical equipment/machinery used is on file within the work unit.

0. The contractor shall assist in the performance of active duty death identification using dental comparisons and fingerprinting.

0. The contractor shall read, write, speak, and understand the English language fluently.

The contractor IS NOT prohibited, by reason of employment under this contract, from other employment as long as there is no conflict with the performance of duties under this contract. However, such employment shall not be conducted during those hours in which the contractor is required to render services under this contract. The contractor shall make no use of Government facilities or property in connection with such other employment.

4. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/ PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of the procedures of the Decedent Affairs Office of Naval Medical Center San Diego including the autopsy request by the primary next of kin, communication with the decedent’s attending physician, and the requirements to release bodies to funeral homes.

0. The contractor shall have prior approval of the Chief, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, to provide coverage of forensic autopsy cases and be designated as a Deputy Medical Examiner. As a Deputy Medical Examiner the contractor shall have knowledge of the jurisdiction and procedures of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System including 10 USC 1471, toxicology and DNA testing submission, and organ retention procedures.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of jurisdiction issues and procedures concerning the office of the San Diego County Medical Examiner including the deaths reportable to the medical examiner’s office.

0. The contractor shall possess experience and knowledge in autopsy techniques including specialized forensic techniques in examination of forensic cases such as homicides, suicides, accidental trauma, drug related deaths, drowning, aircraft accidents, and others that may be classified as Medical Examiner’s Cases.

0. Autopsy work may require lifting objects in excess of 50 pounds and standing for prolonged periods of up to 6-8 hours on concrete floor.

0. The contractor shall work with infectious and contagious material requiring the wearing of protective clothing, gloves, and face shield masks and respirators for prolonged periods.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of optimum specimen selection, collection, storage and preservation required. The contractor shall employ specialized techniques to harvest blood, urine, vitreous humor, cerebrospinal fluid and bacteriologic specimens for a wide range of general and forensic laboratory testing.

0. The contractor shall have a knowledge of, and ability to modify techniques to adapt to varying and unusual situations.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of instruments used for procedures and ability to properly use instruments.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of tissue fixation and preservation techniques.

0. The contractor shall have the ability and knowledge in the preparation of tissues and organs for demonstration and museum preservation.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of current civil and military regulations concerning care of the dead, recognition of civil law in the disposition of remains, and current hospital regulations.

0. To maintain morgue functions, the contractor shall coordinate efforts with representatives from the Histopathology Section of the Anatomic Pathology Division of the Laboratory Department to obtain needed supplies and services. The contractor shall contact mortuary representatives to provide information and to release remains.

0. The contractor shall have the ability to instruct and direct inexperienced personnel in the techniques and procedures of the Autopsy Division.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of methods and techniques to handle infectious and contagious materials and tissues in autopsy procedures.

0. The contractor shall have knowledge of medico-legal autopsy techniques and how to apply them during a post-mortem examination.

0. The contractor shall perform with relative autonomy under broad policy guidelines, except in unusual situations. Work is reviewed to ascertain that accepted practices occur.

0. The contractor shall possess emotional stability and demonstrate mature and respectful approach, which recognizes the dignity of the human body. Positive identification of deceased is absolute so as not to perform unauthorized procedures and to prevent the mix-up of remains. Performance of accurate precise examinations is essential in determining cause of death, manner of death, extent of disease not only for medical but legal purposes, completion of records and claims against the Government or others. Proper techniques, cleanliness, and asepsis are essential in the prevention of disease. The contractor’s knowledge and assistance is essential in proper training of technical, clerical and professional personnel.

5. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

0. The contractor shall obtain, at his/her expense, a statement from his/her physician or a report of a physical examination within 30 days prior to contract start indicating that he/she is free from mental or physical impairments which would restrict him/her from providing the services described herein.

0. Confidentiality of Information: All financial, statistical, personnel, and technical data which is furnished, produced, or otherwise available to the contractor during the performance of this contract are considered confidential business information and shall not be used for the purposes other than performance of work under this contract.

0. The Contractor and contractor employees shall make no use of any Government facilities or other Government property in connection with outside employment.

0. The Secretary of the Navy has determined that the illegal possession of drugs and paraphernalia in a military setting contributes directly to military drug abuse and undermines Command efforts to eliminate drug abuse among military personnel. The policy of the Department of the Navy (including the Marine Corps) is to deter and detect drug offenses on military installations. Measures to be taken to identify drug offenses on military installations, and to prevent introduction of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, include routine random inspection of vehicles while entering or leaving with drug detection dogs when available, and random inspection of personal possessions on entry or exit. If there is a probable cause to believe that contractor has been engaged in use, possession, or trafficking of drugs, the contractor may be detained for a limited period of time until he/she can be removed from the installation or turned over to local law enforcement personnel having jurisdiction. When illegal drugs are discovered in the course of an inspection or search of a vehicle operated by a contractor, he/she and vehicle may be detained for a reasonable period of time necessary to surrender the individual and vehicle to appropriate civil law enforcement personnel. Action may be taken to suspend, revoke, or deny installation-driving privileges. Implicit with the acceptance of this contract is the agreement by the contractor to comply with all Federal and State laws as well as regulations issued by the Commander of the military installation concerning illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

0. As this is a non-personal service contract, the contractor does NOT have an employee-employer relationship with the Government. The Government may evaluate the quality of both professional and administrative services for purposes of contract inspection and acceptance. The Government retains no direct control over professional judgments, diagnoses, or specific treatments. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for any and all liability caused by the acts or omissions of its agents or employees. The Contractor shall recognize the Commander, Naval Medical Center San Diego maintains administrative and operational responsibility for all activities within the command and may take such actions as necessary to preserve and maintain the integrity of the command, subject to the limitations prescribed by law and U.S. Navy Regulations.

6. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

0. The Contractor will be evaluated against the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP communicates the principal basis to evaluate the contractor’s performance.

0. The following rating standards will be used:

Exceptional: Performance exceeds contractual requirements and plan metrics.

Satisfactory: Performance meets contractual requirements and is within plan metrics.

Unsatisfactory: Performance does not meet contractual requirements and is below plan metrics