Latishia Garner
North Miami Beach,FL
Summary
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for leading and motivating. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact department success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Dedicated Forensic Technician professional with an 18 year work history with 10 of those years being in management. Excellent in meeting department goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Morgue Bureau Operation Manager
Dade County Medical Examiner Office
07.2018 - Current
- Assist Pathologist with performing autopsy, eviscerate organs and sew and clean bodies.
- Duties also include sanitizing work area as well as autopsy suite, under OSHA guidelines.
- Releasing bodies to funeral home.
- Releasing of evidence to law enforcement agencies.
- Fingerprint bodies, collect specimens for toxicology testing.
- Implemented Quality Assurance program for evidence and specimen retention.
- In charge of 9 staff members, scheduling, case assignment.
- Training employees on autopsy evisceration.
- Oversee budget of over $240,000 for morgue as well as order supplies for removal team.
- Submit reports to Risk Management due to employee injuries, as well as safety complaint reports after doing investigation into OSHA complaints.
- Managed time efficiently to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through development of innovative solutions.
- Resolved problems, improved operations, and provided exceptional service.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
Forensic Autopsy Assistant/ Forensic Pathologist Assistant
Office Of The Chief Medical Examiner
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Office of the Chief Medical, Assist Pathologist with performing autopsy, eviscerate organs and sew and clean bodies.
- Duties also include sanitizing work area as well as autopsy suite, under OSHA guidelines.
- Releasing bodies to funeral home, accepting bodies from hospital and scenes.
- Operate Lodox machine and process images.
- Fingerprint bodies, collect specimens for testing.
- Certified in Category A and B infectious substance packaging.
- Going to scenes and hospitals and making removals of decedents and transporting them to OCME.
- Quality Assurance on paperwork and specimens up to 20 cases per day.
- Cataloging and inventorying of evidence and giving out evidence to police agencies.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis, and reporting.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Senior Forensic Technician, Medical Examiner
Office Of The Chief Medical Examiner
01.2014 - 08.2015
- Assist Pathologist with performing autopsy, eviscerate organs and sew and clean bodies.
- Duties also include sanitizing work area as well as autopsy suite, under OSHA guidelines
- Taking photographs of cases as well as organs.
- Releasing bodies to funeral home, accepting bodies from hospital and scenes.
- In charge of security staff and scheduling.
- Operate x-ray machine and process images.
- Fingerprint bodies, collect specimens for testing.
- Certified in Category A and B infectious substance packaging.
- Trained in performing respirator N95 fit testing.
- Cataloging and inventorying of evidence and giving out evidence to police agencies.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Followed strict laboratory safety procedures to ensure safety of personnel and evidence.
Autopsy Supervisor/Autopsy Technician
Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office
01.2005 - 01.2014
- Assist Pathologist with performing autopsy by doing all trace evidence collection, rape kits, bullet retrieval
- Duties also include sanitizing work area as well as autopsy suite, under MIOSHA guidelines.
- In charge of scheduling staff, interviewing potential staff, ordering supplies and training new employees as well as students on proper way to perform autopsy.
- Decreased spending on supplies by going directly to source.
- Also implemented program to do repairs on equipment versus destroying old and purchasing new.
- Knowledgeable in using Lodox machine, and fluoroscopy machine.
- Cataloging and inventorying of evidence and giving out evidence to police agencies.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided solutions to problems.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies, and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Authored best practices documentation for use in new personnel onboarding processes.
- Lead team of 10 personnel focused on the morgue unit along with the cooler inventory and maintenance.
Education
High School Diploma -
Inkster High School
Inkster, MI06.1996
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Wayne County Community College District
Taylor, MISkills
- Equipment maintenance and operation
- Policy and Procedure Writing
- Microsoft Office
- Maintaining Compliance
- Process Improvement
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Policy and Procedure Implementation
- Team Leadership
- Management
- Inventory Control
- Operation Monitoring
- Staff Management
Accomplishments
- Expert in Virchow and Rokitansky autopsy methods.
- Knowledgeable in College of American Pathologist, National Association of Medical Examiners and Occupational Health and Safety Administration, rules, and regulations
- Expert in chain of custody and evidence preservation and collection.
- Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Certification
Supervision Skills Certificate, Alison - February 2023
Diploma Workplace Safety, Alison- Febrauery 2023
Timeline
Morgue Bureau Operation Manager
Dade County Medical Examiner Office
07.2018 - Current
Forensic Autopsy Assistant/ Forensic Pathologist Assistant
Office Of The Chief Medical Examiner
08.2015 - 07.2018
Senior Forensic Technician, Medical Examiner
Office Of The Chief Medical Examiner
01.2014 - 08.2015
Autopsy Supervisor/Autopsy Technician
Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office
01.2005 - 01.2014
High School Diploma -
Inkster High School
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Wayne County Community College District
Supervision Skills Certificate, Alison - February 2023
Diploma Workplace Safety, Alison- Febrauery 2023
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