Forensic Support Assistant - Western District

Title: Forensic Support Assistant - Western District

State Role Title: Laboratory and Research Tech

Hiring Range: $18.50/hour - $20.40/hour

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINR-WST

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical-examiner/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Chief Medical Examiner is actively seeking to recruit 2 Forensic Support Assistants. This is a wage position and averages 15-29 hours per week, not to exceed 1500 hours in a year and is not eligible for benefits. This position is responsible for working evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

The Forensic Support Assistant is responsible for processing the receipt and release of bodies at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which includes physically moving dead bodies, processing the evidence/personal belongings and ensuring the integrity of the evidence recovered and stored at the Medical Examiner’s office in accordance with policies and procedures. This position provides support to the forensic autopsy technicians in the morgue after hours, on weekends and holidays. This position is responsible for the cleanliness of the morgue while on duty, laundering and organization of linens in the morgue and may assist with other duties, such as organizing toxicology specimens and supplies, assisting local medical examiners with external examinations, etc. Surveillance of refrigeration systems of body storage areas. Monitors access and admittance of all individuals entering the morgue areas, while on duty, including law enforcement, funeral home/transport personnel, and organ procurement organizations. Reports unusual or emergency conditions to appropriate personnel and authorities.

This position is responsible for receiving, releasing and physically moving human remains, processing evidence/personal belongings and ensuring the integrity of the evidence recovered and stored at the office. Some computer data entry to record activities. Also responsible for monitoring access of visitors and the public to the building to ensure compliance with security policies. Reporting of unusual or emergency conditions to appropriate authorities. Perform surveillance of the refrigeration systems in morgue area. Monitor access and admittance of organ procurement organizations. Laundry, light cleaning and facility maintenance duties in the morgue area. This position will also perform administrative duties to include but not limited to filing, faxing and photocopying.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to communicate verbally effectively.
• Knowledge of security procedures.
• Ability to push/pull 100 to 500 lbs and lift with assistance.
• Must have experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) with strong keyboarding and data-entry skills.
• Reading and writing ability to properly complete chain of custody documents and reading of surveillance thermometers.
• Ability to follow office policies and procedures with little to no direct supervision.
• Experience performing administrative duties to include but not limited to: filing, faxing and photocopying is required.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Additional Considerations

• Previous experience with human remains in a hospital, morgue, funeral home or medical examiner’s facility is advantageous.
• Experience/training education on chain of custody and the handling evidence and/or personal effects.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and