Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Western District

Title: Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Western District

State Role Title: Laboratory & Research Spec I

Hiring Range: $49,000 to $60,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINR-WST

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior will support the Forensic Autopsy Services Supervisor to ensure efficient and compliant morgue operations. This  position assists the Assistant Chief Medical Examiners (Forensic Pathologists) in the completion of autopsies, including performing initial incisions for organ removal and weighing organs, collecting body fluids and tissues for retention and applicable
testing, and collecting and preserving evidence. This position will ensure continuity of operations of the morgue while the supervisor is unavailable. Additional responsibilities include training new employees, providing ongoing instruction for current staff, and supporting trainees rotating through the office. In conjunction with the supervisor, this position ensures compliance with policies, procedures, and
adherence to safety standards. This position will be responsible for retrieving, admitting and releasing bodies in accordance with policies and procedures. Other characteristic duties include preparing bodies for examination by weighing, photographing, and completing x-rays. This position, along with other forensic technicians, is responsible for cleaning the morgue facility, ensuring morgue equipment and vehicles receive proper maintenance and is required to instruct internal and external personnel on morgue procedures. This position will primarily workday shifts but may be requested/required to work weekends, evenings, nights, and state holidays as operational needs dictate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge serving in a leadership capacity and to provide technical guidance and training
• Considerable working knowledge of anatomy, evidence collection, chain of custody, autopsy assistance, morgue operations, and confidentiality through direct experience or equivalent education
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), database usage and data entry with strong keyboarding skills
• Required to push/pull/maneuver weights up to 500+ pounds, with and without assistance, stand for long periods of time, traverse uphill, rocky or otherwise unstable terrain
• Must be able to respond to mass disaster scenes and other out-of-district assignments for up to a 2-week rotation
• Basic photography skills: to include knowledge of digital photography with a digital camera and the ability to save images on various types of media (CD, USB, digital server)
• Must be able to work days, weekends, and some holidays throughout the calendar yea
• Valid Driver's License

Additional Considerations

• Previous experience with human remains in a hospital, morgue, funeral home or medical examiner’s facility.
• Relevant training and experience in forensic sciences, health sciences, or related field preferred.
• Training as an autopsy technician or medicolegal death investigator is preferred.
• Experience with obtaining/maintaining/shipping collected specimens for analyses, consultations, etc.
• Training and experience in digital radiography and digital dental radiography preferred.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations for biohazard and chemical work environments preferred.

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