Anatomy Technician

Dalhousie University; Halifax; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health and dental plans

Health spending account

Employee assistance program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, seeks an Anatomy Technician to perform embalming of donated human remains and provide technical support for anatomy teaching laboratories, including all related tasks in the Human Body Program.

The role requires an Embalmer/Funeral Director license with several years of related experience, strong precision, and excellent teamwork and communication skills. This is an in-person, on-campus position within a leading research university.

Qualifications

• Embalmer/Funeral Director license plus ~3–5 years of related experience.
• Experience with dissection, specimen preparation or other detailed technical work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to support faculty and students.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up anatomy teaching labs and classrooms with required materials.
• Regularly maintain, organize and clean dissecting and teaching spaces.
• Perform embalming of donated human remains and proper storage.
• Process donor paperwork and proper identification.
• Prepare teaching materials and troubleshoot equipment as needed.

Skills

Independent work

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Technical precision

Education

Embalmer/Funeral Director license

Tools

Computer software proficiency

Job description

Salary $33.70-$42.67 per hour ($56,952 - $72,113 per annum, 35 hours per week)

Classification

Classification T8

Provisional Statement

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The mission of the Department of Medical Neuroscience is to foster research and training in neuroscience that advances the understanding and treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Reporting to the Manager, Human Donation Program, the Anatomy Technician is responsible for the detailed and careful embalming of human cadavers, and for the technical and teaching support for the teaching laboratories and other resources in the Department, including all aspects of the Human Body Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Sets up gross anatomy, neuroanatomy and histology teaching laboratories and classrooms with required materials (full body cadavers, prosection brains, technical equipment, microscopes, etc.). Regular maintenance, organization and cleaning of the dissecting and teaching laboratories, clinical simulation lab and classrooms, preparation room, morgue, and museum/resource centre.
• Regular embalming of donated human remains; ensures that body has been properly cleaned, enclosed, correctly numbered, and ensure proper storage in cooler. This includes heavy lifting and movement of materials and equipment.
• Confirms receipt of proper donor legal documents/paperwork, correct identification of donor, check/confirm proper, and complete, filling out of on-site forms.
• As needed with regular use, measures and mixes chemicals to make embalming fluid, while adhering to university, laboratory and WHIMIS safety practices procedures. Careful and methodical removal, potting and setting of brains.
• Ongoing and annual preparation of new teaching materials, as requested. Regular general maintenance of equipment and ancillary equipment. Assesses requirements for upgrades and/or repairs to equipment. Troubleshoots technical difficulties.
• Assists in arrangement for interment services under the direction of the manager and performs other duties as required.

Note

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

Required Qualifications

• Embalmer/Funeral Director license plus approximately three to five years of related work experience.
• Experience with dissection, specimen preparation, or other highly detailed technical work requiring precision and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively support faculty, students, researchers, and departmental operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment supporting anatomy teaching and laboratory activities.

Assets

• Strong computer skills and proficiency with relevant software applications.
• Interest in pursuing anatomy training to enhance dissection skills and understanding of program offerings.
• Interest in completing forklift training.

Core Competencies

• Self-Awareness & Professionalism
• Integrity
• Respect & Inclusion
• Adaptability
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees ( NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit. We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information. If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here .

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