Autopsy Technician II

nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks an Autopsy Technician II (S) to perform medicolegal autopsies, ensure safety compliance, and manage evidence with strict chain‑of‑custody procedures. The role coordinates body receipt, storage, and release, while supporting investigations with law enforcement and public health partners.

The position emphasizes eviscerations, dissections, specimen collection, radiographic procedures, and data entry into the Medical Examiner

Qualifications

• Experience performing medicolegal autopsies.
• Ability to follow safety protocols per OSHA/OCME.
• Strong record-keeping and evidence handling.

Responsibilities

• Perform eviscerations, gross anatomical dissections, specimen collection, and related procedures during medicolegal autopsies.
• Follow OSHA and OCME safety protocols during autopsy procedures and facility operations.
• Dispose of medical waste according to established safety requirements and maintain the cleanliness of the autopsy suite and equipment.
• Coordinate the receipt, storage, transportation, and release of bodies using established protocols.
• Handle and preserve evidence by maintaining accurate chain‑of‑custody documentation.
• Capture autopsy photographs and perform radiographic procedures as needed.
• Record and enter case information into the Medical Examiner Information System.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and public health agencies during investigations, including those involving suspected bioterrorism or mass fatalities.
• Manage autopsy facility materials, including inventory, equipment, supplies, and scheduling needs.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical support to Autopsy Technician I personnel.

Skills

Autopsy experience

Chain‑of‑custody documentation

Evidence handling

Medical examiner data entry

Forensic collaboration

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Autopsy Technician II (S)

Position Number

60041125

Grade

MH11

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Autopsy Technician II position functions as a senior autopsy technician responsible for assisting in medicolegal autopsies and ensuring compliance with established safety standards. It performs eviscerations, gross anatomic dissections, specimen collection, medical waste disposal, and body storage tasks under defined operational protocols.

This role coordinates the receipt and release of bodies, maintains facility cleanliness, and handles evidence using required chain‑of‑custody procedures. It also takes photographs, performs radiographic procedures, and records case information in the Medical Examiner Information System while supporting investigations with law enforcement and public health partners. Additionally, the position manages autopsy facility materials and provides training and guidance to Autopsy Technician I staff.

Key Duties Include:

• Perform eviscerations, gross anatomic dissections, specimen collection, and related procedures during medicolegal autopsies.
• Follow OSHA and OCME safety protocols during autopsy procedures and facility operations.
• Dispose of medical waste according to established safety requirements and maintain the cleanliness of the autopsy suite and equipment.
• Coordinate the receipt, storage, transportation, and release of bodies using established protocols.
• Handle and preserve evidence by maintaining accurate chain‑of‑custody documentation.
• Capture autopsy photographs and perform radiographic procedures as needed.
• Record and enter case information into the Medical Examiner Information System.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and public health agencies during investigations, including those involving suspected bioterrorism or mass fatalities.
• Manage autopsy facility materials, including inventory, equipment, supplies, and scheduling needs.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical support to Autopsy Technician I personnel.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $50,331.00 - $75,497.00

Recruitment Range: $50,331.00 - $51,841.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Documented experience performing eviscerations, gross anatomical dissections, and specimen collection during medicolegal autopsies while consistently adhering to established safety protocols.
• Skilled in maintaining accurate chain‑of‑custody documentation and handling physical evidence in accordance with investigative and forensic requirements.
• Proficient experience completing detailed case records and entering information into the Medical Examiner Information System with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.
• Proven experience coordinating body receipt, transportation, storage, and release processes while managing inventory, supplies, and equipment within an autopsy facility.
• Experience providing procedural guidance and on‑the‑job support to Autopsy Technician I staff and collaborating with law enforcement or public health partners during investigative activities.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME):

The North Carolina Medical Examiner System is a network of medical doctors and allied health professionals throughout North Carolina who voluntarily devote their time, energy, and medical expertise to see that deaths of a suspicious, unusual or unnatural nature are adequately investigated. The OCME investigates all deaths in North Carolina due to injury or violence, as well as natural deaths that are suspicious, unusual, or unattended by a medical professional.

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