Autopsy Technician II

State of North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, OCME division, is seeking an Autopsy Technician II (S) in Raleigh to perform medicolegal autopsies, eviscerations, and specimen collection under strict safety standards.

This senior position coordinates body receipt, storage, transport, evidence handling with chain‑of‑custody, and records in the Medical Examiner Information System, while guiding Autopsy Technician I staff and collaborating with law enforcement and public health partners.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in a related field with two years of pathology/forensic experience.
• Experience performing eviscerations and dissections during medicolegal autopsies with strict safety adherence.
• Ability to document case information accurately in the Medical Examiner Information System.

Responsibilities

• Perform eviscerations and gross dissections during medicolegal autopsies.
• Follow OSHA and OCME safety protocols in autopsy procedures and facility operations.
• Dispose of medical waste and maintain autopsy suite cleanliness.
• Coordinate receipt, storage, transportation, and release of bodies per protocol.
• Maintain chain-of-custody documentation for evidence.

Skills

Autopsy experience

OSHA safety protocols

Chain-of-custody documentation

Record-keeping in MEIS

Training Autopsy Technician I staff

Education

Associate Degree in biological/anatomical/forensic sciences

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.

Please visit our website for more info: https://www.ocme.dhhs.nc.gov/

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the OCME

We are located in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Weekly Food Trucks
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NC OCME Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate Degree in the biological/anatomical, forensic, mortuary/funeral, or criminal justice sciences from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in the field of pathology, forensic pathology or decedent care

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form