Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Northern District

Go VCE; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Health seeks a Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior for the Northern District to support autopsy services and maintain morgue operations.

You will assist pathologists, collect evidence, prepare bodies, and help train staff, while ensuring safety, confidentiality, and OSHA compliance. Occasional weekend/evening shifts and mass disaster response are required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership capacity and ability to provide technical guidance and training.
• Extensive knowledge of anatomy, evidence collection, chain of custody, morgue operations, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist with autopsies under the supervision of the Forensic Autopsy Services Supervisor.
• Collect and preserve evidence, body fluids and tissues for testing.
• Weigh organs, prepare bodies for examination, and take x-rays.
• Maintain morgue operations, order supplies, and manage inventory.

Skills

Leadership

Anatomy knowledge

Evidence collection

Morgue operations

Office proficiency

Job description

Title: Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Northern District

State Role Title: Laboratory & Research Spec I

Hiring Range: $51,975-$65,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-NO

Agency Website: 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 is responsible for assisting the Assistant Chief Medical Examiners (Forensic Pathologists) in the completion of autopsies, including the initial incisions necessary for removing 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 and may assist with ordering, inventory and purchasing of supplies. Additional responsibilities include assisting with training new employees, providing ongoing instruction for current staff, and supporting trainees rotating through the office. In conjunction with the supervisor, this position will ensure compliance with policies, procedures and adherence to safety standards. Other characteristic duties include preparing bodies for examination by weighing and photographing bodies 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 work day shifts but may be requested/required to work weekends, evenings, nights, and state holidays. Ensures compliance with OSHA regulations. Responsible for responding to mass disaster scenes.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

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 workdays, weekends, and some holidays throughout the calendar year
• 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.

Employment Conditions

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 Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

Veteran Inclusion

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Kourtney Dudley

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Disability Inclusion

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.