Forensic Autopsy Technician (Tidewater District)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health, Tidewater District in Norfolk, seeks a full-time Forensic Autopsy Technician to assist physicians with autopsies, evidence collection, and body handling. Responsibilities include preparing bodies, weighing specimens, photographing them, and maintaining morgue facilities.

The position requires physical capability to lift 500+ pounds and availability for rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• General working knowledge of anatomy, evidence collection, chain of custody, autopsy assistance, morgue operations, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist in completing autopsies, including initial incisions and organ weighing.
• Collect body fluids and tissues for retention and testing; collect and preserve evidence.
• Retrieve, admit, and release bodies per policies and regulations; ensure proper documentation.
• Prepare bodies for examination; weigh and photograph; perform X-rays.
• Clean morgue facilities and maintain equipment; train internal/external staff on morgue procedures.
• May work day shifts; weekend/evening/night/holiday rotations; respond to mass disaster scenes.

Skills

Effective communication

Anatomy knowledge

MS Office

Data entry

Mass disaster response

Photography basics

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital photography tools

Job description

Title: Forensic Autopsy Technician (Tidewater District)

State Role Title:Laboratory & Research Spec I

Hiring Range: $48,700 - $55,400

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-TDWT

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Tidewater (Eastern) District, located in Norfolk Virginia, is seeking a full-time Forensic Autopsy Technician. The Forensic Autopsy Technician will be 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 be responsible for retrieving, admitting, and releasing bodies in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations. Other characteristic duties include preparing bodies for examination by weighing and photographing bodies and completing x-rays. This position along with other forensic technicians are 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Must have general working knowledge of anatomy, evidence collection, chain of custody, autopsy assistance, morgue operations, and confidentiality through direct experience or equivalent education
• Must have experience 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)

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.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

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

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

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.

Contact Information

Name: Kourtney Dudley

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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.