Pathology Assistant - Autopsy Service

East Carolina University; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University in Greenville, NC is seeking a Pathology Assistant - Autopsy Service to join the forensic/autopsy pathology team. You will record external features, assist with evisceration, take forensic photographs, and collect toxicology and other specimens as part of autopsy services.

Responsibilities include supporting instruction of PA students and residents, and ensuring adherence to department procedures during autopsy and related activities.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with others including law enforcement and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with ability to adapt techniques.
• Physically dexterous for autopsy procedures and specimen collection.

Responsibilities

• Record external features for decedents undergoing autopsy.
• Perform evisceration and organ examination per protocol.
• Assist in teaching pathologist's assistant students and residents.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in laboratory science

60 semester hours with 24 in MLT or 24 science including chem/biology

Job description

Job Title

Pathology Assistant - Autopsy Service

Position Number

500714

Vacancy Open to

All Candidates

Department

EHH BSOM Pathology

Department Homepage

https://pathology.ecu.edu

Advertising Department

PATHOLOGY & LAB MED. - ADMIN

Division

ECU Health/BSOM

Classification Title

Manager

Working Title

Pathology Assistant - Autopsy Service

Number of Vacancies

1

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time

Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

$81,434-$116,376

Position Location (City)

Greenville

Position Type

Non-Faculty

Job Category

Non-Faculty Professional

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East Carolina University (ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Academic Affairs, led by the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, comprises the university's colleges, schools and libraries, along with other academic support and administrative units. Academic Affairs works collaboratively to strengthen ECU's culture of academic excellence in line with our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation.

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is composed of departments that function to increase the supply of primary care physicians to serve the state; improve the health and well‑being of the region; and train physicians who will meet the healthcare needs of the state. The ECU Brody School of Medicine is aligned with ECU Health as a clinically integrated academic healthcare organization. This integration allows the two organizations to provide efficient, effective and high‑quality care to eastern North Carolina residents. For more information, visit ECUHealth.org.

In the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine the mission is to improve the health and well‑being of citizens of eastern North Carolina and beyond by delivering high‑quality pathology services, by providing exemplary education, and creating new knowledge through research.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Pathologists' Assistant position's primary responsibility is participation in the forensic/autopsy pathology service. The Pathologist Assistant reports directly to the department chair. Responsibilities include recording of external features for decedent's undergoing autopsy, evisceration of decedents that are undergoing complete autopsy/internal examination, forensic photography, collection of toxicology specimens, and other miscellaneous procedures that include, but are not limited to performance and packaging of sexual assault kits, preparation of neurologic specimens for send out to consultant neuropathologists, and collection of microbiology specimens for processing by the microbiology laboratory. The pathologists' assistant will assist with the instruction of pathologists' assistant students in autopsy pathology techniques.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Performing forensic and hospital examinations, conducting forensic photography, assist with organ examination and removal (70%)
• Instruct and supervise pathologist's assistant students, pathology residents and other learners (25%)
• Compliance with department procedures and operational activities (5%)

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Candidates must meet requirements for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) high complexity testing, which are an earned associate degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology obtained from an accredited institution, OR equivalent education and training that includes completion of 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution that must include 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses that includes 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination. Candidates must be able to apply standard protocols and techniques related to autopsy performance. Candidates must have excellent communication skills and ability to work with others including law enforcement and other stakeholders, and possess the cognitive ability to adapt techniques when appropriate. Candidates must be detail‑oriented, and possess the physical ability and dexterity to eviscerate and perform prosection for autopsies.

The Pathologist Assistant must apply for appointment as a North Carolina Medical examiner within 6 months of starting the job, which will allow for independent performance of external‑only examinations and completion of death certificates.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Board eligibility or certification as a Pathologists Assistant is preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicant

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Job Open Date

10/07/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date.

Initial Screening Begins

10/21/2026

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/97447

Nondiscrimination Statement

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.