Job Description

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11/16/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605973

Forensic Autopsy Technician

Pay Grade 12

Salary

$3,035.50 - $4,421.28 Monthly

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

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Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Office of the Secretary

Location

100 Sower Boulevard

Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (JPSC) - Office of the State Medical Examiner, announces an opening for a full-time forensic autopsy technician, available immediately, in Frankfort, Kentucky (Franklin County). The Medical Examiner’s (ME) program is comprised of forensic pathologists that are recognized as national leaders in their respective field. The physicians and staff of the ME program assist Kentucky coroners and law enforcement in all aspects of medicolegal death investigations. The primary role of the ME program is the performance of forensic autopsies to aid in the determination of the cause and manner of death.

The forensic autopsy technician is responsible for performing a variety of well-defined procedures by assisting forensic experts in processing complex cases requiring advanced forensic techniques. The technician assists forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, odontologists, and criminalists in conducting medicolegal autopsies. The technician plays a vital role and is a demanding position that requires maturity, reliability and self-discipline. This is an exceptional opportunity to work with the finest staff in the forensics field in a beautiful location.

The successful candidate will join 4 full-time forensic pathologists and 3 other forensic autopsy technicians in an office with a long history of stability within the community and the state. The new technician will receive initial, daily, hands-on training under the guidance and supervision of the attending pathologist and senior technicians located in the Frankfort Office as well as the NAME accredited, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Louisville—this office conducts over 1,800 examinations annually thereby offering a consistent, exceptional opportunity to develop a highly proficient skillset. As a state employee, the new forensic autopsy technician will enjoy full benefits, including family healthcare and flexible spending accounts, participation in the state retirement system, and options to participate in the deferred compensation program.

For more information about the Office of the State Medical Examiner, please visit:https://justice.ky.gov/Departments-Agencies/me/pages/default.aspx

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in dissecting the body; collection and proper storage of body fluids for chemical tests; removal foreign bodies and materials for evidentiary purposes. Assists in the collection of trace evidence and the maintenance of chain of custody. Performs x-rays. Ensures proper labeling of decedent, compares all paperwork, photo labels, and evidence labels. Documents histology. Takes photos as directed.
• Prepares for medicolegal autopsies by selecting appropriate materials, cleans autopsy suite and instruments. Assists forensic personnel in taking photographs of the bodies. Oversee all evidence collected and contacts appropriate agencies to collect. Receives, makes calls relating to conducting autopsies; receives, logs, releases decedent undergoing autopsies into and from the morgue.
• Transports bodies to and from morgue, and to and from autopsy suite. Ensures bodies are clean and restored to former state of integrity for release; collects, stores, disposes of tissues as appropriate.
• Cleans autopsy suite and instruments ensuring they are in proper working order. Ensures maintenance of an adequate stock of necessary equipment and supplies. Maintains work areas, does laundry, assists in serving as safety officer.
• Perform administrative duties such as typing and filing correspondence and reports. Update policy and procedure specific to chemical spills, emergency plans, incident reports, hazardous chemicals. Coordinate annual safety education for the staff. Does laundry (ME office scrubs and non-biohazardous material). Assists is maintaining logbooks for annual report statistics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, criminal justice, anthropology, forensic science, biochemistry, medical technology, anatomy, mortuary science, funeral services, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Two years of experience as an autopsy technician or two years' experience as a licensed embalmer, sworn law enforcement officer, certified coroner, or deputy coroner or in a forensics field will substitute for the required education. A combination of experience in any of the above areas totaling two years will also substitute for the required education. Certification and two years' experience as a radiological technician, medical laboratory technologist, or an operating room technician, or licensure and two years' experience as a practical nurse or registered nurse, emergency medical technician or paramedic will substitute for the required education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Requires regular handling of sharp surgical instruments, regular exposure to noxious odors and chemicals, and possible contact with contagious diseases, all of which may require compliance with applicable safety procedures.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Dr. William Ralston, MD at william.ralston@ky.gov or 502-489-5209.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D