Title: Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Tidewater District
State Role Title: Laboratory & Research Spec I
Hiring Range: $49,000 - $60,000
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 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.
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 work days, weekends, and some holidays throughout the calendar yea
• Valid Driver's License
Additional Considerations
• Previous experience with human remains in a hospital, morgue, funeral home or medical examiner or coroner's office.
• Relevant training and experience in forensic sciences, health sciences, or related field preferred.
• Training as an autopsy technician or medicolegal death investigator
• 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.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should
include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental
questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent
knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.
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.
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.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening
Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Contact Information
Name: Vontrell Hodges
Phone: 804-461-7605
Email: Vontrell.Hodges@vdh.virginia,gov
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.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
