Chemistry Technician II

State of North Carolina

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Forensic Chemistry Technician II is a technical position performing specimen accessioning and storage as well as basic routine assays required by a post-mortem, forensic toxicology laboratory, such as volatiles analysis, colorimetric tests and single analyte quantitation assays using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This position supports the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the State Medical Examiner System. The Forensic Chemistry Technician II performs daily assignments provided to them by the Forensic Chemistry Supervisor I. These duties require experience in operation of a variety of analytical laboratory equipment and the ability to deal with non-standard specimens. In addition, the Forensic Chemistry Technician II will be mainly responsible for accessioning, specimen storage and discard, filing and archiving, coordinating requests from outside agencies (DNA, outside testing), reagent making and homogenization of tissues to aid other laboratory staff, as well as telephone answering. The Forensic Chemistry Technician II will be expected to answer the main toxicology phone line to provide service to our customers for a variety of requests. Documentation of legal matters involving toxicology casework is critical, and these requests need to be handled in a timely manner. Results of the laboratory work are combined with preliminary autopsy findings to render final conclusions as to the cause and manner of death. The work is forensic in nature, and therefore timeliness and accuracy of results is critical and of the utmost importance. The Forensic Chemistry Technician II may function as a factual witness for the laboratory on the subject of chain-of-custody and/or toxicological analysis, and if required, may render fact-based opinions and testimony in court concerning the technical testing performed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution OR Associate's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related chemistry laboratory experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, biological sciences, and applicable legal principles such as chain of custody.
Proficiency in laboratory protocols, procedures, and analytical techniques, including complex chemical extractions.
Ability to independently perform, document, and interpret standard and advanced laboratory tests.
Ability to follow detailed written and oral instructions, apply theoretical concepts, and troubleshoot analytical problems.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

Accessioning biological samples into storage, data entry of received cases into database and filing cases.
Coordinating requests from outside agencies (DNA, outside testing, bloodspot cards)
Performing administrative duties including but not limited to auditing of completed toxicology reports, maintaining the child fatality tracking spreadsheet, and telephone answering to provide service to our customers for a variety of requests.
Performing routine analytical chemistry procedures on biological specimens to identify volatiles, drugs, and other toxicological compounds.
Preparing samples, reagents, standards, and quality control materials using documented laboratory protocols.
Following safety practices and quality assurance procedures to maintain compliance with laboratory standards.
Maintaining accurate records, instrument logs, and documentation to support legally defensible toxicology reporting.
Operating, calibrating, and adjusting complex instrumentation such as LC-MS/MS, spectrophotometric systems, and chromatography platforms.
Conducting extractions and sample preparation using techniques including protein precipitation.