Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior - Northern District

DHRM • Manassas, VA

22h

About The Position

The Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior supports the Forensic Autopsy Services Supervisor in maintaining efficient, compliant morgue operations and assists Assistant Chief Medical Examiners (Forensic Pathologists) with autopsies. Duties include making initial incisions for organ removal and weighing, collecting body fluids and tissues for retention and testing, and collecting and preserving evidence. The position helps ensure continuity of morgue operations when the supervisor is unavailable and may assist with ordering, inventory, and purchasing supplies.

The Senior Technician helps train new employees, instruct current staff and trainees, and supports compliance with policies, procedures, and safety standards. Other duties include preparing bodies for examination by weighing and photographing them and completing X-rays; cleaning the morgue; ensuring morgue equipment and vehicles are properly maintained; and instructing internal and external personnel on morgue procedures. The position ensures OSHA compliance and responds to mass disaster scenes.

The role primarily works day shifts but may be requested or required to work weekends, evenings, nights, and state holidays. It may also require out-of-district assignments for rotations of up to two weeks.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of serving in a leadership capacity and providing technical guidance and training.
• Considerable working knowledge of anatomy, evidence collection, chain of custody, autopsy assistance, morgue operations, and confidentiality, acquired through direct experience or equivalent education.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), database use, and data entry, with strong keyboarding skills.
• Ability to push, pull, or maneuver weights of 500 pounds or more, with or without assistance; stand for long periods; and traverse uphill, rocky, or otherwise unstable terrain.
• Ability to respond to mass disaster scenes and other out-of-district assignments for rotations of up to two weeks.
• Basic photography skills, including digital camera use and saving images to media such as CD, USB, or a digital server.
• Ability to work days, weekends, and some holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• 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 a related field.
• Training as an autopsy technician or medicolegal death investigator.
• Experience obtaining, maintaining, and shipping collected specimens for analyses, consultations, or other purposes.
• Training and experience in digital radiography and digital dental radiography.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations for biohazard and chemical work environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist Assistant Chief Medical Examiners with autopsies, including initial incisions, organ removal and weighing.
• Collect body fluids and tissues for retention and applicable testing; collect and preserve evidence.
• Help maintain continuity of morgue operations when the supervisor is unavailable.
• Assist with ordering, inventory, and purchasing of supplies as needed.
• Assist with training new employees, provide ongoing instruction to current staff, and support trainees rotating through the office.
• Work with the supervisor to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Prepare bodies for examination by weighing and photographing them and completing X-rays.
• Clean the morgue facility and ensure morgue equipment and vehicles receive proper maintenance.
• Instruct internal and external personnel on morgue procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
• Respond to mass disaster scenes and other out-of-district assignments as required.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plans, including a 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Sick leave
• Family/personal leave
• Annual leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed