Forensic Pathology Technician

**Job Information**:
Job Requisition ID: 46686

Ministry: Justice

Location: Edmonton - One (1) permanent
- This competition will be used to fill current or future vacancies for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in both Edmonton and Calgary locations._

Full or Part-Time: Full-time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Scope: Open

Closing Date: August 16, 2023

Classification: Subsidiary 12B 3625 Technologies 4

**About Us**:
The Ministry of Alberta Justice helps ensure that all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities while having access to a fair and innovative justice system. Working alongside its partners in law enforcement, family justice, health, the judiciary, criminal justice system and other stakeholders, the ministry has a direct or shared responsibility in all elements of the justice system in Alberta. To follow this link find out more about our department

The staff members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are committed to the provision of high quality services to Albertans. Activities performed enable the Office to certify the cause and manner of death in accordance with the Fatalities Inquiries Act; provide forensic service, assist in educating Albertans in time of grief; and develop and maintain a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology.

Information regarding the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner can be found by visiting our website at:
**Role**:
This position is responsible for the technical aspects of the operation of the morgue in the Medical Examiner’s Office. This includes admission and release of bodies from the morgue, the preparation of bodies for positive identification, the preparation of bodies for autopsy or external examinations, the evisceration of bodies and weighing of organs during the autopsy, the collection of appropriate specimens, cleaning of workstations and the overall morgue maintenance.

**Position Overview**:

- Performs timely and accurate admission of decedents to the morgue in order to organize the daily workload.
- Provides technical support to determine positive identification of decedent.
- Performs, processes and stores post-mortem x-rays both routinely and in consultation with the Medical Examiner/Forensic Pathologist.
- Provides assistance to the Medical Examiner during external examinations to ensure all information necessary to the case is obtained.
- Performs autopsies in order to assist the Medical Examiner with gathering information needed for case investigation.
- Performs clean up duties, sanitizing, and resets stations with sharpened tools after each autopsy/external exam.
- Releases all bodies from the morgue to stakeholders/funeral homes in order to accommodate families and facilitate storage requirements.
- Performs the collection of and arranges proper transfer of toxicological, microbiological, and other specimens to the laboratories to ensure samples are received in a timely manner for testing requested by the Medical Examiner.
- Enters information into the database accurately and in a timely manner.
- Completes administrative duties and tasks assigned from supervisor.
- Participates in supervising observers and students to ensure safety precautions are upheld and promotes educational programs; teaches students’ autopsy evisceration technique and procedure.
- Have knowledge of contents of Sexual Assault Kits and Firearm Primer Residue Kits in the collection of evidence during homicide/criminal cases.
- Have knowledge of specialized techniques that must be developed in order to properly extract toxicological specimens from decomposed, putrefied maggot infested bodies, children, mutilated injured bodies and high-risk cases.
- Have knowledge of the internal human anatomy that is essential in order to recognize any abnormal artifacts and relay this information to the Pathologist/Medical Examiner.
- Have knowledge in the ability to perform autopsies, external examinations, extraction of toxicological specimens, and development of specialized techniques.
- Comply with the current workplace health and safety, and respectful workplace policies.
- Have knowledge of the Fatality Inquiries Act and FOIP.
- Possess clear and concise communication skills as this is required for direct interaction with the Medical Examiner, Medical Investigators, Police personnel, funeral homes and internal staff members.

**Qualifications**:
A two-year technical diploma in medical or biology related field plus a minimum of 2 years of experience working in a medical field is required. (e.g.: Nursing, Paramedic, etc.)

**Required**:

- Experience working with Microsoft office suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Please outline how your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your written ability will be assessed through your cover letter.

**Asset**:

- Previous front line medical occupatio