Forensic Support Assistant

Title: Forensic Support Assistant

State Role Title: Laboratory and Research Tech

Hiring Range: $16.20 -$22.00 /hr

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-TDWT

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Chief Medical Examiner is actively seeking to recruit a Forensic Support Assistant. This is a wage position and averages 15-29 hours per week, not to exceed 1500 hours in a year and is not eligible for benefits. This position is responsible for working days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

The Forensic Support Assistant it responsible for the processing the receipt and release of decedent at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which includes physically moving of dead bodies, processing the evidence/personal belongings, and ensuring the integrity of the evidence recovered and store at the Medical Examiner’s office in accordance with policies and procedures.

This position provides support to the forensic autopsy services unit in the morgue, including after hours, on weekend and holidays. This position is responsible for the cleanliness of the morgue areas while on duty, laundering and organization of linens in the morgue and may assist with other duties, such as organizing toxicology specimens and supplies, assisting local medical examiners with external examinations, etc. Surveillance of refrigeration systems of body storage areas. Monitors access and admittance of all individuals entering the morgue areas while on duty, including law enforcement funeral home/transport personnel, and organ procurement organizations. Reports unusual or emergency conditions to appropriate personnel and authorities.

This position will be responsible for answering telephone calls to the morgue during shift and field questions from hospitals, funeral homes, doctors, families, and police agencies. This position will also perform administrative duties to include, but not limited to data entry, filing, faxing, photocopying, and printing of photographs.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience performing administrative duties including faxing, filing, and photocopying.
Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
Ability to follow office policies and procedures without direct supervision.
Knowledge of OSHA and safety, security procedures.
Reading and writing ability to properly complete chain of custody documents and reading of surveillance thermometers.
Ability to push/pull 100 to 500lbs and lift with assistance.

Additional Considerations

Previous experience with human remains in a hospital, morgue, funeral home or medical examiner’s facility.
Experience/training with handling evidence and/or personal effects

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.

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!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this
application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to
respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Jessica Vaughan

Phone: n/a

Email: jessica.vaughan@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.