Forensic Pathology Technician

Role Responsibilities

The Forensic Pathology Technician 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 medical examiners (i.e, forensic pathologists). 
• Assists medical examiners during external examinations to ensure all necessary information to the case is obtained. 
• Performs autopsies in order to assist medical examiners 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 appropriate laboratories to ensure samples are received in a timely manner for testing requested by medical examiners.
• Enter information into the database accurately and in a timely manner.
• Completes administrative duties and tasks assigned by supervisor.
• Participates in supervising observers and students to ensure safety precautions are upheld and promotes educational programs.
• Teach students’ autopsy evisceration techniques and procedures.

The successful candidate will:

• 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.
  
  

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Systems Thinking - able to understand the broader impact of your work and to anticipate outcomes.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments - contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
  
  
• Agility - to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
  
  
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.

Qualifications

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

Equivalencies will be considered: Degree and a minimum of two (2) years related experience, Certificate and a minimum of three (3) years related experience.

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 health/medical occupation experience. (Forensic Assistant/Technician, Paramedic, Nurse LPN/RN, etc.)
• Previous necropsy experience.
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

• Hours of work: Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours, 36.25 hours/week – Shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (All shifts will be determined by the supervisor. There may be times that you could be required to work statutory holidays.)
• Positions Currently available: One (1) temporary salaried position with an expected end date of September 30, 2026.
• Locations: Edmonton: Medical Examiner Building – 7007 – 116th Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5R8.
  
  

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.