Laboratory Assistant 1 (Part-Time 24 hours/week)

The State of Connecticut, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a free-standing. modern facility located on the UCONN Health Center Campus in Farmington, CT.  The office is a state-wide medical examiner system charged with the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths that, by statute, fall under our jurisdiction. 

We are recruiting for 2 part-time Laboratory Assistant 1 positions to work 24 hrs./week, with benefits eligibility.  Applicants will be provided with the schedule of the position during the recruitment process and must be flexible and open to all shifts (holiday coverage is also required).  The Laboratory Assistant 1 positions at OCME are part of the essential operations of the statewide death investigation system through telecommunications and laboratory support.  The incumbents in these positions will be responsible for:

• Answering incoming calls, including reports of death that require OCME investigation; 
• Acquiring preliminary case information to input/edit cases into computerized systems and coordinate the level of the OCME investigation through interactions with Medicolegal Death Investigators and Forensic Pathologists; 
• Coordinating scene response with Investigations and Forensic Technicians and the removal, transport and release of bodies with funeral homes or hospitals;
• Acting as liaison to police departments, hospitals and physicians and the tissue/organ recovery teams;
• Typing and assembling related paperwork;
• Checking and documenting personal property and evidence;
• Relaying information to the public;
• Assisting with preparing bodies for identification;
• Performs related duties as required.

In addition, individuals in these positions, may:

• Clean and sterilize glassware, utensils and laboratory instruments;
• Operate basic laboratory equipment;
• Prepare simple solutions and reagents; 
• Be required to properly handle evidence, prepare biological samples for transportation to outside laboratories;
• Assist with procedures in the in-house histology and anthropology laboratories;
• Transport biological evidence to and from OCME.

Note:  In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation will be completed before the candidate is certified for appointment.

Should you have questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office:  860-952-9054.

NOTE:  The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13B (2a) and 13D (2a).

In a state health, academic or diagnostic laboratory this class is accountable for receiving training in and performing with increasing independence routine technical laboratory work with emphasis on solution and sample preparation or performing processing and laboratory functions for investigated cases.

Receives training in basic technical laboratory procedures and techniques; prepares simple solutions, stains, culture media and/or reagents according to written instructions; prepares specimens and/or samples for examinations; maintains records of work performed; may perform simple and routine tests and examinations under supervision; performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

Answers incoming calls and inputs and/or edits cases into computerized system; coordinates removal, transport and release of bodies with funeral homes or hospitals; acts as liaison to police departments, hospitals, physicians and Assistant Medical Examiners; types and assembles related paperwork; checks and documents personal property and evidence; relays information to public; assists with preparing bodies for identification; may clean and sterilize glassware, utensils and laboratory instruments; may operate basic laboratory equipment; may prepare simple solutions and reagents; performs related duties as required.

Some knowledge of laboratory equipment, procedures, techniques and terminology; some knowledge of medical terminology; interpersonal skills; ability to carry out written and oral instructions; ability to apply policies and procedures; some typing ability; ability to carry out simple calculations and keep simple technical records; manual dexterity.

One (1) year of experience in a laboratory or medical setting.

Graduation from high school with courses in mathematics and science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Proficiency with medical terminology preferred. 
• Work-related proficiency using a multiline telephone. 
• Comfort level in speaking with members of the public and medical professionals over the telephone.  
• Strong understanding of prioritization of duties and workflows / triage. 
• Proficiency with electronic medical record systems, MS Office, including Excel, and Adobe Acrobat also preferred.

Incumbents in this class must be willing to undergo periodic tests or immunizations for communicable diseases as necessary.

Incumbents in this class may occasionally be required to lift standard laboratory equipment and supplies, may be exposed to some risk of injury from such elements as toxic vapors or broken glass and may be exposed to disagreeable conditions including communicable infectious diseases.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.