State of Maryland

An Assistant Toxicologist Post Mortem, Quality Assurance is the expert level of work conducting tests to identify over the counter, prescription and illicit substances in biological specimens to assist Medical Examiners in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in determining the cause of death and serving as the Toxicology Quality Assurance Manager, responsible for coordinating the quality assurance program for an entire Toxicology Laboratory. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees receive general supervision from the Chief Toxicologist Post Mortem. Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and on the weekends. The work is performed in a laboratory setting at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.

The Assistant Toxicologist Post Mortem, Quality Assurance is differentiated from the Assistant Toxicologist Post Mortem Lead/Advanced in that the Assistant Toxicologist Post Mortem Quality Assurance performs quality assurance functions overseeing the work of an entire Toxicology laboratory, while the Assistant Toxicologist Post Mortem Lead/Advanced performs either the Lead or Advanced level of work at the Diplomate or Fellow level of certification.

Receives, accessions, stores, analyzes and discards submitted case specimens in accordance with the chain of custody rules;

Analyzes postmortem specimens for alkaline extractable drugs and acidic/neutral drugs by gas chromatography and/or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in accordance with the Toxicology Laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures Manual;

Analyzes specimens for morphine, benzodiazepines, oxymorphone by ELISA and confirms positive findings by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in accordance with the Laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures Manual;

Analyzes specimens for fentanyl by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in accordance with the Laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures Manual;

Analyzes specimens for alcohol by gas chromatography in accordance with the Toxicology Laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures Manual;

Performs specialty testing on case or research specimens under the direction of the Chief Toxicologist;

Operates, maintains and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation;

Performs technical and administrative review of laboratory casework;

Develops and validates new and updated analytical methods;

Provides technical guidance to other laboratory staff;

Successful completion of all required training and competency testing;

Successful completion of continuing education assignments;

Maintains overall cleanliness of the laboratory area;

Maintains and updates the Quality Manual;

Reviews and approves validation of new technical procedures;

Assists with and coordinates preventative and corrective actions and root cause analysis;

Monitors laboratory practices to verify compliance with laboratory standard operating procedures, policies and accreditation standards;

Assists with investigation of technical problems and recommends actions to resolve problems;

Reviews and maintains instrument maintenance records;

Maintains laboratory document control;

Maintains laboratory training records;

Maintains proficiency testing records;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of college-level chemistry;

Knowledge of laboratory procedures, practices, methods, and instrumentation;

Ability to perform analytical test procedures and obtain accurate and precise results;

Ability to understand and follow Toxicology Laboratory procedures and policies;

Ability to learn the application of standard precautions in handling potentially infectious biological materials or hazardous chemicals;

Ability to learn to operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.

Class Descriptions are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements. The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.