State of Maryland

An Animal Autopsy Technician is the full performance level of work as an autopsy technician in an animal health laboratory.   Employees in this classification assists in the performance of animal autopsy examinations and takes responsibility for maintenance, sterilization and cleanliness of the autopsy area and equipment under the supervision of professional personnel.  Employees in this classification keep records in reference to the disposition of organs and incinerate post-mortem material.  Employees in this classification assist in animal care activities and in other basic service work when not engaged in autopsy room duties.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Laboratory Director or Pathologist.   Employees may be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays when scheduled.   Work is evaluated by observation of performance, maintenance of files and cleanliness of autopsy room and equipment.   

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.

Unloads animal carcasses from truck by means of a hoist and properly places them on the autopsy table;

Under the direction of a Pathologist, proceeds to section animals to be autopsied, remove organs, take samples and delivers them with written instructions to other laboratory workers;

Under limited supervision, conducts routine laboratory tests such as urine tests fecal examinations, routine blood counts, etc;

Chemically sterilizes and cleans autopsy area after all post-mortem examinations;

Cleans and maintains instruments and equipment for use in the area including autopsy tables, sinks, electric bone saws, dictating machine equipment, knives, and refrigerators;

Incinerates post-mortem specimen material;

Prepares solutions for routine and special fixations of organs;

Cleans, paints, and makes minor repairs to autopsy building; assists maintenance crew in making repairs to buildings;

Assists maintenance crew in animal caretaking activities and in maintenance of grounds and buildings, as needed;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of high school biology and chemistry;

Knowledge of the use and care of ordinary laboratory equipment;

Ability to handle large domestic animals;

Ability to perform duties without being adversely affected by the sight of blood or offensive odors;

Ability to clean and sterilize glassware, fragile laboratory equipment and instruments;

Ability to understand and effectively carry out instructions;

Ability to work harmoniously with others;

Ability to properly feed and house all species of animals in a manner that will meet animal care standards of both domestic and laboratory animals;

Ability to recognize abnormalities and report condition to supervisor;

Ability to take and record body temperatures and other required data, such as feed consumption, mortality, production, etc.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of experience in an animal autopsy area or assisting in veterinary surgery or working on a slaughter house kill floor.

Class specifications 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.

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

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.