Forensic Pathology Technician

Job Information
Job Title: Forensic Pathology Technician
Job Requisition ID: 86472
Ministry: Justice
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full-time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open
Closing Date: August 17, 2026
Classification: Technologies 4
Salary: $2,516.23 to $3,153.40 bi-weekly ($65,673 - $82.303/year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.
Alberta Justice helps ensure all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities while having access to a fair and innovative justice system. Working alongside its partners in law enforcement, family justice, health, the judiciary, the criminal justice system and other stakeholders, the ministry has a direct or shared responsibility in all elements of the justice system in Alberta.
Follow this link to find out more about our department! https://www.alberta.ca/justice.aspx.
The staff members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are committed to the provision of high-quality services to Albertans. Activities performed enable the Office to certify the cause and manner of death in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act; provide forensic service, assist in educating Albertans in time of grief; and develop and maintain a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology.
Information regarding the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner can be found by visiting our website at: https://www.alberta.ca/office-chief-medical-examiner.

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 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 (e.g.: forensic pathologists). 
• Assists medical examiners during external examinations to ensure all information necessary to the case is obtained.
• Performs autopsies 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 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.
• Enters information into the database accurately and in a timely manner.
• Completes administrative duties and tasks assigned from supervisor.
• Participates in supervising observers and students to ensure safety precautions are upheld and promotes educational programs.
• Teaches students’ autopsy evisceration technique and procedure.

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 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 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 (FIA) and Protection and Privacy Act (POPA).
• 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.

The Job Description is provided for Further details on 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.

• 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 in a heath/medical field, Certificate and a minimum of three (3) years related experience in a health/medical field.
Required:

• 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.
• Experience working with Microsoft office suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Asset:

• Previous front-line health/medical occupation experience. (Forensic Assistant/Technician, Paramedic, Nurse LPN/RN, etc.)
• Previous necropsy experience.

 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Hours of work: Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours – Shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (36.25 hours/week) (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) permanent position
Locations: Edmonton: Medical Examiner Building – 7007 – 116th Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5R8.
Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).
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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resoures for information. 
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Krista Lammie at Krista.Lammie@gov.ab.ca.