In the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, this class is accountable for directing the Toxicology Laboratory, which conducts analytical and chemical investigations of violent, sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths in the State of Connecticut in order to ensure accurate determination of presence of poisons, drugs, or chemicals in tissues of deceased humans.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives administrative direction from the Chief Medical Examiner or other administrative official.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Directs a laboratory staff of Principal Chemists, Chemist 2s, Chemist 1s, Laboratory Assistants, and other staff as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Directs staff and operations of the laboratory; coordinates, plans, and manages laboratory activities; formulates laboratory goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of laboratory budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of laboratory who might impact on program activities; reviews circumstances surrounding each death and considers age of decedent, manner of death, occupational and lifestyle histories as well as evidence of drug abuse or natural disease; specifies tissue specimens to be used for analysis and selects analytical techniques appropriate to each case; identifies related evidence including suspected poisons submitted by medical examiners, police, and other persons; coordinates pick up, delivery, and receipt of specimens from examinations and autopsies in Medical Examiner's cases; conducts more difficult analyses; collates laboratory results and discusses findings with pathologist or Chief Medical Examiner; prepares final toxicology reports; interprets laboratory results for courts and medical community; conducts research and may develop new analytical procedures; may participate in training programs; performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
Considerable knowledge of principles of analytical chemistry and related analytical disciplines such as spectrophotometry and spectrography; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of computer applications to analytical procedures; knowledge of physical, physiological, and pharmacological effects of poisons and their absorption, storage, and elimination; knowledge of proper handling of radioactive materials; knowledge of current source literature in fields of toxicology and pharmacology; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in operation of complex analytical instruments such as ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometers and gas chromatographs; ability to troubleshoot electronic instrumentation; ability to function as an expert in a court of law.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
General Experience:
A Ph.D. in Toxicology or a closely related field from an accredited institution and two (2) years of experience in the field of forensic toxicology performing chemical analysis of tissues and body fluids for toxic agents in a lead capacity.
Note:
For State employees lead capacity will be interpreted at the level of Principal Chemist (Toxicology).
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
2.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
Note:
Non-Examined refers to Section 5-219 of the Connecticut General Statutes which permits appointment of candidates to competitive positions without formal examination when a professional license, professional degree, accreditation, or certificate is a mandatory requirement for appointment to a class.
This replaces the existing specification for the same class in Salary Group MP 68 approved effective July 21, 1994. (Revised to non-examined status)
