Senior Toxicologist

Duties:

• Analyzes biological specimens for the presence or absence of prescription, over-the-counter and illicit drugs to help medical examiners determine cause of death; reviews data and results created by co-workers for preliminary approval before final approval by Chief Toxicologist.
• Validates new and updated analytical methods; enters case results into the computer system; prepares and validates reference standard solutions; performs acid, basic and neutral drugs extractions.
• Testifies in depositions and court for interpretation of data; prepares biological samples for routine alcohol and drug testing; performs analysis on the biological samples to confirm and determine the presence of drugs and poisons; makes calibration curves for the drugs; performs data analysis and quantitate the drugs in the samples from the cases; performs advanced chemical analyses on postmortem specimens to determine and quantify drugs and/or other toxic substances.
• Reviews analytical data for accuracy and quality assurance; performs equipment maintenance and calibrations; supervises and trains new team members.
• Maintains and troubleshoots all instruments in the lab.
• Assists the Chief Toxicologist in whatever capacity is necessary to accomplish the goals of the laboratory.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in toxicology, chemistry, forensic science or closely related biomedical field.
• Requires two (2) years in a full service toxicology laboratory.

Special Certifications and Licenses Required:

• The State of Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Alcohol Testing Program (ATP) Permit to Conduct Blood Alcohol Analysis is required and must be obtained within two (2) years of application to the program with the application process initiated within the first year in this classification.

Preferences:

• Considerable ability to organize and thoroughly document all examinations performed
• Demonstrate working knowledge of chemical analyses and standard laboratory analytical and safety procedures and protocols
• Graduate of an accredited College or University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Science, Toxicology/Pharmacology, Chemistry, or closely related biological science
• Two (2) years of experience in laboratory work or any equivalent combination of relevant training and experience; at least two (2) year of laboratory experience in a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory is preferred
• Ability to thoroughly, comprehensively, and accurately review, record, and report instrument and equipment readings outputs, and analytical results
• Ability to sit, speak, write, listen and use basic motor skills required in the operation of typical laboratory instrumentation and equipment
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of analytical analysis and the theory, operation, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment such as pipettors, analytical balances, centrifuges, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers, and immunoassay analyzers employed in the analysis, detection, identification, and quantitation of drugs, metabolites, and toxic agents in biological specimens, especially human postmortem body fluids and tissues
• Ability to use a personal computer and basic office software
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of scientific principles and practices; Blood Borne Pathogen and chemical safety rules and regulations; Chain of Custody for handling and storing evidence and biological specimens
• Experience in Deposition and/or Courtroom Testimony with respect to Laboratory Practice, Analytical Findings, etc.
• General knowledge of the drugs and drug classes commonly used, misused, or abused; including common names, Drug Class, and accepted Medical Indication.
• Thorough ability to review, record, and report analytical results accurately
• Extensive knowledge of chemical analysis and laboratory procedures

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