Toxicologist

Duties:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

• Completes chain of custody for specimens entering the toxicology laboratory; organizes and maintains proper storage of all lab specimens; performs Volatiles analysis (Blood Alcohol Content) on morgue and toxicology specimens.
• Prepares specimens for analysis; performs Basic Metabolic Analysis on morgue specimens; performs toxicological analysis on human specimens; logs in specimens.
• Calibrates and maintains instruments; prepares and analyzes reports; provides court testimony; prints narratives and assigns testing; performs immunoassay/alcohol testing.
• Retrieves and logs morgue and DUI (driving under the influence) specimens; organizes and discards stored specimens; performs quality control, assurance and maintenance.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Requires a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in toxicology, chemistry, forensic science or closely related biomedical field.
• Requires one (1) year of experience 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.
• One (1) year of experience in laboratory work or any equivalent combination of relevant training and experience; 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.
• General knowledge of the drugs and drug classes commonly used, misused, or abused; including common names, Drug Class, and accepted Medical Indication.

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