Forensic Toxicology Lab Director

Medical Examiner’s Office

Hourly Range:  $55.63 – $83.43

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths, and determines the cause and manner of death. The goal of the Toxicology Laboratory is to provide high quality timely analysis to assist the Medical Examiner’s Office in determination of cause and manner of death.

Job Summary: The Forensic Toxicology Lab Director, is responsible for implementing quality assurance measures and management systems for the operation and administration of the laboratory to ensure compliance with ANAB-ABFT and ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation guidelines as well as the NAME accreditation standards. The Director is required to remain accessible to personnel at all levels and must remain familiar with details of laboratory systems and quality metrics.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Provide senior strategic leadership and promote all aspects of the Medical Examiner’s Office Forensic Toxicology laboratory mission, including delivering high quality lab results, innovation, and growth. Ensure new technologies meet the needs of complex prescription and illicit drug environment. Attend all appropriate department meetings. Maintain knowledge and education on new and emerging drug trends through networking, attending national and regional conferences, and reviewing scientific literature. Drive innovative quality improvement solutions.
• Supervise, review, and delegate job responsibilities. Ensure reliability of results are maintained within staffing structure. Maintain proficiency testing requirements within College of American Pathology (CAP), Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and Pennsylvania State Laboratory of Hygiene (PSLH) or other external quality assurance program as required. Investigate failures for compliance and institute correction action solutions. Manage accreditation guidelines and toxicology report production.  Direct the purchasing of materials. Conduct annual personnel evaluations and manage staff as needed. Manage quality control for assay and instrument systems. Build and update Standard Operating Procedures for assays and instrumentation.
•  Develop and maintain active and effective quality management and improvement program with a focus on delivery of accurate timely results, and client satisfaction. Quality system is required to comply with ISO 17025 guidelines for accreditation requirements.
• Provide oversight for educational activities, including continuing education opportunities, a curriculum for staff, forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, undergraduate students, and other learners. Participate in Forensic Pathology Fellowship education.
• Collaborate with the Chief Medical Examiner, Information Management Services Division, and Milwaukee County Human Resources to maintain personnel files/records, administer performance reviews, performance improvement plans, corrective action, and employee relation matters, including involvement with recruitment.
• Testify in court trials and inquests as factual or expert witness. Maintain knowledge of Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), American Standards Board (ASB), and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to provide expert court testimony based on best practices, guidelines, and forensic standards.
• Participate in department approved research activities including preparation, presentations, and publication of findings.
• Integrate new technology and equipment into the laboratory. This includes the development of validation protocols and the review of validation data.
• Perform all laboratory director duties as required by ABFT/ ANAB and NAME. Assure the laboratory meets all accreditation regulations and requirements of accreditation agencies and Milwaukee County. Ensure that an up-to-date policies and procedures manual is available to all personnel responsible for testing.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Authorized to work in the United States; Wisconsin residency within six (6) months of hire date.
• Current valid driver’s license maintained throughout employment.
• Must be or eligible to become board certified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or a similar certifying board to meet the CLIA requirements for a Laboratory Director.
• Candidates with any of the following combination of education and experience will qualify:
• Ph.D. in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least three (3) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
• Master’s degree in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least five (5) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least seven (7) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
• Board-certified medical doctors with specialty training in clinical pathology/anatomic, and toxicology with at least three (3) years of experience will be considered.
• In addition, candidates must have at least three (3) years of supervisory and/or management experience.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience in use of Microsoft Office Software, specifically Word and Excel.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25lbs.
• Note: Position requires a criminal background check; felony and some misdemeanor convictions would be a barrier to employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  Knowledge of the methods, principles, and practices of a forensic toxicology laboratory; skilled in the use of computer word processing applications; interviewing and report writing skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to hear and see to perform work safely; ability to stand, sit, or move for long periods of time; ability to work in an environment which may include unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells; and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others; ability to maintain sensitive or confidential information.

NOTE:  This Original application is open to qualified residents of the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of starting date. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.