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Form of work
SalaryResearch Lab TechI Department of Medicine Channing
- (3283001)
GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB) is one of the largest, most intensively studied, longitudinal cohorts in the World. CHCB houses the Nurses' Health Study (I and II), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Growing Up Today Study, and the Physician's Health Study I. CHCB manages the safe storage of over 3 million research biospecimens and distributes thousands of biospecimens annually for research.
We are currently recruiting for two- full time, Technical Research Assistants - Level I (entry level) candidates to perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the CHCB under supervision of the Senior Biobank Manager and Distribution Project Manager.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
No Direct Patient Care
1. Distribution: As part of a team, execute the production and distribution of projects by preparing the necessary computer files; retrieving biospecimens from Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) freezers; printing labels; aliquoting; adding quality control samples (QCs); double checking the project; creating of ship lists; arranging for local deliveries or shipments via courier; placing the remaining samples in permanent storage and updating the electronic records; and record all the details of each project.
2. Collections: Responsible on a day-to-day basis, under the Collection Laboratory Manager, for assisting when needed with incoming biospecimen collections: receiving, opening, and checking incoming collection kits for completeness; logging received kits and specimens into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); processing biospecimens according to standard operating protocols (SOPs); and storing these samples the LN2 freezers. Will perform testing for random quality control (QCT) tests to confirm original storage. Conduct data entry either manually or via Scantron for questionnaires and QCT data entry.
3. Data Recordation: Incumbent will be trained on how to use the LIMS and UNIX System and assist upper management, regularly, by discussing the process, improvement needs, and workflow.
4. Infrastructure: As part of a team, incumbent will be involved in semi-weekly monitoring: freezer health of 130 liquid nitrogen and 6 mechanical -80C freezers; the LN2 delivery system level and pressure; external bulk tank; and Dewar deliveries. Consolidate and update samples in the freezers. Assist in organization of temporary storage, quality controls, and drift pools.
5. Emergency Responder: In very rare cases, incumbent is expected to assist the team when a freezer emergency occurs. May be asked to come in during the evening or on a weekend for a few hours to assist for the urgent transfer of biospecimens, which will be generously compensated.
6. General: As needed, incumbent will be required to contribute to other general activities such as proofreading, contributing, and/or writing SOPs; organization and inventory of supplies; and presenting items to be ordered.
QUALIFICATIONS:
§ Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, required.
§ Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential.
§ Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens, strongly preferred.
§ Experience with Robotics, a plus;
§ Ability to lift 26-pound freezer racks is required- Please see “PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB” (Below).
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
1. Ability to understand scientific terminology.
2. Strict attention to detail.
3. Has a comfort level with computers and databases.
4. Possesses a friendly, professional personality and is a thoughtful listener.
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
6. Excellent communication and organization skills
7. Ability to carry out careful laboratory technique.
8. Must be able to lift heavy racks and push heavy equipment.
HOSPITAL WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES:These are required of all staff, regardless of position. Do not remove these standards.
Works within legal, regulatory, accreditation and ethical practice standards relevant to the position and as established by BWH/Partners; follows safe practices required for the position; complies with appropriate BWH and Partners policies and procedures; fulfills any training required by BWH and/or Partners, as appropriate; brings potential matters of non-compliance to the attention of the supervisor or other appropriate hospital staff.
Comply with all HIPPA regulations. Uphold all safety standards of the hospital and EHS. Must keep hospital, laboratory, biosafety, and human subject training, as well as vaccinations, up to date.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Not Applicable.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The work takes place in both an office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings. Frequent exposure to LN2 freezers, housed in strictly monitored air ventilation rooms. Walking between the three sites is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimen and LN2 occurs daily.
Occasional trips to area hospitals, universities, and companies are required to meet with collaborating investigators and/or to deliver samples. Very infrequently, candidate may be asked to respond to assist the staff with freezer emergency (done as a group), if a freezer is in failure.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: No Applicabl
The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified.
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB
Outdoor weather conditions: 5 % of the time per month, to deliver projects to labs
Extreme cold (non-weather): 25 % of the time
Exposure to blood borne pathogens: 50% of the time
Dust or other irritants: 50% of the time
Infectious / contagious disease: 50% of the time
Cleaning agents/chemicals: 10% of the time
Hot equipment: 1% of the time
Noisy equipment: 10% of the time
Humid or wet conditions (non -weather): 10% of the time
Other LN2: LIQUID NITROGEN: 25-50% of the time
Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job
Up to 10 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time
Up to 25 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time
Push/Pull Requirements of this job:
Up to 10 pounds: 25-50% of the time
Up to 25 pounds: 25-50% of the time
Up to 50 pounds: 1-25% of the time
Up to 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time
Over 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time
Physical Activity requirements of this job:
Stand: 1-25% of the time
Walk: 1-25% of the time
Sit: 25-50% of the time
Use of hands requiring fine motor skills and sense of touch: Over 75% of the time
Move / rotate / bend wrist(s): 50-75% of the time
Type / use keyboard or other data entry device: 50-75% of the time
Reach with hands & arms: 50-75% of the time
Climb stairs: 1-25% of the time
Climb ladder or other equipment: 1-25% of the time
Balance: over 75% of the time
Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl: 1-25% of the time
Speak: 50-75% of the time
Hear: over 75% of the time
Close vision: Required
Distance vision: Required
Color vision: Required
Peripheral vision: Required
Depth perception: Required
Ability to adjust focus: Required
Safety equipment used while performing this job: Safety eye glasses, Lab Coat, Face Shield, Ear Plugs (during sonication), surgical mask (during COVID-19), latex or nitrile gloves, and Cryo gloves when needed.
Level of noise typical in this work environment: Moderate
BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
