Technical Research Asst I 40HR/M-F/DAY
Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH)

Boston, Massachusetts

Posted in Health and Safety


This job has expired.

Job Info


GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT: Summarize the nature and level of work performed.

BWH/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (BHCB) is one of the largest, most intensively studied, longitudinal cohorts in the world, including the Nurses' Health Study (I and II), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Growing Up Today Study, and the Physician's Health Study I. BHCB manages the safe storage of over 3 million research biospecimens and distributes thousands of specimens annually for research.

We are currently recruiting for one fulltime, Technical Research Assistant- Level I (entry level) position to perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the BHCB under supervision of the Senior Biobank Manager and Collections Manager.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation.

No Direct Patient Care

  • Collections: Responsible on a day-to-day basis, under the Collection Laboratory Manager, for receiving, opening and checking incoming specimen collection kits for completeness, logging received kits and specimens into a LIMS system and logbooks, processing biospecimens according to standardized SOPs, and storing samples in liquid nitrogen freezers. Assist with design of Quality Control testing and then perform random QC tests to ensure sample type, location and IDs of samples are correct. Conduct data entry either manually or scanning Scantron questionnaires and QC check the data entry.
  • Production and Distribution (P/D): As part of a team, execute production and distribution projects by preparing the necessary computer files; pulling specimen for LN2 freezers; aliquoting; adding quality control samples to projects; double checking a project; create of ship lists; arrange delivery of shipments; and record all details/steps of each project.
  • Data Recordation: Incumbent will be or expected to become a fluent Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) user and assist Management regularly by discuss process, improvement needs, and workflow.
  • Infrastructure: As part of a team, incumbent will be involved in weekly monitoring: freezer health of 130 liquid nitrogen; the LN2 Piping System level and pressure; and external bulk tank and deliveries. Consolidation of freezers when warranted.
  • General: As needed, incumbent will be required to contribute to other general activities such as writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), keep inventory of supplies and recommend items that need to be ordered.


  • Qualifications
    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Bachelor's degree in life sciences, required;
    • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential;
    • Comfort handling human biological specimen, strongly preferred;
    • Experience with Robotics, a plus;
    • Ability to lift 26-pound freezer racks is required- see "PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB" (Below);

    SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
  • Ability to work independently under the direction of the collection manager or senior research and biobank manager.
  • A high comfort level with computers and databases.
  • Friendly, professional, and thoughtful listener when speaking to participants on the phone. Able to keep participant confidentiality.
  • Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written.
  • Adhere to established laboratory SOPS, directions of supervisors, and complex institutional guidelines.
  • Excellent organizational skills in order to formulate, implement, and monitor a number of interrelated tasks.
  • Careful laboratory technique.
  • Ability to contribute as a member of a laboratory team.
  • Strong scientific curiosity and demonstrated involvement in scientific endeavors
  • The ability to pay strict attention to detail on a continuous basis to ensure that research results are valid and error-free.
  • Must be able to lift heavy racks and push heavy nitrogen tanks

  • HOSPITAL WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES:

    Comply with all HIPPA regulations. Uphold all safety standards of the hospital and EHS. Keep hospital and laboratory safety, as well as, CITI training "up-to-date" and current.

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Not Applicable

    WORKING CONDITIONS: Describe the conditions in which the work is performed.

    The work takes place in both an office and laboratory settings. Frequent exposure to Liquid nitrogen (LN2) freezers, which are located in basement locations with controlled air ventilation. Walking between the three sites is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimen and LN2 occurs daily.

    Occasional trips to area hospitals are required to meet with collaborating investigators and to deliver samples. Infrequently, weekend work to process blood samples may be required.

    FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Not applicable

    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

    Activity

    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
    Number of pounds

    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:
    Number of pounds

    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

    Vision Requirements of this job:

    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

    EEO Statement
    We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.


    This job has expired.

    More Health and Safety jobs


    Behavioral Health Network, Inc.
    Springfield, Massachusetts
    Posted 24 minutes ago

    Behavioral Health Network, Inc.
    Springfield, Massachusetts
    Posted 23 minutes ago

    Behavioral Health Network, Inc.
    Springfield, Massachusetts
    Posted 23 minutes ago

    Get Hired Faster

    Subscribe to job alerts and upload your resume!

    *By registering with our site, you agree to our
    Terms and Privacy Policy.