Job Info
General Summary: Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB) 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. CHCB 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 CHCB under supervision of the Senior Biobank Manager and Collections' Manager.
Principal Duties:
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
- 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.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: No 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.
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOBActivityOutdoor 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 jobNumber of poundsUp 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 poundsUp 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 As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.
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