Medical Technologist Research Biobank, VCHRI

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Salaried – Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title
Medical Technologist Research Biobank, VCHRI

Department
Clinical Research Unit tendersglobal.net Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute tendersglobal.net Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$4,434.02 – $5,228.81 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
March 8, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Mar 30, 2025

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
 

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The laboratory medical technologist is responsible for the day-to-day running of the VCHRI CRU Biobank in order to support research study applications and ensure the accurate consent, collection and proper handling of specimens identified for research purposes with research laboratories in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Organizational Status

The VCHRI CRU assists investigators with the conduct of industry funded, grant funded or investigator initialed clinical trials. All research in the VCHRI CRU is conducted with the highest standards of good clinical practice (GCP).

The VCHRI CRU Director in coordination with the Study pathologist will direct the Medical Technologist, Research Biobank, VCHRI in all research activities. The incumbent works with other members of the research team as well as other hospital groups, health care professionals and study participants.

Work Performed

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the biobank.

• Provides leadership in the on-going development of the biobank.

• Maintain, update and create biobank SOP s as required including participant consent, sample collection, sample processing, sample storage, sample release, quality assurance and data entry.

• Performs/facilitates the routine harvesting of specimens to obtain tissue for use by other researchers and research areas, with appropriate consultation with a Pathologist as required.

• Review request for service requests, and initiates Statement of Work. Formats study worksheets for data collection to include procedures for collection, labeling, log-in, and sample handling.

• Maintains all databases related to the Biobank and ethic policies. Oversees activity of users.

• Ensures proper handling of specimens; meets with technologists and lab assistants to advise how specimens should be handled in accordance with established policies and procedures.  

• Arranges for the collection of specimens with surgical suites; reviews and handles requests for access to archived materials and ensures documentation is provided, that requests have been approved by a relevant ethics committee; locates appropriate archival specimens for research, sends to the appropriate research facility and monitors for timely return.  

• Performs routine lab duties such as fixing tissue (FFPE and OCT); freezing tissue; processing and separating blood into components and derivatives. Contributing to the development of technical SOPs; labeling and tracking samples,(entering consent, collection details and pathology reports in the Open Specimen database)

• Communicates with patients to inform them about research projects such as biobanks, obtains and documents consent, communicates with patients if consent is withdrawn and draws blood and/or arranges for blood collection .

• Retrieves tissues for quality assurance when requested by the Study pathologist. Investigates and resolves sample discrepancies.  

• Prepares specimens for transport to other facilities by methods such as packaging items, completing related transport forms in accordance with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and Transportation of Dangerous Goods guidelines.

• Responds to enquiries from researchers regarding study feasibility,  collection procedures, tissue availability, retrieval and delivery

• Manage and maintain inventory of supplies by methods such as identifying depleting stock, notifying applicable personnel and/or completing requisitions and forwarding to Supervisor for approval and ordering.

• Participates in departmental training programs in related areas with a view to learning new/existing tests and procedures by methods such as attending training sessions and demonstrations, being coached/mentored on new testing benches, reading training materials and demonstrating competencies for newly learned tests/ procedures.

• Maintains a clean and safe work area creating and implementing equipment and work area maintenance records including checking equipment function, replacing hood filters, cleaning laboratory equipment, work surfaces and benches according to established procedures and storing items in appropriate areas.

• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.  

Communication:

• Facilitates internal and external meetings

• Holds regular status meetings with project teams

• Work with biobank users to establish processes that meet their needs

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
All duties require attention to detail and adherence to UBC Research Ethics Board (REB) and TCPS2 policies. When assisting with research documents it is essential to maintain confidentiality and practice discretion. Errors could result in REB approval delays, study approval being suspended and would reflect poorly on the VCH Research Institute, VCHRI CRU and Biobank. Breaches in confidentiality, inattention to detail and data entry errors could have significant effect on the integrity of the research. 
Supervision Received
Supervised by VCHRI Clinical Research Unit Director in coordination with the Head, Division of Anatomical Pathology. 
Supervision Given
None. 
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
– Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

– Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute.

• Minimum of 3 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• CP Certified. Certificate in Venipuncture required.

• Experience with Open Specimen an asset.

• Basic knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care preferred.

• Comprehensive knowledge of UBC Research Ethics Board, (REB) and Tri-Council Policy (TCPS2).

• Experience with using UBC RISe (Research Information System) in order to submit ethic applications Training in WHMIS, Chemical Safety, Biological Safety and Transportation of Dangerous Goods required.

• Ability to operate job-related equipment (e.g., centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, etc.).

• Ability to conduct job-related interviews to obtain accurate, complete, and relevant information in order to determine suitability for studies and, where applicable, obtain patient consent.

• Ability to perform research-related procedures (e.g., prepare solutions) (e.g., dissecting) (e.g., prepare specimens).

• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to analyze and interpret data, determine implications, and provide recommendations.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to effectively use MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel at an intermediate level.

• Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.

• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines in a constantly changing environment.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.

• Ability to respond appropriately to inquiries in person, on phone, and in writing, in a calm and courteous manner.

• Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required.

• Comprehensive knowledge of UBC Research Ethics Board (REB) and Tri-Council Policy (TCPS2).

• Ability to accurately create and maintain records.

• Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, and instructions.

• Working knowledge of overall lab operations (i.e. using various research techniques to fix tissue, freeze tissue, etc.).

• Ability to exercise tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality.

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. (e.g., lifting less than 10lbs, standing), Demonstrated ability to be independently motivated, organized and detail oriented.

• Experience in research or clinical trials.

There is no Work From Home/Hybrid option for this position.