Biorepository Technician

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

1d•$20 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The goal of the NEALS Biorepository is to provide infrastructure to collect, store, and share biofluids (blood, spinal fluid, urine, fibroblasts, DNA, and RNA) and the accompanying clinical data with ALS researchers locally and globally. The Neurological Clinical Research Institute at MGH (MGH NCRI) maintains and continuously improves the infrastructure, coordination, operating procedures, and activities of the NEALS biorepository to provide consistent sample receipt, access and usage, and continued benefits in the form of scientific discovery and support for ALS translational and clinical research. Working as a part of the Coordinating Center at the Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) and as a member of the biorepository team on the site level, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting site research and coordinating center tasks associated with the collection, storage, and distribution of specimens from single and multi-site research studies which are stored within the biorepository. Duties include but are not limited to routine processing of blood, urine, and CSF, isolation of plasma and serum, receipt of specimens from external sites, distribution of specimens for approved research, maintaining processing room supplies and equipment, freezer maintenance, general specimen management, and project tracking. The incumbent will also be responsible for administrative support of the biorepository, including coordination of the regulatory and administrative requirements of the ALS Repository (Living Library) biobanking protocol.

Requirements

Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with colleagues from varied backgrounds, MDs, researchers, and other team members.
Must have careful attention to detail and good organizational skills. Ability to identify potential problems and troubleshoot solutions. Motivated.
Must possess integrity to maintain confidentiality and respect for subjects' rights and individual needs.
Must demonstrate accuracy in recording data.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Some basic computer literacy. Use of Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and electronic data capture databases, preferred.
Bachelor's Degree
2 years experience working in a biorepository or laboratory

Responsibilities

Adheres to the biorepository's quality assurance procedures, including documenting all: a. quality control activities; b. instrument and equipment verifications; c. maintenance and preventive maintenance.
Identify and document problems that may adversely affect specimen management and notify the supervisor and or biorepository manager.
Document all corrective actions taken when specimen management procedures deviate from the biorepository's established processes or requirements.
Monitoring and maintaining supplies associated with specimen collection, storage, and management under the biorepository’s purview.
Correspond with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for protocol approval, study continuation, annual reporting of studies, and submission of amendments. Supports the research activities of the center associated with the processing and managing of samples collected in research studies.
Maintains records and databases.
Accession routine patient specimens
Accurately enters information from source documents and manifests into the computer, following study-specific work instructions
Printing labels and affixing bar-coded labels to tubes and related documents
Managing inventory-related issues
Maintaining freezer temperature logs
Record keeping of equipment service, calibration, and preventative maintenance
Scheduling routine maintenance of biorepository equipment, including freezers, pipettes, and centrifuges
Assists in moving samples to backup freezers when equipment fails, is under repair or for general inventory management initiatives
Maintenance of shared specimen processing spaces
Monitored and ordered sample processing and management supplies
Maintaining sample inventory records, including location and distribution
Pulles and distributes samples for approved projects
Specimen processing, transfers specimens from racks to centrifuges and decant station.
Decants, sorts, and labels specimens.
Plasma extraction and storage
Serum extraction and storage
CSF processing and storage
Whole blood processing and storage
Urine processing and storage
Interact internally with other hospital departments such as wet labs, other biobanks, and Environmental Services as needed
Assists in collecting data for quality assurance and quality control programs
Sorts and prioritizes specimens delivered to the biorepository
Maintaining documentation regarding sample management, including but not limited to receipt and distributions.
Collects and organizes patient data, verifies accuracy, and updates study and biorepository documents required by the NCRI-MGH Biorepository program
Data entry of information into study databases
Maintains safety, practices safe work habits, and directs staff as needed.
Compliance with all biorepository regulations, CAP, and other regulatory agencies, as applicable.
Complies with biohazard safety standards by properly handling potentially hazardous chemical and biological agents in the workplace.
Uses universal safety precautions and proper personal protective equipment to protect self and co-workers from bio-hazardous materials, including blood-borne pathogens.
Completes annual biohazard/universal precaution safety training, as appropriate
Act as a resource for site staff on sample management questions as needed
Performs other administrative support duties as assigned
All other duties as assigned