Clinical Cell Therapy Associate - Variable Shifts

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Cell Therapy Associate supports the Cord Blood Bank Program by performing complex, specialized, and time-sensitive manipulation, testing, storage, and release procedures for cellular products used in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. The role helps ensure the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of cellular therapy products and supports patient treatment timelines through close collaboration with laboratory leadership, quality assurance, and clinical partners. Work takes place in a regulated laboratory and may include cleanroom environments requiring specialized gowning and aseptic technique. The position is 100% onsite and may be assigned to evening shifts; with advance notice, hours may change to other variable shifts during laboratory operating hours. Scheduling may be flexible and may require on-call shift activation based on product availability and scheduled patient procedures. The role includes processing and evaluating cellular products; preparing, receiving, storing, retrieving, and shipping products and samples; performing sterility and other product testing; maintaining equipment, supplies, and controlled records; conducting environmental monitoring; and documenting work in compliance with applicable regulations and accreditation standards. The associate is expected to maintain precise records, follow established procedures, perform accurate calculations, respond to schedule and procedural changes, and report deviations or quality concerns promptly. The required education is a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field. No prior experience is required. One year of prior experience in a cell therapy or clinical laboratory is preferred; the posting also notes that flow cytometry or cGMP cell therapy laboratory experience is preferred. The stated hourly range is $24.27 minimum, $30.28 midpoint, and $36.29 maximum. Benefits include employer-paid medical coverage starting on day one for employees working 30 or more hours per week, optional dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance, PTO and Extended Illness Bank accruals, paid holidays, wellness and childcare leave options, tuition assistance after six months of service, wellness and fitness resources, employee resource groups, a defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field.
Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately follow complex technical procedures.
Ability to maintain aseptic technique and work in regulated laboratory and cleanroom environments.
Meticulous documentation and adherence to regulatory and quality standards governing cellular therapy laboratories.
Ability to perform accurate calculations related to cellular products.
Adaptability to changing procedures and schedules.

Nice To Haves

One year of prior experience in a cell therapy or clinical laboratory.
Experience with flow cytometry.
Experience in a cGMP cell therapy laboratory.

Responsibilities

Perform cell manipulation and evaluation procedures, including cryopreservation, cell enrichment or purging, cell evaluation and sorting, and cell product thawing and washing.
Maintain aseptic technique and follow facility cleaning and gowning requirements, including specialized cleanroom attire when required.
Complete annual competency evaluations, media fill, and proficiency testing for procedures with established competency.
Perform accurate calculations for cell doses, viabilities, dilutions, and cell concentrations, including use of downtime procedures and worksheets.
Perform product characterization and specification assays, including cell counts, sterility testing, flow cytometry, and colony-forming unit enumeration.
Retrieve cord blood product samples while maintaining cryogenic temperatures, and prepare samples for internal assessments or shipment to reference laboratories.
Create requisitions and prepare patient, cord blood, and maternal blood samples for transport for HLA identification, ABO/RH typing, infectious disease testing, or other screening.
Prepare and catalog reference samples, maintain appropriate storage, and document storage locations, retrieval conditions, and temperatures.
Receive and test sterility samples, reagents, and media used in cellular therapeutic product manufacturing; coordinate testing of positive sterility samples.
Prepare sterility samples and associated documentation for reference laboratory transport, notify laboratories and quality assurance of relevant issues, and coordinate courier pickup.
Prepare cellular products and associated reference samples for shipment to transplant centers; verify unit identity, dry shipper requirements, documentation, and courier release materials.
Prepare non-clinical cord blood units for transport to research facilities and ensure disposition reports and approvals are complete.
Retrieve and discard frozen products and samples that are disapproved for research or clinical banking, verify identification and records, and generate disposition reports.
Document sample storage, movement, retrieval, and disposal in tracking applications, databases, or quality records.
Manage supplies, verify expiry dates, follow first-in/first-out practices, and create formulations using the validated inventory control application.
Prepare and qualify reagents and media used in cord blood manufacturing and testing, documenting activities concurrently.
Perform assigned environmental monitoring, collect and document daily air particle counts, enumerate colonies on TSA and SDA plates, and report alert or alarm counts to quality assurance and management.
Perform routine facility, room, and equipment quality control and maintenance, troubleshoot equipment, and conduct and document quarterly incubator cleaning.
Assist with receipt, testing, and reporting of environmental cultures received from the Cord Blood Bank, SCTCT, or other MD Anderson departments.
Use computer systems and databases to enter, retrieve, and compile data, complete laboratory records, and prepare reports for review.
Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with FDA Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Tissue Practices, and applicable accreditation standards, including FDA, FACT/Netcord, and CAP.
Document deviations and events, notify appropriate supervisors and quality personnel promptly, and assist with investigations and corrective actions.
Adapt to flexible schedules and procedural changes, including possible on-call shift activation, to support timely product preparation.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
PTO and Extended Illness Bank accruals.
Paid holidays.
Wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
Wellness and fitness resources.
Employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System.
Voluntary retirement plans.
Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Educational opportunities and individual and team recognition.