Coordinator Stem Cell Lab - Laboratory Services Ancillary - Roper Hospital

Roper St. Francis Healthcare•Charleston, SC

13d

About The Position

The Stem Cell Lab Coordinator performs hematopoietic stem cell product modification, including plasma and red blood cell depletion, buffy coat preparation, density-separated cell preparation, cryopreservation, hematopoietic cell cultures, and protocol-defined cellular subset depletion or purging. The role also performs testing in the Blood Bank Laboratory and maintains quality and performance-improvement practices, laboratory controls, supplies, reagents, and equipment. The Bone Marrow Transplantation Program Medical Director serves as the Bone Marrow Processing Facility Medical Director. The coordinator performs stem cell collection, manipulation, and cryopreservation in accordance with standard operating procedures and protocols; develops and maintains processing-facility policies, procedures, and a detailed SOP manual; and ensures compliance with FAHCT, CAP, and AABB standards. The role includes routine laboratory testing, quality-control and safety checks, preventive maintenance, and maintenance of a computerized database covering collection, product content, and cryopreservation details. The coordinator collaborates with other transplant programs and organizations and keeps current with developments in stem cell graft engineering. Hours vary based on collections. The usual schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but work may run later and include weekends. The position requires 24-hour availability by beeper for emergencies and may require call and work on weekends or holidays based on departmental needs. The work involves frequent standing and walking, lifting and moving patients, frequent pushing or pulling over 50 pounds, intermittent lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds, and exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, and potential infectious materials. The employee must be able to work under stressful conditions, deadlines, or irregular hours.

Requirements

Current registration in Medical Technology with the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Credentialing Agency (NCA); experience may be accepted in lieu of certification requirements.
Associate degree required.
At least two years of experience as a medical technologist required.
Knowledge of bone marrow transplantation and bone marrow stem cell processing, including applicable bone marrow processing, blood bank, hematology laboratory, and institutional standards of care.
Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures and common safety precautions.
Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions; prepare and maintain records; and write reports.
Ability to use office equipment, including telephones, computer terminals, databases, and copiers.
Ability to use clinical equipment, including a cell washing machine, microscope, cell counter, centrifuges, and nitrogen blood freezers.
Ability to analyze situations, apply critical thinking, and react calmly and effectively in emergencies.
Ability to communicate assertively and professionally and collaborate with other disciplines.
Ability to meet the physical demands of frequent standing, walking, patient lifting or moving, pushing or pulling, hand dexterity, and reaching.
Ability to work irregular hours, take call, work weekends or holidays as needed, and remain available by beeper 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Corrected hearing and vision within the normal range.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of an accredited university with a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or a bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biology.
Master's degree.
Bone marrow processing laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

Collect, manipulate, and cryopreserve hematopoietic stem cell products according to established standard operating procedures and protocols.
Perform product modifications, including plasma depletion, red blood cell depletion, buffy coat preparation, density-separated cell preparation, hematopoietic cell cultures, and protocol-defined cellular subset depletion or purging.
Perform routine and stat testing in the Laboratory, including Blood Bank Laboratory testing, following written policies and procedures.
Establish, implement, and routinely use quality-control and management policies and procedures.
Perform routine safety checks and preventive maintenance on instruments and complete them in a timely manner.
Develop and implement bone marrow processing facility policies and procedures in compliance with FAHCT, CAP, and AABB standards.
Establish performance-improvement procedures and document conformity of bone marrow processing operations with applicable standards.
Establish and maintain a detailed Standard Operating Procedure Manual for the bone marrow processing facility.
Maintain a computerized database of specified information about collection, content, and cryopreservation of peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow.
Collaborate with individuals in other bone marrow transplant programs and with local, state, national, and international organizations, consistent with program goals.
Keep abreast of new developments and techniques in stem cell graft engineering.
Maintain performance-improvement standards, records, reports, and laboratory supplies, reagents, and associated equipment.
Provide 24-hour beeper availability for emergencies and take call or work weekends and holidays according to departmental needs.