Core Research Facility Technician II

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for a variety of tasks within the CTSI Biorepository Laboratory, adhering to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and CAP/CLIA accreditation requirements. Key responsibilities include procuring, dissecting, processing, and preserving human tissue and bodily fluid specimens, maintaining regulatory compliance, monitoring equipment, assisting with SOP development, and providing exceptional customer service to investigators and clients. The role also involves training new staff and ensuring the laboratory operates in accordance with university, EH&S, IRB, and College of American Pathologists accreditation standards.

Requirements

High school diploma and 3 years of relevant experience.
Core or technology specific licensure and/or certifications where applicable.
Yearly certificate and compliance training if required.
BA/BS in related scientific field required with hands-on experience in basic laboratory and scientific methods.
Alternatively, 3 years of experience in science related field with at least 2 years in core specific applications.
Core or technology specific licensure and/or certifications where applicable.
Additionally, yearly certificate and compliance training if required.

Nice To Haves

Research-based experience preferred.
Experience working in research laboratory environment highly preferred.
Analytical ability to assist in the development of standard operating procedures.
Organizational skills to maintain flow of laboratory processes and track multiple studies and clients simultaneously.
Communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of staff (investigators, physicians, OR staff, administrators, gross room staff, technicians, etc.) and external governing agencies.
Ability to oversee laboratory projects and develop processes and procedures aligned with intended Biorepository outcomes.
Knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology preferred.
Familiar with surgical pathology/ tissue dissection procedures.
Familiar with human specimen processing and handling.
Ability to work in a potentially stressful environment.
Ability to learn various aspects of laboratory operations.
Experienced with providing exceptional customer service within an academic healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Procure and dissect tissue, bodily fluid and other specimens according to GLP Standards by following appropriate SOPs.
Identify patients who have consented for surgery through communication with CTSI Biorepository regulatory staff.
Coordinate with faculty surgeons, nursing staff, the operating room staff, and surgical pathology gross room staff and other Biorepository team members to acquire tissue and other specimens.
Procure, dissect, process and preserve human tissue, bodily fluid and other specimen types according to standard operating procedure.
Document relevant data on appropriate forms; enter data into the OnCore database; store the specimen in appropriate location assist in the verification process of all specimens and data.
Provide superior customer service to investigators and external clients by assisting with requested services including distributing specimens, providing updated notification regarding procurement and distribution process and following appropriate specimen handling and shipping procedures.
Perform quarterly QA procedures of Biorepository Library specimens as well as client specimens and keep QA records up to date.
Training of new Biorepository staff in all laboratory processes and procedures as well as performing annual competency testing.
Create reports to identify sample locations for requested samples and utilize this information to complete specimen requests.
Direct the required pathologist confirmation of all outgoing specimens and assess feasibility of distribution.
Perform day-to-day laboratory processes as well as training of new staff in CAP-accredited SOPs and requirements.
Perform annual competency assessments of all staff.
Responsible for maintaining required regulatory documents in order and ensure that laboratory is operating in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the University, EH&S, IRB requirements and the College of American Pathologists Biorepository accreditation program.
Establish and maintain positive and professional relationships with pathologists, physicians, nurses, OR staff, surgical pathology staff and other medical and research professionals throughout the health system in order to maintain and further Biorepository partnerships and relationships.
Monitor and document instrument/equipment performance used in the CTSI Biorepository Laboratory.
Assist in daily/ weekly, monthly maintenance and schedule calibration of all necessary equipment according to GLP Standards.
File CTSI Biorepository documents in the appropriate locations.
Supervise annual EHS & lab safety and biosafety inspections.
Assist in the writing and editing of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and development of forms used for CTSI Biorepository Laboratory processes.
Perform all laboratory processes according to relevant issued SOP and document all data on appropriate forms.
Prepare deviation if processes not performed according to the issued SOPS.
Perform bi-annual SOP verification.
Establish and manage a strong, effective working relationship with multiple clinical and research departments within Shands and the UF College of Medicine such as pathologists and other physicians, nurses, OR staff, surgical pathology staff, Molecular Pathology Core and other medical and research professionals.
Assess the status of sample shipments upon arrival, record relevant information on the appropriate forms, enter data in the Biorepository database, store specimens in appropriate locations, and generate appropriate reports to be sent to recipient sites according to the appropriate SOPs.
Maintain up to date inventory for the CTSI Biorepository supplies and assist the supervisor as needed including assessing the status of any shipment received in the CTSI Biorepository.
Perform all processes according to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and CAP/CLIA accreditation requirements following the appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).