Tissue Bank Assistant

Tissue Bank Assistant

This role is responsible for coordinating and assisting the acquisition, processing, and management of human tissue specimens in support of clinical and research initiatives. This position serves as a key liaison between clinical teams, surgical staff, pathology, and research operations to ensure timely and compliant specimen collection and handling. Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with medical oncologists, surgeons, interventional radiology teams, operating room staff, and pathologists to facilitate the collection of surgical and biopsy specimens
• Managing logistics related to operating room schedules, clinical workflows to ensure procurement of human tissue samples
• Receiving, retrieving, processing, and banking human tissue specimens from surgical and autopsy cases, including gross dissection of solid tissues and processing of blood products
• Preparing and distributing specimens for research use; maintaining accurate documentation of sample processing, storage, and disbursement
• Ensuring compliance with institutional protocols, regulatory guidelines, and ethical standards
• Program coordination and patient engagement: patient recruitment and coordination for the Hope for OTHERS Rapid Autopsy Program
• Maintaining ongoing communication with enrolled patients and clinical teams throughout the disease course to ensure program readiness
• Coordinating post-mortem logistics, including transport to the morgue and participation in autopsy procedures as needed
• Communicating sensitively with patients' families, balancing compassion and respect for the grieving process with the time-sensitive nature of rapid autopsy procedures
• Collaborating with medical teams to obtain timely updates and facilitate program execution

Job summary includes performing general laboratory tasks, maintaining inventory and equipment and ordering supplies and parts, performing quality control testing, and assisting other staff.

Essential functions include recruiting, following, and coordinating transportation of Hope for OTHERS rapid autopsy patients.

Physical effort is moderate. May be required to stand/move for several hours at a time. May be required to move objects up to 50 pounds with or without assistance of equipment.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment category: Full-time regular

Job classification: Staff. Laboratory Assistant

Job family: Research

Job sub-family: Laboratory

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum education level required: High School Diploma/GED

Minimum years of experience required: No experience required

Work schedule: 37.5 hours / Schedule will vary

Work arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.

Hiring range: TBD based upon qualifications

Relocation offered: No

Visa sponsorship provided: No

Background check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child protection clearances: Not applicable

Required documents: Resume

Optional documents: Cover Letter