Medical Lab Scientist I Cell Manipulation Core Facility

Medical Lab Scientist I

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you're making a difference in people's lives.

The Randi and Brian Schwartz Family Cancer Immunotherapy and Cell Manipulation Facility at the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is seeking a Medical Lab Scientist I to manufacture and/or process cellular immunotherapy products that are being administered to patients in the context of either standard of care therapy or clinical trials. The Schwartz Family Facility brings together some of the brightest scientific minds in cancer immunotherapy and serves as a manufacturing center in which BIDMC's physician-scientists develop immune-based treatments, including a promising experimental cancer vaccine, CART cell therapies, and other novel forms of cellular immunotherapy. The lab meets "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) specifications. The Schwartz Family Facility is the state-of-the-art laboratory expands BIDMC's research capacity with the ultimate goal of accelerating the delivery of new immunotherapies to patients with cancer.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Under the direction of a MLSII, lab manager manufacture/process more than minimally manipulated clinical human therapeutic cellular products inside an ISO Class 7 clean room of the GMP facility in accordance to established standard operating procedures, applicable regulations, and safety regulations.

2. Performs routine testing, preparing of specimens, and evaluation of test results. Review and evaluate test results for acceptability including manual cell counts, viability results, immunohistochemistry staining and sterility testing results. Evaluates QC and calibration results for acceptability following established laboratory policies before reporting patient results.

3. Contribute to publication of findings as needed. Participate in the preparation of written documents, including procedures, presentations, and proposals. Assist with orientation and training of new staff or students on lab procedures or techniques. Present information on research and laboratory work to others at laboratory meetings, journal clubs, and seminars.

4. Ensures accuracy of test results. Evaluate test results, accurately enter and maintain records of procedures and enter data, both manually and on electronic data capture systems, and reports critical/urgent test results to providers according to established laboratory policies. Reviews own work to ensure that all work products are accurate, consistent with standards, and produced in a timely manner. Document production operations in corresponding batch records and log sheets according to cGMPs and established SOPs.

5. Performs general lab maintenance as needed; clean room equipment sanitization, perform environmental monitoring of work area and laboratory. Participates in the evaluation of new methods, procedures and instruments and in the development of technical standard operating procedures under the direction of the laboratory leadership. Participate in validations of new procedures, including working with vendors/trial sponsors.

6. Under general supervision performs and documents start-up, quality control, calibration, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting procedure on instruments and laboratory equipment per established laboratory protocols. Report facility and equipment failure and alarms to laboratory management. Identify and evaluate problems related to product preparation, including issues with instrumentation, reagents, and documentation. Appropriately communicates outcomes, including escalating problems to supervisors and managers. Respond to all emergency calls promptly for critical equipment failure.

7. Assists with inventory management to maintain adequate supplies for patients testing and processing. Maintain lab stock of reagents and processing supplies, manage safety records, and manage storeroom and ensure proper storage requirements are met and provide general lab support as needed.

8. Applicant should be very organized, detail-oriented, intellectually motivated, and have excellent communication skills. Applicant will be involved in a defined research project with collaborative, team-oriented supervision. Organizational and planning skills and the ability to cooperate with others in a team environment will be critical to success.

9. Participate in mandatory and voluntary continuing education to stay current with developments in the field of laboratory medicine. Completes all required competency assessments including the running and resulting of proficiency testing samples. Upgrade job skills to stay relevant and to progress in field.

10. Practice safe work habits and adhere to all established laboratory safety and infection control policies and procedures. Follows all OSHA guidelines.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory, Life Sciences or Medical Technology required.

Registration ASCP Registered preferred.

0-1 years related work experience required.

Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.

Preferred Qualifications:

Successful completion of a clinical laboratory medicine rotation, clinical practicum, or equivalent clinical laboratory experience.

Competencies:

Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are based on specific instructions, standard practices and established procedures which generally require little or no supervision.

Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are routine, somewhat repetitive and generally solved by following clear directions and procedures and by identifying opportunities for process improvements.

Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures. May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines. Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations. Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.

Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.

Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.

Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.

Team Work: Ability to interact respectfully with other employees, professional staff and/or external contacts to offer ideas, identify issues, obtain information or deliver services.

Customer Service: Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and respond to requests in a timely and respectful manner.

Physical Nature of the Job: Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move through out the hospital campus.

Pay Range:

$37.00 - $49.80

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled