Laboratory Assistant (Clinical Research Center)

Beth Israel Lahey Health - Boston, MA

Full-time

Boston, MA

Hospitals

About the position

The Laboratory Assistant will support clinical research by assisting in the collection, processing, cataloging, and storage of specimens according to established protocols. This role involves maintaining laboratory equipment, managing inventory, and ensuring quality control of laboratory supplies, while also adhering to safety and compliance regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provides general support for laboratory procedures related to clinical research protocols including sorting, labeling, storing and/or shipment of multiple specimens.
• Guides set up and maintains study specific research specimen databases such as Freezerworks.
• Assists study personnel and CRC staff in compiling study specific paperwork, label preparation for specimen collection, and sample coding for FREEZERWORKS storage including retrieval of bio specimens from long-term cold storage.
• Acts as a resource for study teams regarding complex specimen and assay processing.
• Attends CRC study start-up meetings to become familiar with protocols, protocol-specific specimen processing procedures and maintains/updates CRC Processing Manual.
• Assists study staff and/or performs point of care testing.
• Processes and prepares specimens and requisitions for samples going to both the clinic laboratory and outside reference laboratories (Quest, central lab).
• Performs quality control measures on CRC equipment and storage units.
• Coordinates the ordering and maintains the inventory of laboratory and patient care supplies and stocks accordingly.
• Oversees the general maintenance of equipment and processing areas.
• Assures appropriate supply and storage of laboratory items, rotates stock supplies in the laboratory to ensure that all supplies and materials are used before their expiration dates.
• Successfully completes appropriate clinical competencies in order to assist CRC nursing staff.
• Works with study teams and participates in the coordination of specific studies.
• Ensures appropriate regulatory compliance and documentation of specific studies.
• Recruits potential study participants and contacts study participants to schedule visits and enhance retention.
• Follows OSHA, NIH, COMS, and MaRCP regulations with regard to handling of specimens and laboratory duties.
• Functions and participates as a member of the Clinical Research Center team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent relevant experience; BS preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of experience with routine clinical and laboratory processing procedures preferred. Biomedical research environment preferred.
• Computer literacy including knowledge of Microsoft Office applications required.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Self-starter.