Technical Specialist

Texas Children’s Hospital has an opening for a Technical Specialist position in Houston, TX.  Duties Include: 

Duties Include: 

 

1. Perform specimen testing, quality control, instrument maintenance,  troubleshooting of the specimen testing processes if required, and document the workflow performed in the lab.
2. Validate specimen identification appropriateness of sample type and volume, size, and processes according to specimen handling protocols defined in standard operating procedures of the Allergy and Immunology diagnostic laboratory.
3. Organize workload, prioritize patient sample processing, and analyze results so that the patient results are released according to the lab’s set turnaround times.
4. Manage workload to accommodate special requests to process research clinical samples as needed to accommodate patients' needs. 
5. Report all diagnostic alerts as soon as possible to the appropriate ordering providers according to laboratory policy.
6. Manage assigned patient care duties and projects in collaboration with medical staff and other personnel as directed by the Medical Director; Assist with the development of processes/written procedures required for the implementation of new or modified testing and quality program essentials.
7. Assist with performing statistical analyses on data and writing reports for patients, reagent parallel testing, and alternative assessment.
8. Perform or assist with the performance and documentation of quality control procedures and monitor and submit timely reports to the supervisor and/or assistant director; maintain validity of processes/results.
9. Process alternative assessment project samples,  accurately and tabulate the data; investigate problems or unacceptable results and perform necessary follow-up steps. 
10. Perform new reagent lot parallel testing and compare with the in-use lot reagents.
11. Maintain appropriate inventory levels, and monitor reagent crossover checks and expiration dates.
12. Perform scheduled maintenance on equipment in the lab and maintain the records-.
13. Perform the calibration of instrumentation. Assists with the periodic review of maintenance and calibration records.
14. Troubleshoot instrument problems and contacts service companies by collaborating with the lab supervisor and the medical director as needed.
15. Monitor the performance and documentation of thermometer calibrations, centrifuge and balance checks and maintenance, refrigerator, and freezer temperature checks, pipette calibration, and eyewash and electrical checks as required by regulatory agencies.
16. Assist with the evaluation of new equipment.
17.  Participate in the teaching of other personnel; participate in continuing education. Act as lead trainer in the NK-cell cytotoxicity testing area, assisting the lab supervisor, and the lab manager in creating and producing training materials and assessment tools; participate in annual competency testing and ensure that new employee staff is also assessed by working with the lab supervisor, the lab manager, and the lab medical director.
18. Take inventory and order supplies; monitor expiration dates.
19. Assist/validate new procedures, interface applications, and system upgrades.
20. Monitor safety practices and compliance in the work area.
21. Assist with regulatory (CAP) compliance and inspections.

 

Requirements: Employer will accept a minimum of bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in clinical laboratory science, chemical, physical, biological science, or closely related field and 36 months of experience in a laboratory setting. Alternatively, a master’s degree or foreign equivalent in the stated fields and 12 months of experience in the above stated area. Qualifying experience may be acquired during academic studies. Any suitable combination of education, training or experience is acceptable.

 

Experience should include:

 

1. Experience with handling blood samples, sterile and aseptic techniques, and reagents preparation (reagent concentration calculations and dilutions) 
2. Experience with using microtiter plates, pipettors, and biosafety cabinets. 
3. Experience working in a team environment. 
4. Knowledge of lab safety, laboratory Information Systems, medical chart systems, quality controls, assay validations, and College of American Pathologists (CAP) rules.
5. Knowledge about immunology, NK cell biology, and immune phenotyping by flow cytometry methodology 
6. Knowledge about peripheral mononuclear and innate immune cells 
7. Knowledge about functional tests of all immune cells including PBMC, NK cells, and Neutrophils. 
8. Knowledge about or experience with live cell maintenance, live cell-counting, and quality control measures for cell cultures or cell lines.