Mass General Brigham · 1 day ago
Research Technician --- Cancer Center Protocol Office
Somerville, MA
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry, Mid Level
$23.80/hr - $34.81/hr
0+ years expMass General Brigham is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to patient care, research, teaching, and community service. The Research Technician role involves processing and managing biological samples for cancer research, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and quality control, and preparing samples for shipment to external laboratories.
Health CareHome Health CareMedical
Responsibilities
Processes biological samples (i.e., blood, urine, saliva, bone marrow aspirate, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.) for short term storage according to specific written procedures
Properly follows all Universal Precautions and utilizes Engineering Controls, Work Practices, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as listed in the laboratories Exposure Control Plan (ECP) and the MGH Biosafety Manual
Completes required safety training annually and as required
Ensures the accuracy and integrity of all data recorded to serve the mission of the SPL:
Enters all information for all samples submitted to the laboratory in a printed daily log form
Transfer’s data in the hard copy daily log form into an electronic sample receipt log
Performs quality control on the hard copy/electronic sample log as required daily
Transfer processed sample transport tubes into their designated locations in ultralow temperature freezers according to established standard operating procedures and freezer inventory logs
Prepares and safely handles reagents used for processing biological samples for storage and shipment
Properly follows all directives in the laboratory’s Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
Has knowledge of a chemical’s labeling and information found in the material safety data sheet (MSDS)
Performs inventory check of all chemicals, consumables, and other supplies within the laboratory routinely and communicates the ordering needs of the laboratory to appropriate personnel
Transports research samples from clinical patient treatment areas within the hospital to the laboratory for processing
Requires walking to and from other areas of the hospital
Represents the SPL in a positive and professional manner when interacting with both collegial healthcare providers, patients, and the public
Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures
Monitors acceptable performance of SPL equipment
Troubleshoots equipment issues as necessary
Communicates any equipment issues to the appropriate personnel
Assists with packaging samples required to be shipped from the SPL on the same day of collection (ambient, refrigerated, frozen)
Independently operates and works collaboratively with other laboratory personnel to effectively manage the daily activities of the SPL
Monitors the SPL SharePoint Collection schedule and predicts/prepares requirements of scheduled protocol collections
Processes research liquid biopsy collections in a timely and efficient manner
Reviews and responds periodically to emails directed to the general shared email inbox of the SPL in a professional and timely manner
Assists with or performs any other tasks as directed by senior staff in the laboratory
Prepares a daily sample shipment schedule from information obtained from the daily specimen receipt log, SPL SharePoint Collection Schedule, and received laboratory requisitions
Prioritizes the shipment of samples required to be shipped on the day of collection or at other designated frequencies (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.)
Effectively shifts prioritization of shipments based on daily received samples, needs of the department, and inventory of supplies
Works in collaboration with SPL laboratory personnel to expedite the shipping of samples requiring to be immediately shipped (ambient, refrigerated, frozen day of collection samples)
Prepares required documentation
Performs sample preparation
Performs packaging and labeling
Effectively delegates tasks to others in the department
Serves as a resource to delegate
Prepares packages containing processed biological samples according to all standard operating procedures and regulations (i.e., IATA, DOT)
Monitors received requisitions and sample receipt records to identify stored samples that can be shipped
Initiate’s shipments following standard operating procedures, protocol specific procedure files, shipping instruction files, and other documentation resources prepared and provided by the SPL
Assembles all materials required for packages to be shipped: shipping container, airway bill, requisition form, packaging inventory and/or shipping manifest, dry ice, cold packs, etc. as stated in departments internal procedures and reference materials
Notifies the recipient or sponsor contact in advance of an impending shipment as required (typically through email communications)
Maintains accurate electronic and hard copy records of all samples required to be shipped from the SPL freezers
Records entries in the SPL Sample Receipt Log to record the date of shipment/transfer, the number of samples shipped/transferred, and any additional pertinent information
Extract’s shipping instructions for samples from reference documents for each clinical trial and creates a comprehensive Shipping Instruction file for each study
Accurately prepares sample shipping manifests (and other required documents as needed) for shipping samples to recipients
Reviews, updates, and electronically files shipping documentation (such as laboratory requisitions, shipping manifests, processing records, etc.) provided by clinical teams with the submission of samples to SPL and/or prepared by SPL
Monitors sample inventory utilizing documentation and resources in the department (i.e., sample receipt log) to ensure that the proper chain of custody is maintained on all samples through storage, packaging, and shipping
Corrects any sample storage issues immediately
Effectively communicates knowledge of any missing samples to the leadership of the SPL
Communicates in a professional and timely manner with responsible personnel (i.e., CCPO colleagues, sponsor contacts, receiving facilities) for the purposes of:
Securing the necessary shipping supplies/materials
Sending notifications of shipments to stakeholders
Requesting any needed clarification for encountered issues
Assisting with any queries from internal and external stakeholders related to shipping documentation
Performs temperature monitoring, as needed troubleshooting, and required preventative maintenance of the SPL’s Cold Storage Units
Knowledgeable of the department’s Temperature Monitoring of Cold Storage Units standard operating procedure and serves as a resource on the department’s critical alert system call tree
Responds to temperature issues timely and appropriately documenting the steps taken to ensure the integrity of all samples
Escalates temperature monitoring issues to the leadership of the SPL
Contacts service if necessary, according to departments standard operating procedures
If required, reports to campus to assist with the transfer of samples from a non-functional freezer to an operating freezer
Monitors the inventory of the laboratories dry ice supply
Manages orders from primary and secondary suppliers as needed
Transfers dry ice from vendor supplied boxes to central dry ice box supplies (requires lifting boxes up to 50 pounds)
Transports packages to the MGH Mail Room for courier service pick up
Requires walking to and from other areas of the hospital
Requires lifting packages that are light to moderately heavy
Assist with or perform any other tasks as directed by senior SPL staff
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in a physical or biomedical science is required
New graduates with some lab experience (via course work, internships, etc.) or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Research Technician I position outlined above
Those with a minimum of 1 year of directly related work experience will be considered for a Research Technician II position
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits
Career advancement opportunities
Differentials
Premiums and bonuses as applicable
Recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth
Company
Mass General Brigham
Mass General Brigham specializes in providing medical treatments and health diagnostics services.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Mass General Brigham has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (77)
2024 (61)
2023 (93)
2022 (70)
2021 (80)
2020 (29)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
E
Erin Flanigan
SVP, Human Resources, Community, Specialty Hospital Division
O’Neil A. Britton
Chief Integration Officer, Executive Vice President
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