Employment Type : Full-Time
$3K Sign-on Bonus! Pathology Tissue Typing Technician
GENERAL SUMMARY / OVERVIEW STATEMENTUnder general supervision, performs complex clinical laboratory tests in histocompatibility for the purpose of selecting appropriate recipients for deceased and living-related organ transplantation and human stem cell transplant, monitoring recipients post-transplant, and diagnosing HLA-associated diseases. Job requires a professional level of knowledge, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret tests independently, and communicate results clearly. The following duties are characteristic of this classification. Overtime may be required as determined by workload. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESResponsibilities as outlined by CLIA:Testing personnel are responsible for specimen processing, test performance and for reporting test results.
Exception: For individuals qualified under §493.1489(b)(5), who were performing high complexity testing on or before January 19, 1993, the requirements of paragraph (b)(7) of this section are not effective, provided that all high complexity testing performed by the individual in the absence of a general supervisor is reviewed within 24 hours by a general supervisor qualified under §493.1461
Additional responsibilities under the direction of the Technical Director and Clinical Supervisor:
i. Performs deceased donor immunologic work-ups for all organs, within the time required by current organ preservation methods. Independently verifies results and reports conclusions directly to New England Organ Bank. Job requires on-call assignments on a regular basis; most deceased donor organ distribution and crossmatching occurs between 5pm and 8am or on weekends. ii. Extracts DNA from peripheral blood or solid tissue (e.g., lymph node, spleen), performs DNA amplification, and determines HLA antigens by current methods. iii. Isolates and separates lymphocytes from peripheral blood or solid tissue (eg., lymph node, spleen) into two major subpopulations (B and T lymphocytes) and performs crossmatches between recipients and deceased donors identified within the New England Organ Bank region, Life Choice Donor Services region, and by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Responsible for determination of extent of crossmatching and selection of appropriate sera, within laboratory guidelines. iv. Screens approximately 1000 potential recipients monthly for anti-HLA antibody determination, against a panel of soluble HLA on microbeads and/or a 50 member frozen cell panel. Performs urgent screens using frozen cell trays, as requested, for medical emergency patients and potential cardiac recipients. v. Follows UNOS rules for mandatory national organ sharing.
b. Living Donor Transplantation (donation of kidney from related or unrelated individual): i. Isolates and separates lymphocytes from peripheral blood into two major subpopulations (B and T lymphocytes) for determination of HLA antigens via complement dependent cytotoxicity and/or extracts DNA from blood for HLA typing via molecular methodology. ii. Performs crossmatches between recipients and potential living donors using T lymphocytes and/or B lymphocytes. c. Bone Marrow Transplantation (bone marrow donation from related or unrelated individual) i. Extracts DNA from cells or whole blood ii. DNA amplification using designated programs in thermal cycler iii. Performs tests on SSO beads and/or SSP kits and/or real time kits iv. Prepares agarose gels and load DNA into lanes v. Interprets results based on probe and/or band patterns.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED1. Must have high level of analytical ability to resolve technical problems stemming from faulty equipment, reagents, or abnormal patient cells or sera, and to interpret quality control data. 2. Job requires the ability to work independently, within laboratory guidelines, particularly in distribution of cadaver organs to potential recipients. 3. Must possess ability to think clearly under stress and exercise correct judgment in performance and reporting of tests; failure to do so could result in hyperacute rejection and possibly patient death. 4a. Work requires ability to withstand stress and to complete work under pressure. Job requires that technician on-call work up to 24 hours to match organs with potential recipients. Must possess interpersonal skills sufficient to deal at length with surgeons, nephrologists, and other pertinent staff during this period. 4b. Work requires the ability to work with internal and external staff. Must maintain a level of professionalism at all times. 5. Must possess visual acuity sufficient to distinguish between variations in stained cells, including ability to distinguish clearly between green and red; must possess manual dexterity to work with small instruments and delicate equipment and tissues. 6. Work requires visual fatigue (up to 50% of work time) due to extensive examination of stained cells to determine antigen presence/absence or antibody presence/absence. 7. Works under time constraints and with the awareness that errors could be fatal to the patient. 8. Meets acceptable performance and productivity levels. 9. Work requires frequent standing and walking (about 75% of work time) and some lifting of supplies (less than 100 pounds).
WORKING CONDITIONS: Describe the conditions in which the work is performed. Works in large, pleasant laboratory with approximately 30 technologists, administrative personnel, and directors. Technologists work with biological materials (human blood products and tissue) and chemicals such as ethidium bromide. May be required to work for extended periods of time without rest under pressure.
QUALIFICATIONS1. Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science from an accredited college or university. (There are no organized academic programs which adequately train individuals for work in this field; a broad scholastic background in biology, chemistry, and immunology is preferred.) 2. Must have satisfactorily completed in-house laboratory training/orientation program, including on-call duties. Training requires between nine and twelve months, on average, to acquire the necessary familiarity with laboratory policies, as well as theoretical and practical knowledge of procedures and tests. There are currently no licensure requirements in histocompatibility. EEO StatementBrigham and Women’s Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, military service, or other protected status. Primary Location MA-Boston-BWH Boston Main Campus Work Locations BWH Boston Main Campus 75 Francis St Boston 02115 Job Laboratory Assistant/Technician Organization Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH) Schedule Full-time Standard Hours 40 Shift Day Job Posted Shift Description 40 hours day shift M-F with rotating off hours on call coverage Employee Status Regular Recruiting Department BWH Clinical Labs Job Posting Jan 29, 2021