Overview
The Nutrition Evaluation Laboratory (NEL) for the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is a state and federal licensed clinical laboratory with a comprehensive research analytical service program in nutritional biochemistry. The NEL provides clinical and specialized biochemical analyses that support human and animal HNRCA based research studies, off-site epidemiological and field studies, and non-HNRCA based research studies. It has been a centralized core laboratory for the HNRCA since the Center’s emergence in 1983. Research protocols supported by the NEL allow HNRCA investigators to perform human studies which complement their basic laboratory studies or conduct large studies which would otherwise not be feasible within their own research programs.
What You'll Do
Under the close direction of the NEL Supervisors and Laboratory Staff, the Specimen Processing Technician will handle the day to day activity in the Specimen Processing Unit within the NEL. This requires handling processing and organizing biological specimens generated on HNRCA in-house, field, multi-site and collaboration Research Studies that require NEL support. Major responsibilities include:
- preparing specimen collection vessels, receiving specimens, performing proper specimen registration and accessioning;
- logging subject demographic and test requests into the Laboratory Information System;
- processing blood and urine specimens (i.e., centrifuging, aliquoting, adding preservatives and storing samples);
- maintaining the NEL’s specimen tracking and archiving system and retrieving stored specimens.
The Specimen Processing Technician position is also responsible for acting as the liaison between the NEL and HNRCA Metabolic Research Unit (MRU) in respect to verifying test requisitions and specimens labels for accurate information and following up on all specimens with incomplete information or questionable test orders.
Work hours / shifts may vary to accommodate the needs of on-going research study protocol demands. Typical work week will be 35 hours per week – 5 days between Monday - Saturday and between 7:00am-5:00pm.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:
- Associate degree in Laboratory Sciences, Health Sciences or Medical Technology with a basic understanding of general laboratory bench skills and basic knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office. Individual must be extremely organized, detailed and meticulous oriented individual.
- Effective communicational and organization skills and good judgment are essential.
- Must possess strong interpersonal skills, be a team player and be a promoter of working relationships which produce positive and effective results.
- Ability to handle multi-tasking and frequent deadlines in a fast paced and technical environment is also very important.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using pipettes, centrifuges, refrigerators, balances, aliquoting apparatus, pH meter, vortexes, and ice blocks.
- Strong computer aptitude and experience using Microsoft Office, word processing, spreadsheet, statistical and graphic software packages is also preferred.
- Familiarity of Laboratory Information Systems in general would be helpful.
Pay Range
Minimum $18.35, Midpoint $21.43, Maximum $24.50
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
