Clinical Immunogenetics Laboratory Technical Specialist

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle seeks a Clinical Histocompatibility Technologist with extensive histocompatibility experience and ACHI certification to oversee high-complexity testing and regulatory compliance.

The role involves vendor management, procedural development, QA/QI oversight, and leadership in projects and equipment deployments within the Clinical Immunogenetics Laboratory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a lab science as specified.
• Minimum 8 years of histocompatibility lab experience with supervisor qualifications.
• CHT (ACHI) certification required; ongoing CE.

Responsibilities

• Performs the primary responsibilities of Clinical Histocompatibility Technologist I-III.
• Resource for tracking, ordering, maintenance, installation and contracts for vendors and reagents.
• Troubleshoot complex issues with lab staff, technical lead and vendors.
• Review, revise and develop procedures per ASHI and CLIA Standards.
• Oversee QA/QI activities and regulatory compliance in the lab.
• Collaborate with Lab Leadership to ensure safety and accreditation compliance.
• Lead evaluation of new instruments or systems and oversee installations.
• Lead or assist in projects, validation and software/equipment deployments.

Skills

Color vision

High complexity testing

Laboratory supervision

HLA theory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology

CLIA/ASHI education requirements for high complexity supervisor

Job description

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Clinical Immunogenetics Laboratory provides histocompatibility and chimerism lab testing for patients (and their prospective donors) being evaluated for a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and monitored for engraftment after transplantation. The Clinical Histocompatibility Technical Specialist works closely with lab leadership to ensure complex troubleshooting and initiatives are completed in a timely manner with appropriate regulatory compliance. The role will provide research and training on new equipment/systems, participate in complex projects, provide technical expertise and support laboratory operations.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

Responsibilities

• Performs all the primary responsibilities of a Clinical Histocompatibility Technologist I, II & III.


• Primary resource for tracking, ordering, maintenance, installation and contracts for vendors, reagents, supplies and equipment.


• Resource for complicated technical issues requiring coordination between lab staff, technical lead and vendors.


• Review, revise and develop procedures in compliance with ASHI and CLIA Standards.


• Responsible for QA/QI activities such as routine oversight of assay quality monitoring, coordinating proficiency surveys, and retrospective data analysis for laboratory improvement.


• Work with Laboratory Leadership to ensure lab safety, regulatory and accreditation compliance.


• Lead the evaluation of possible new instruments, test methods or systems.


• Lead, assist or Subject Matter Expert in projects, validation and installation of new equipment, reagents, technologies and software.

As assigned:

• Perform review and report test results.


• Review patient workups prior to transplant.


• Train and assess competency.


• Provide education and training to visiting residents and fellows.


• Participate in educational activities and clinical case reviews for presentation and/or publication. (i.e., posters, abstracts)


• Represent CIL in inter-departmental meetings.


• Assist laboratory leadership with operational initiatives.


• Perform other assigned operational or director-delegated responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution or a Bachelor's degree and equivalent education and training as defined in 42CFR493.1489(b)(3)(ii). Must meet the CLIA and ASHI education requirements for a high complexity general supervisor


• Minimum of 8 years of histocompatibility lab experience which must include at least three years of laboratory training or experience in human immunogenetics, human histocompatibility and/or human transplantation immunology testing under the supervision of a director and/or technical supervisor of an ASHI-accredited or an equivalent ARB approved laboratory. Must meet the CLIA and ASHI training and experience requirements for a high complexity general supervisor. Proof of laboratory training or experience must be furnished as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days after the date of hire and must be generated by an individual other than the person attempting to meet CLIA personnel qualification requirements.


• Required Clinical Histocompatibility Technologist, CHT (ACHI) with certified maintenance of continuing education through ACHI.


• Same as Clinical Histocompatibility Technologist III


• Advanced knowledge of HLA theory, ASHI standards, testing methods, and allele frequencies.


• In-depth experience with sample processing, high-complexity testing/ interpretation, and scientific design in the areas of complement-dependent and flow cytometric crossmatching, antibody screening and identification methods, HLA Typing methods (SSOP, NGS, RT-PCR) or chimerism testing (STR).


• Must be able to differentiate between colors and pass a standardized color vision screen to perform this role

Preferred:

• Clinical Histocompatibility Specialist, CHS (ACHI)


• ASHI Inspector training/ ASHI Inspector


• Technical writing skills

The hourly pay range for this position is from $47.03 to $70.52 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).