Research Assistant 2

17-Apr-2025

Pathology - Yale Pathology Tissue Services / Research

94252BR

University Job Title

Research Assistant 2 MS

Bargaining Unit

L34 - Local 34 (Yale Union Group)

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Wage Ranges

Click here to see our Wage Ranges

Searchable Job Family

Research Res Support, Research/Support

Total # of hours to be worked:

37.5

Work Week

Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)

Work Location

Medical School Campus

Worksite Address

789 Howard Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519

Position Focus:

Under general supervision of the manager, the Research Assistant follows established protocols for multiple clinical trial studies and prepares processed patient tissues for shipment to outside sponsors. Works in conjunction with the Clinical Research Support Laboratory staff, Clinical Trial Assistants, nurses, Dept. of Pathology and outside hospitals/institutions to ensure that samples are properly received and shipped out in a timely manner. Attention to detail is extremely important and flexibility in switching among priorities, as well as multitasking. 

Principal Responsibilities:

Performs histology aspects of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue microtomy, no certification required, and -embedding.

Retrieves and handles histology material, such as slides and blocks, as requested per clinical trial specifications.  Uses an internal system (HAT) and CoPath to log in/out the material being used and tracked.

Using eHisto, retrieves CTTS orders and updates the system with order progress.

Communicates with pathologists to review and select representative tissue blocks that meet clinical trial protocol criteria (involves walking over to pathologist offices or frozen section sites).

Receives and logs in tissue received from outside institutions. Returns the tissue.

Enter pathology alerts if tissue block is needed to meet sponsor tissue requirements.

Uses OnCore to verify and ensure that the patient information is accurate & complete and immediately resolves discrepancies of patient/tissue information.

Uses computer terminal to input and retrieve tissue and/or patient information. De-identifies documents/materials as to ensure patient confidentiality consistent with HIPPA regulations.

Prepares shipments of histology material to outside sponsors per protocol stipulations, including completing sponsor provided requisition forms and/or entering tissue specifics in sponsor portals.

Performs administrative/computer tasks as needed, such as database entry, workflow maintenance and addressing sponsor queries as to ensure prompt processing of the tissue.

Ability and readiness to walk around the institution throughout the day to execute tasks necessary for completion of tissue orders.

Willingness to learn other techniques necessary to the department.

Performs additional functions as necessary.

Two years of related work experience in a similar job family and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Essential Duties

1. Researches and collects data through complex laboratory/scientific experiments, techniques, and procedures; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for research projects. Interprets, synthesizes, and analyzes data using scientific or statistical techniques. 2. Modifies and plans research experiments, procedures, tests, or survey instruments. Assists in research design. Writes and edits material for publication and presentation. Reports on status of research activities. 3. Oversees and instructs research and support staff on technical procedures, equipment operation, and laboratory maintenance. Schedules and coordinates research activities. Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory equipment and apparatus. Modifies equipment according to experimental specifications. 4. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May monitor hazardous work areas and laboratory safety. Prepares related reports. May prepare financial information and monitor budgets. 5. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Required Education and Experience

Two years of related work experience in the same job family and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work with Clinical Research Support Laboratory staff, Clinical Trials Assistants, nurses, Dept. of Pathology staff, and hospitals and the ability to comply with all HIPPA regulations.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Skillful at microtomy with human tissue.  Knowledge of coring/re-embedding human tissue.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Ability to maintain detailed records of study samples on paper and in computerized databases and to track samples and corresponding records and study numbers, as well as all shipments to ensure successful delivery of samples.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Ability to multi-task, maintain confidentiality, manage a broad variety of duties and shifting priorities in a changing environment, and be organized and meticulous with details.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Ability to prioritize work and follow established protocols.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Two years of experience in a clinical laboratory setting. Proven experience shipping biological substances, Category B via eShip-Global.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement:

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus