Biospecimen Coordinator

The University of Southern California (USC) is actively seeking a half-time Clinical Lab Assistant/Biospecimen Coordinator for a new clinical research program, the USC+CHLA Alpha Clinic (AC).  The AC will provide critical infrastructure and support for clinical trials testing new cell and gene therapies for a variety of conditions and diseases. The successful candidate will report to Program Manager for the Alpha Clinic and will be responsible for responsible for coordinating specimen acquisition, processing and distribution for cell and gene therapy trials.

The USC+CHLA Alpha Clinic

USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) are partnering on an exciting new program to promote clinical development of novel cell and gene therapies to treat a variety of human diseases.  The AC has a four-part mission to: (a) advance and support clinical trials and therapeutic development for cell and gene therapies; (b) engage diverse and underserved communities in those trials and the resulting therapies; (c) provide training and education to researchers, staff, patients, and communities; and (d) exchange novel expertise with other AC network sites through lead offerings. 

The AC will support and accelerate pre-award planning and protocol development, IND submissions, clinical trial activation, trial conduct, data analysis, and reporting. We will serve as an important node in the state-wide network of Alpha Clinics supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, sharing expertise and best practices with other leading medical centers conducting cell and gene therapy trials. The AC will also provide training and actively engage the diverse communities of Los Angeles in research to improve their health.  The Program Manager will be the senior staff member on the AC team, reporting to the director and overseeing staff and operations. 

Job Accountabilities

• Receives, accessions and triages medical patient serum and other biological specimens.
• Oversees or maintains files and records of laboratory test results in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Identifies and separates specimens to be referred to outside laboratories or analyzed by laboratory. Maintains records of referred specimens.
• Distributes specimens to lab section racks in freezer, refrigerator and at room temperature.
• Assists with the logging of technical work performed and completed in laboratory as directed. Inputs final or preliminary results into computer.
• Performs venipuncture and skin puncture to procure blood for laboratory testing.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Skills: Administrative:

• Answer telephones
• Assemble and organize numerical data
• Gather data
• Input data
• Read handwritten text
• Understand and apply policies and procedures

Skills: Laboratory:

• Basic Laboratory Safety Techniques
• Blood Borne Pathogen Safety Precautions
• General Laboratory Techniques
• Radiological Safety Techniques

Skills: Machine:

• Computer Network (Department or School)
• Computer Peripheral Equipment
• Personal Computer
• Microsoft Office

This is a 50% FTE part-time position.

The annual base salary range for this position is $18.41 – $20.93/hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations

Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 0 - 6 months Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience as a laboratory assistant in a clinical lab.