Lab & Research Technician

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Orthopedic Surgery

Duties & Responsibilities:

Research, Analysis & Reporting

• Reviews and revises standard operating procedures.
• Provides technical support to medical residents, fellows, and other personnel.
• Implements, manages, and provides services for analytical processing of samples obtained by micro-dissection including but not limited to extraction of nerve and muscle tissues.
• Carries out basic and clinical research protocols as described and designed by the laboratory director. These include microsurgery on rats, histological analysis, statistical analysis, neurophysiologic testing. Assists in the design of experiments and interprets results.
• Performs statistical analysis of data using the statistical software such as SPSS, sigma stat, etc.
• Prepares reports, both verbal and written regarding laboratory results.
• Maintains mouse/rate colonies and performs experiments in vivo.
• Performs surgical manipulation of laboratory animals, care and monitoring of animals, euthanasia of animals, data collection, record keeping, and any other tasks associated with the scientific study. Participates in the assessment and collection of clinical research as related to hand, wrist, and extremity reconstructive microsurgery. Communicates with study patients and participants to interview and collect data. Assists microsurgery director in management of specimen handling that provides nerve and muscle samples to principal investigators and sub/co investigators. Supervises maintenance of instruments and validation of new instrumentation.
• Independently troubleshoots instrument, assay, and or/analytical problems to prevent delays in testing. Initiates repairs as needed.
• Communicates with study patients and participants to interview and collect data.
• Performs basic science bench research.

Resident Research Coordinating & Training

• Supports the educational program for training residents and medical students in the methods of microsurgical and electrophysiological testing.
• Support may include contributing to the quality and content of the basic techniques and instructional information of the educational program.
• Trains students, residents, and new employee’s basic science procedures and protocols and in lab safety.
• Oversees resident involvement in microsurgical research projects and microsurgical training exercises.
• Performs group or individual microsurgery instruction to students, residents, and fellows in the Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Offers microsurgery training to residents and partners in other departments who require these skills to strengthen their clinical work. Tests resident/fellows for readiness to participate by evaluating aptitude to do work with animals.
• Confirm health status of resident/fellows. Attends all IACUC and other regulatory authorities’ mandated meetings and seminars.
• Assures completion of competency assessments in a timely manner and maintains records of same.
• Keeps up to date with all safety and regulatory requirements.

Lab Safety & Compliance Coordination

• Functions as the laboratory safety officer.
• Responsible for compliance with all regulatory requirements, and the safe use of hazardous materials in the laboratory, including biological and chemical agents, required by IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee).
• Demonstrates knowledge of all local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding laboratory testing.
• Is familiar with all emergency response procedures (RACER).
• Participates in all VCUHS and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery essential education and safety training and provides appropriate documentation to laboratory director.
• Complies with Department of Orthopedic Surgery dress code and PPE (personal protective equipment) policies.
• Complies with all safety requirements for safe handling of specimens in designated areas.
• Reports all laboratory accidents to director immediately.
• Supervises quality control of specimen and data analysis.
• Identifies quality control trends and shifts. Investigates and resolve problems.
• Ensures corrective actions are appropriate and documented according to SOPs. Ensures compliance to protocols and test validation procedures which may comprise all or part of a basic science research protocol with appropriate regulatory guidelines.

Lab Utilization, Training & Evaluation

• Oversees resident involvement in microsurgical research projects and microsurgical training exercises.
• Completes resident and medical student laboratory evaluations and provides information to the director.
• Provides ideas and initiates discussion with management to improve utilization of lab resources.
• Independently communicates with colleagues in other labs to share information about laboratory techniques equipment and related issues.

Grant/Fiscal Support & Lab Inventory Control (10%)

• Assists in writing grant proposals and IACUC proposals.
• Conducts literature reviews to assist in determining most suitable methods to be used in research.
• Orders and maintains all supplies and equipment necessary to keep lab operational for residents.
• Maintains appropriate records and laboratory documentation.
• Provides ideas and initiates discussions with management to improve utilization of lab resources.
• Makes budgetary recommendations.
• Identifies and implements cost containment measures.

Research Communication & Special Projects

• Communicates effectively with vendors.
• Communicates and coordinates with the director, researchers, and colleagues in other laboratories.
• Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects to support the mission of VCUHS and department.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Experience in a laboratory/research setting.

Previous experience with animal work and tissue processing including slide preparation and staining.

Basic knowledge of statistics.

Microsoft office experience is essential as data analysis and documentation of results are required.

Good written and oral communication skills to prepare and present project reports.

Good organizational skills and attention to detail are essential components of this position as is the ability to work in a collaborative team-oriented environment.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors/Master’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of college and related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors/Master’s degree.

Proficient in basic wet lab techniques.

Hands on animal research experience and knowledge of state and federal regulations.

Basic knowledge of electrophysiological techniques.

Experience in electrophysiological testing, performance and analysis of the data is a plus.

Salary Range:$38,000-$40,000, Commensurate with experience

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Contact Name: Ashley Krauss
Contact Email: ashley.krauss@vcuhealth.org