Department:
SOM KC Cancer Center Administration
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KMCRI Administration
Position Title:
Biospecimen Repository Core Facility, Director of Operations
Job Family Group:
Professional Staff
Job Description Summary:
Job Description:
The Director of Operations (DO) for the Biospecimen Repository Core Facility (BRCF) will manage all day-to-day activities of the BRCF. The DO will oversee the staff within the three pillars of the BRCF, including recruiting and consenting participants, biobanking and histology, and clinical data management. The DO will communicate extensively with all BRCF personnel and users and provide hands on experience to teach and train staff. The DO will plan, direct, and coordinate activities in support of KUCC members and KUMC faculty and their staff regarding the identification of participants, administration of informed consent, collection, banking, and distribution of biospecimen, and clinical annotation to support translational research.
The Biospecimen Core Facility (BRCF), led by Andrew K. Godwin, PhD (Founding Director) and by Rashna Madan, MBBS, FCAP, FASCP (Assistant Director) plays a vital role in the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) and KU Medical Center (KUMC) by its ethical collection, storage, annotation, and distribution of high quality biospecimens, such as fresh/fresh-frozen tumor tissues of varying histology and bodily fluids (e.g., blood, bone marrow, saliva, urine, ascites fluids) which are essential to support translational research and investigator-initiated studies. This cancer center shared resource was recently rated exceptional (highest ranking) as part of the KUCC's recent successful quest for comprehensive designation by the National Cancer Institute. The BRCF also provides expert histopathology support and combines the expertise of pathologists, translational researchers, and technical personnel to produce a comprehensive and focused approach to support the research activities at KUCC. Additionally, tissue biospecimen collection is facilitated by pathology assistants, residents and fellows at the KU Hospital and the Indian Creek Campus (ICC) as part of the University of Kansas Health System's (TUKHS) commitment to the BRCF. The BRCF is fully equipped for biospecimen collection, processing, and distribution, and thus, the BRCF adheres to the OSHA laboratory standards for handling cryogens, ISBER Best Practice for Repositories, NCI Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources and has developed Standard Operating Procedures to govern each of these processes. The collection, processing, and distribution of specimens by the BRCF staff has grown substantially since its inception in 2011. This now includes collections of pediatric specimens from ICC, Children's Mercy (CM) and underserved populations from the satellite biospecimen bank at University Health (formerly Truman Medical Center), a member of the Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) and the largest safety-net provider in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
Required Qualifications:
Education : Bachelor's in biology, chemistry, or related disciplines.
Work Experience : At least 3 years lab management.
Skills : Excellent laboratory activities and in-depth specimen handling knowledge. Previous experience in managing laboratory personnel. Excellent leadership, time management skills and ability to communicate with both staff and faculty. Excellent computer literacy, especially experience with Excel and other database software.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education : PhD or MD/PhD in biology, chemistry, or related disciplines.
Work Experience : Work Experience: Supervision of laboratory staff in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved/College of American Pathology (CAP)-accredited laboratory.
Skills : Previous experience in managing an active biobank including investigator services, biospecimen acquisition, biospecimen processing, storage management, biospecimen distribution, and histopathology. Familiarity with digital imaging.
Job Duties Outlined:
Manage the day-to-day operations of the BRCF. Provide in-depth knowledge of participant recruitment, specimen collection, processing, banking, histology and immunohistochemistry services, and clinical data management and how each part of the process works together.
Prepare the BRCF for accreditation by a national accreditation agency such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Help design new laboratory space to expand and grow the repository.
Actively oversee three operational managers and personnel within the three wet labs (body fluids, tissue, and histology), data management and patient recruitment of the BRCF.
Understand how all three pillars of the BRCF work together to ensure that everyone's needs are aligned to meet the BRCF's mission.
Review, develop and maintain all BRCF Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Work with the Program Development Manager for Research Coordinators to ensure the appropriate patient identification, consent, and specimen integrity from collection through transport to lab are maintained.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of specimens donated to the BRCF from multiple sites, including Westwood, Indian Creek, Truman Medical Center, and TUKHS main campus.
Responsible for quality assurance/ quality improvement activities related to specimen collection, handling, processing, histology, cataloging, retrieval, and delivery/shipping. Initiate corrective action when indicated and assure appropriate personnel have been contacted and the incident documented according to SOPs.
Work with staff to ensure all lab equipment is calibrated, maintained and operable and keep appropriate documentation, including 24/7 temperature monitoring and emergency SOPs to address equipment failure at any time. Supervise the installation and set-up of new equipment.
Work with the Project Manager for Data Coordinators to ensure relevant and accurate biospecimen information is recorded and available in the specimen management system and that precise request specific information is provided to BRCF users.
Monitor the collection and distribution of human biospecimens. Ensure specimen requests are filled in a timely fashion following set prioritization guidelines.
Responsible for oversight of tissue specimen needs (including histology support) required for eligibility on clinical trials.
Serve as a liaison to TUKHS Pathology group regarding tissue procurement and processing to support translational research.
Closely collaborate with laboratory and research staff, pathology, and BRCF staff to facilitate internal and external research collaborations.
Consistently recognize the importance of BRCF users' needs. Take the time to listen to and acknowledge the needs of PIs and their staff members and make every attempt to be available to help address needs for human biospecimens.
Attend and actively participate in meetings with PIs and potential BRCF users in conjunction with the BRCF's Program Development Manager for Research Coordinators and the Project Manager for Data Coordinators.
Work directly with the Clinical Trials Office and institutional PIs during development of clinical trials to ensure all specimen processing needs are accurately established within the protocols and lab manuals and reasonable budgets are approved prior to activation.
Work with the Project Manager for Data Coordinators to establish reasonable and accurate fees for all services provided to internal and external users.
Meet monthly with BRCF leadership to review staff issues and outstanding user requests.
Set up expanded services as required by PIs and BRCF users.
Perform other duties, including but not limited to written reports and participation in internal and external reviews, as may be assigned by their supervisors (Director and Assistant Director, BRCF).
Required Documents:
Cover Letter & Resume/CV
The starting salary for this position will be between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range listed.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package: Health, Dental, Vision (effective day 1), employer paid life, LTD, flexible benefits plan, miscellaneous voluntary plans available, paid vacation and sick (begin accruing upon hire), paid holidays, paid discretionary day, paid bereavement leave, paid jury duty, military leave, paid parental leave and generous retirement contributions.
The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Cancer Center are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment, one that nurtures growth and development for all.
Employee Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$89,000.00 - $143,000.00
Minimum
$89,000.00
Midpoint
$116,000.00
Maximum
$143,000.00
Application Instructions:
To learn more and apply online, please visit https://kumc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/kumc-jobs/job/Kansas-City-Metro-Area/Biospecimen-Repository-Core-Facility--Director-of-Operations_JR004263 or go to https://careers.kumc.edu/ and search for position number JR004263.
Applications must be submitted directly through the KU Medical Center website to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or this website will NOT be reviewed or considered.
About KU Medical Center:
The University of Kansas Medical Centers mission is to educate exceptional health care professionals through a full range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, postdoctoral and continuing education programs in the schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions. KU Medical Center also advances the health sciences through world-class research programs; provides compassionate and state-of-the-art patient care in an academic medical center environment; and works with communities in every Kansas county to improve the health of Kansans. Learn more at www.kumc.edu .
Benefits:
KUMC offers a range of great benefits that support employees and eligible family members. Our health insurance benefits begin on hire date and KUMC offers other exciting benefits such as paid parental leave, generous employer retirement contributions and other resources to improve health and well-being. For more information, please visit https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html
Can you also include the following EEO statement on all of our advertising locations: KU is an EO/AAE. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected Veteran status. http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination
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