Blood and Tissue Manufacturing Technician

Our organization is unique in that we are a nonprofit community resource that saves lives by working with volunteer donors to provide the highest quality blood & tissue components to patients. By using cutting-edge technology, our team of dedicated professionals has helped save hundreds of thousands of lives for more than 35 years. Over 200,000 components of life-saving blood and tissue from volunteers throughout South Texas are collected and tested each year. We are internationally recognized for the quality of our services and research. Donors are essential because patients are in constant need of blood. blood components, and/or tissue. It's about life! Share our excitement and join our team!

South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC), a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, is a not-for-profit community blood center specializing in a variety of services to include providing blood, plasma, platelets and other blood components to numerous hospitals in 43 South Texas counties. STBTC is a community partner focused on enhancing health care through innovation and stewardship.

General Summary
Responsible to perform and assist in coordination of all operational aspects of the blood component and/or cord blood accessioning, sampling, quality control, maintenance, testing, quarantine (blood, blood components, and tissue) procedures and processing areas. Ensures all laboratory procedures and processes are conducted in compliance with prescribed regulations. Maintains all technical activities to include training and the performance of high complexity, routine laboratory procedures. Maintain accurate records and documentation as well as recognize unusual test results and resolve discrepancies. Maintain excellent communication with the department and throughout the organization.

Commit to and abide by the character of BioBridge Global’s Core Values of Accountability, Stewardship, Pioneer, Integrity, Respect and Excellence (ASPIRE). Support, communicate and reinforce the mission and vision of the enterprise.

Provide world class customer service by capturing and being responsive to the voice of the customer (including donors) through established feedback channels in order to resolve issues and drive satisfaction in accordance with the BBG customer engagement, feedback, and complaint processes.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Competently perform all assigned departmental duties to include performing Pre-Analytical tasks [receipt, qualification, and modification of components, tissue, and samples] and testing on blood/tissue products.
Perform complex mathematical calculations, evaluate test results in an accurate and timely manner, and recognize and report unusual test results.
Analyze quality control data and resolve discrepancies that may occur in reporting these tests. Perform STBTC laboratory quarantine procedures (blood, plasma and tissue).
Accurately maintain all record and documentation of quarantine products (blood, plasma, and tissue). Operate required equipment utilizing established protocols and within quality control limits.
Perform calibrations, quality control, and maintenance on equipment used in the performance of duties. Recognize equipment malfunctions and/or technical problems and take appropriate technician level steps to resolve.
Use independent judgment and/or knowledge to resolve complex problems.
Perform product labeling and investigate any issues which prevents labeling.
Perform computer entry of component modifications accurately.

Be knowledgeable and follow established South Texas Blood & Tissue Center laboratory guidelines, policies and procedures for biological and chemical safety.
Perform laboratory testing through performance of high complexity, routine, and special laboratory procedures.
Perform cord blood and/or birth tissue accessioning, testing, processing, and maintain quality control records within compliance.
Perform processing, analytical testing, packaging and labeling of cord blood product, associated cord blood sample(s), PBSC product(s) and PBSC associated sample(s) according to organizational and regulatory (AABB, FACT, FDA, ISO, cGMP, and cGTP) procedures and standards as needed.
Coordinate activities of the laboratory to determine priorities regarding processing of units and testing as needed.
Utilize the data management system to include Excel, Word, and MAC.
Maintain adequate level of disposable supplies through request for purchase of additional supplies, if applicable.
Assist in the preparation of daily activity reports related to processing, resolution of discrepancies, and retention
of products not qualified for release.
Assist with training of new employees as needed and maintain annual training competencies for the testing laboratory.
Perform Stage 1 processing of birth tissue samples.
Recognize unusual results and difficulties encountered in all phases of laboratory performance to include purchased goods, environmental, mechanical and product related.
Assist and develop testing procedures according to organizational and regulatory (NMDP, AABB, FACT, ISO, FDA, and cGMP) standards.
Assist with validation of all procedures performed thus providing for the safety and efficacy of products to include preventative maintenance.
Attend meetings, seminars, and other workshops as required.
Maintain a close working relationship with management keeping them informed on issues pertaining to laboratory functions.
Review all paperwork.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Requires sixty (60) hours or Associate Degree from an accredited technical/vocational institute, college or university. The required major is Clinical laboratory Science or equivalent.
Prefer a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. The preferred major is Applied Science or equivalent.
Licenses and/or Certifications
Certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) preferred

Experience

Requires two or more years of laboratory experience. If Bachelor's Degree is attained, no specific work experience required.

Prefer Clinical Laboratory, equipment validation, quality control, and hematology experience.
Knowledge
Must obtain a working knowledge of regulatory/quality requirements and perform within all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies.
Must have a working knowledge in all aspects of technical procedures of a clinical laboratory.
Must recognize and facilitate resolution of unusual results or difficulties encountered in all phases of laboratory work.
Must have a working knowledge of equipment and procedures for various technologies.

Skills
Must be competent in processing and testing equipment required in a clinical laboratory.
Must have strong manual dexterity and technical abilities in the use of Texas Cord Blood Bank (TCBB) processing and testing equipment.
Must maintain competency in skills required for Apheresis Platelet manufacturing, Component QC, Product Quarantine, and labeling.
Must have the skills to recognize unusual results and troubleshoot testing problems as soon as detected.
Must be prepared to identify root causes of problems and select the best course of action when circumstances require.
Must have strong computer skills.
Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Abilities
Must be a self-starter and self-directed worker.
Must be able to keep information confidential.
Must be able to make good sound judgment decisions.
Must be neat in appearance and well groomed.

South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC), a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, females, veterans, and disabled individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristics. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click here. STBTC maintains a Tobacco & Drug-Free Workplace.