Research Assistant

Overview

Working under the direction of the Laboratory Supervisor, the Research Assistant 1 will assist the Clinical Research Support Laboratory (CRSL) by providing operational support across the following key areas: preparing for research collections by organizing, labeling, and setting up collection supplies including accessing and pulling data, and performing basic laboratory workflows, including handling specimens that do not need processing and triaging low-medium complexity samples, transporting lab supplies and biological specimens throughout the Yale Medical School and Smilow Cancer Hospital in a timely manner, assisting with the inventorying of supplies including using a computer-based system and shelving supplies.

These biological samples are time-sensitive and require prompt preparation, pick up, and delivery, as well as interacting with clinical staff to ascertain information, such as time of collection. This entails traversing a wide range of buildings and locations on foot, often with a cart and large boxes.

Additionally, the Research Assistant 1 will collaborate with the Clinical Operations teams within the Yale Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office (CTO) to ensure appropriate research lab support of scheduled research participants.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to extract and compile data from written sources, and ability to interpret written policies and procedures. Ability to clearly and accurately convey information.
2. Very good interpersonal skills and communication skills. Must be able to display sensitivity to the patients as well as the clinical team staff and their work environment when retrieving samples.
3. Excellent attention to detail, attendance, and punctuality are critical to this position. Ability to quickly shift priorities as needed and instructed to by staff.
4. Strong computer skills with the ability to quickly learn new systems. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software. Ability to perform barcoding based on defined standards.
5. Familiarity with medical laboratory terminology, and experience working in a laboratory setting.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 30 lbs. Ability to travel on foot to locations within the Cancer Center and medical school campus within roughly a mile radius of the office. Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

Familiarity with HIPAA regulations and experience ensuring strict patient confidentiality. Previous inventory, transport, or specimen processing experience.

Occasional Evening and Weekend Hours Required

Principal Responsibilities

1. Researches and collects data through site or home visit intakes; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for designated research assignments.
2. Records and compiles information related to research data. Codes data accordingly to research specifications. Uses a computer terminal to input and retrieve data and to generate reports.
3. Processes and summarizes data using scientific or statistical techniques. Assists in data interpretation and analyses. Reports on status of research activities.
4. Recruits study participants and ensures that subject recruitment and follow-up are completed per protocol procedures.
5. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May assist in designing, developing, and modifying research experiments, procedures, or survey instruments. May assist research and support staff.
6. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.