Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.
We have a wonderful new job opportunity for a Ph.D. Scientist to join our team in our Immunogenetics/HLA Laboratory. They will provide broad-based technical expertise, scientific knowledge, leadership, and support for assay development in the Immunogenetics/HLA Laboratory. Coordinate, support, and participate in laboratory activities for studies and projects to establish priorities and timelines. Write and manage development studies and validation protocols. Create SOPs and reference guides for clinical laboratory testing. Advise and train technologists on new assays and equipment, and provide mentoring on protocols, policies, and procedures. Serve as a subject matter expert and perform select clinical laboratory testing. Maintain critical supply lists. Provide backup support for various positions within the HLA laboratory.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES Include, But Are Not Limited ToCoordinate activities associated with implementing new laboratory assays, methods, and/or equipment.

• Plan initial evaluation and development studies.
• Perform bench work testing for initial evaluation and development studies.
• Perform data analysis for evaluation and development studies.
• Troubleshoot assay and/or equipment problems.
• Develop and implement reagent quality control procedures.
• Develop and write validation protocols for assays and equipment.
• Train technologists in executing validation protocols and guide department staff in developing and writing protocols.
• Assure validation documentation is complete before submission to the Quality Assurance department.
• Maintain completed validation documentation.
• Assist with training technologists in new equipment and/or methods.

Coordinate laboratory activities for studies and projects

• Collaborate with external researchers, department management, and technologists.
• Manage data and supplies.
• Prepare lab protocols and procedures.
• Create and maintain study and project schedules.
• Perform project testing.
• Create and maintain databases.
• Develop and produce reports.
• Perform data analysis.
• Present data to management in a clear and comprehensible manner.
• Prepare seminars, presentations, and papers relating to studies and projects.

As Needed, Serve As Back-up For Other Immunogenetics Positions

• Prepare Journal Clubs, seminars, and presentations as requested.
• Technologist bench testing.
• Special projects, research projects.
• Receiving and processing areas of clinical immunogenetics testing.

Additional Responsibilities Include

• Work independently under the guidance of, and in conjunction with HLA directors, technical managers, and supervisors to accomplish goals of the HLA laboratory.
• This position requires clinical laboratory work, the incumbent is expected to sit for the ACHI-Certified Histocompatibility Technologist exam after one year of work experience at the laboratory.
• Stay up to date on knowledge of different assays to improve the HLA laboratory.
• Use high discretion and judgment in designing and carrying out experiments that support laboratory goals.
• Maintain familiarity with policies/processes/procedures/regulations to effectively perform the duties of the position.
• Complete all required testing for Quality Control in an accurate and timely manner.
• Represent HLA in organization-wide projects touching the position’s principal responsibilities.
• Participate in the design of experiments, data gathering, and analysis for development or research studies.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings. Follow-up on information when unable to attend.
• Complete all required testing for Competency Evaluations in an accurate and timely manner.
• Complete all required Read-Only Training on time.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as written.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

RequirementsEducation & Experience:

• Ph.D. in biological or clinical laboratory science, M.D. with relevant board certification or eligibility. International Ph.D. should have been recognized by an official accreditation office.
• Minimum of 3 years of laboratory experience, including doctoral work. Work experience in a clinical laboratory is preferred.
• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Specific Job Skills Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Must be capable of performing independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Must be able to effectively prioritize activities, and to continuously re-prioritize to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying workload; must be able to work effectively under stress and demonstrate initiative.
• Strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to effectively multi-task to meet time expectations.
• Required mental activities involve continuous use of discretion, decision-making, teamwork, interpersonal skills, creativity, problem analysis, training, and the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. Other required mental activities include customer service, supervising, independent judgment and/or action (all used frequently); mentoring, presentations/teaching, the ability to perform basic math (all used occasionally); and the ability to perform basic programming and advanced math (used rarely).
• Required physical activities include continuous handling of items, seeing, and hearing. Other required physical activities include sitting, standing, walking, stooping, talking, handling, reaching, repetitive motions of hands/wrists (all used frequently); grasping, bending, feeling, repetitive motions of feet (all used occasionally); and crawling, climbing, kneeling (used rarely).
• The ability to push up to 30 pounds is required, as is the ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• The ability to lift a 20-pound freezer rack from a liquid nitrogen freezer, using protective gloves, from a height of 3 feet to 6 feet is required.
• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform required data entry.
• Create, modify, maintain, and transmit electronic records in a controlled and approved manner in conformance with regulatory requirements.
• Requires ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to the blood components being prepared for transfusion, or organs being transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing reagents, blood components being prepared, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including FDA’s “Good Manufacturing Practices”.
• Advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook are required.
• Functional level proficiency with basic programming, including Crystal Reports and SQL is preferred.
• Advanced level proficiency with basic statistical math is required.

Working Conditions

• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to meeting various regulatory agency and accrediting body rules and regulations, including The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
• Job conditions to be expected include extensive computer and close work (frequent); heavy lifting and constant standing (occasional); and substantial overtime and evening meetings (rare).
• Ability to work later shifts to facilitate instrument maintenance and repairs.
• The position requires extensive close work and extensive computer work; the ability to remain on task amid multiple audio and visual distractions is required. The incumbent is expected to work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment, and should anticipate intermittent overtime to help meet department goals.
• Bloodworks is a community-supported non-profit organization. As such, (from time to time) the incumbent can expect to work with volunteers.
• Work area utilizes powerful magnets. Pacemakers and other objects that respond to strong magnetic fields may be affected.
• This position has direct exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Benefits And PerksEmployees regularly scheduled for 24 hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. Also, able to participate in retirement plans (401a & 403b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 – 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized back-up childcare program, subsidized transit program, educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*
*Conditions applyBloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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