What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tissue Culture Technologist I position at Caris Life Sciences?
Position Summary
The Tissue Culture Technologist (TC Technologist) is responsible for performing the work in the Tissue Culture (TC) department including all clerical and ancillary duties and keeping all equipment ready to run for cell line output. This position works under the direction of the Lab Ops leadership and follows standard laboratory procedures and policies.
Job Responsibilities
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
The Tissue Culture Technologist (TC Technologist) is responsible for performing the work in the Tissue Culture (TC) department including all clerical and ancillary duties and keeping all equipment ready to run for cell line output. This position works under the direction of the Lab Ops leadership and follows standard laboratory procedures and policies.
Job Responsibilities
- Maintains a sterile environment for each cell line cultured within the TC lab.
- Handles, prepares, and sterilizes tissue culture media.
- Propagates, harvests, and cryopreserves cell lines for the IHC lab.
- Preforms the proper fixation, embedding and processing of all cell line pellets.
- Prepares, cleans, sterilizes, maintains, and shuts down laboratory equipment & accessories, glassware, and instruments used in the TC lab, daily and weekly as required.
- Responsible for filing, tracking, retrieval, and accurate record keeping.
- Receives reagents and QC check each new lot appropriately.
- Responsible for performing a mycoplasma test on cells that are being cultured to ensure cells are free of mycoplasma contamination.
- Maintains proper cryopreserved inventory of cell line cultures for future propagations of each line.
- Calibrate and maintain equipment. Report problems to QC Supervisor or Manager. Maintain logs and required documentation, as necessary.
- Supports the Laboratory Operations department with case load as needed.
- Works together with Procurement and Safety to ensure proper Liquid Nitrogen levels are available for cryopreserved cells at all times.
- Routinely checks all cell line blocks and bulk tissue for proper IHC staining, ensuring that all blocks are labeled properly for tracking purposes.
- May be trained on Tissue Micro-Array (TMA) building to aid the Laboratory Operation team with this task along with reviewing and marking of different tissue types.
- Logs appropriate information into a computer system for proper documentation.
- Responsible for documenting all necessary laboratory equipment in Electronic Maintenance System (EMS).
- Assists as needed to perform other related duties and special projects to support the lab as required.
- Accepts other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution.
- Associate degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution with 24 semester hours of science courses that include: 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination AND completion of a clinical laboratory training program (this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above) accredited by ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).
- Experience in a laboratory setting preferred.
- Visual acuity and analytical skill to distinguish fine detail.
- Manual dexterity to use common laboratory equipment and perform sterile techniques as required.
- Must possess ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
- Must possess ability to perform repetitive motion.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- May have exposure to high noise levels in the data center, fumes and bio-hazardous material in the lab environment. Exposure to formaldehyde, xylene, DAB, and alcohol which emit fumes. The formaldehyde, xylene, and DAB are carcinogenic.
- Will work at a computer some of the time as well as needed to keep inventory and ordering records requiring the use of copiers, fax machines, and PDF scanners.
- May be required to handle blood-borne pathogens and general laboratory reagents.
- Must possess ability to use a microscope for extended periods of time.
- May have exposure to extreme temperatures, high noise levels, fumes, and biohazardous material/chemicals including formalin in the lab environment.
- All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.
- This position requires periodic travel and some evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
