Research Technician - Neurosurgery -Rostomily

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Research Technician position will be responsible for:

Supporting Senior Researchers in experiments and analysis including:

• Assist in routine laboratory procedures under supervision, including human/mouse cell culture, molecular biology techniques (PCR, Western blot, qPCR), immunohistochemistry. Maintain laboratory stocks, prepare reagents, and support general lab maintenance.
• Perform basic data entry and maintain accurate lab notebooks. Assist in animal handling, surgical procedures, animal treatment, monitoring animal health and animal necropsy.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety regulations. Perform aseptic work in tissue culture, media preparation, and reagent handling.
• Perform independent experiments using molecular and cellular biology techniques, including viral gene transfer, gene expression analysis, multiparametric flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy.
• Maintain and manipulate cell cultures, including patient-derived tumor cells and stem-like cells.
• Conduct animal studies, including xenograft tumor models and drug treatment protocols, isolation of immune cells.
• Troubleshoot experimental procedures and optimize protocols as needed. Analyze and interpret experimental data, preparing summary reports and presentations.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and grant applications. Demonstrate proficiency in aseptic work for cell culture, sample handling, and sterile experimental procedures.
• Design and execute complex experiments with minimal supervision.
• Lead specific research sub-projects and collaborate with principal investigators on study design.
• Develop and validate new methodologies and optimize experimental workflows. Supervise and mentor junior staff and students.
• Prepare figures and contribute significantly to manuscript writing, conference presentations, and funding proposals.
• Coordinate collaborations with other research teams and clinical investigators.
• Ensure rigorous aseptic work practices in all lab operations.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with brain tumor models, electrophysiology or neuroscience-related research.
• Strong communication skills and ability to contribute to scientific discussions.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results.

• Participates in planning meetings with Research Nurses.

• Role models excellent, clear and professional communication skills to achieve mutual understanding and problem resolution. Demonstrates a positive work environment and contributes to a team-focused work environment that actively helps one another achieve department goals. Collaborates with all members of the research team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned system(s) in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs aggregometry and sample processing with quality control, logging, monitoring and cataloging data.

• Coordinates storing, packaging, shipping and tracking study samples to core labs across North America.

• Assumes call for Cardiology Research as necessary.

• Assists with implementation and education of department-based safety initiatives and standards of practice.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains logs of shipments including air bills, telephone logs, core lab correspondence analyzing, reviewing and summarizing research protocols.

• Takes inventory and maintains lab supply and equipment, ensuring equipment certification and annual maintenance agreements, as well as locating and obtaining urgently needed items and equipment.

• Maintains OSHA's standards and regulations, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) laboratory safety and biohazard precautions.

• Cleans and decontaminates work area and instruments at least once per shift.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritizes daily tasks, providing leadership to team members on effective and efficient utilization of time.

• Assists department management in product evaluations and utilization of existing products.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Associates degree or two additional years of relative laboratory experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) required in lieu of degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of laboratory experience

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion to recognize problems, identify causes and take corrective action

• Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, energetic, and able to prioritize multiple projects

• Ability to complete work within designated time frames

• Ability to offer suggestions and implement change to enhance efficiency and organization of office operations

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.