Genetic Research Associate (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Genetic Research Associate is responsible for supporting the Genetics Department with clerical, administrative and ancillary duties. The Genetic Research Associate ensures case workflow is operating efficiently, and testing turn-around times are satisfactory. The Genetic Research Associate, with knowledge in Molecular testing and understanding of the clinical aspects of low and high complexity tests, as offered by Caris Life Sciences, will facilitate providing up-to-date clinically relevant review of Molecular testing. The Genetic Research Associate must have a thorough understanding of the regulations (CLIA, CAP, NYS and ISO 15189 2012) which the laboratory operates under, to effectively perform the required job functions.

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitates quality control of NGS flow cells in accordance with genetics department SOPs.

• Follow established policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

• Review and interpret low complexity molecular test results.

• Contributes to daily, monthly, and quarterly tasks of Genetics Operations team.

• May be involved in research activities.

• Consults with the Laboratory (Medical) Director and other professional on staff, as needed.

• Consistently exhibits a professional demeanor in the workplace and works to maintain positive relationships with peers and management.

• Works independently to interface with outside departments and effectively represent and communicate team needs.

• Is consistently viewed by teammates, supervisors, and management as professional, positive and solution oriented.

• Demonstrates ability to learn internal software programs.

• Performs only those tests that are authorized by the laboratory director and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual’s education, training, or experience.

• Actively engages leadership for instruction and growth and completes annual performance review.

• Follows established policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

• Accepts other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related field.

• 2+ years of experience in molecular methods in a CLIA, NYS, CAP, ISO regulated environment.

• Knowledge of laboratory quality control procedures and regulations.

• Ability to learn internal software programs.

• Requires a high degree of care and attention with strict adherence to defined clinical testing protocols.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, and general working knowledge of Internet for business use.

• Candidates must be able to work on Saturday and Sunday, as both days are part of the position’s five-day work schedule.

• Candidates and successful hire must meet all required qualifications. We must be able to corroborate, substantiate, and/or validate all required qualifications.

• Conditions of Employment: Individuals must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, and reference check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on lab experience running NGS tests including library construction and basic understanding of sequencing metrics.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Consistently exhibits a professional demeanor in the workplace and works to maintain positive relationships with peers and management.

• Proven ability to learn and collaborate with others in a complex, multi-functional and specialty environment.

• Demonstrated skills and high level of attention to detail in technical data.

• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

• Drive for Results (Service, Quality, and Continuous Improvement) – Ensure procedures and processes are in place for delivery of quality results and continually reassess their effectiveness to achieve continuous improvement.

• Communication – Proficient verbal and written communication skills. Willingness to share and receive information and ideas from all levels of the organization to achieve the desired results.

• Teamwork – Commitment to the successful achievement of team and organizational goals through a desire to participate with and help other members of the team.

• Customer Service Focus – Demonstrate a focus on listening to and understanding client/customer needs and then delighting the client/customer by exceeding service and quality expectations.

Physical Demands

• Must possess ability to sit, stand, and/or work at a computer for long periods of time.

• Visual acuity and analytic skill to distinguish fine detail.

• Ability to pass a visual color discrimination test.

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Training

• All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.

• Continuing Education – a minimum of 12 hours must be completed on an annual basis.

Other

• This position requires weekends and/or holidays.

• Job may require after-hours response to emergency issues and/or deadlines.

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.