Job Description

Primary City/State:

Sun City, Arizona

Department Name:

Neuropathology Lab-Rsrch

Work Shift:

Day

Job Category:

Research

Since 1986, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, part of nonprofit Banner Health, has been a leader nationally and internationally in the effort to find answers to disorders of aging including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The institute’s Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research takes laboratory discoveries to clinical trials that foster hope for new treatments. Banner Health is Arizona’s leading health care provider and largest private employer. For more information, visit bannershri.com.

As a Pathology Research Technician, you play a vital role in supporting pathologists and researchers in the study and diagnosis of diseases. Some of your responsibilities include preparing and cutting tissue samples for microscopic examination, applying special stains to highlight cellular structures, and perform various laboratory tests. You'll operate and maintain laboratory equipment like microscopes and analyzers, document test results accurately, and assist in interpreting data for research or diagnostic purposes. Additionally, you will support procedures such as autopsies and surgical specimen collection, all while adhering to strict safety protocols and regulatory standards. To succeed in this role, a background in biology or medical laboratory science is essential, along with attention to detail, teamwork skills, and proficiency in laboratory information systems.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm, on Call Rotation - 1month on then 3months off. Hiring managers will further explain On Call requirements.

Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) was established in 2006 as Banner Health's first Center of Excellence. Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) was founded in 1986. Our team is uniquely, passionately, and strategically committed to ending Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders without losing another generation, advancing oncology research to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes, and providing an unparalleled model of care for families facing these devastating diseases. Banner Research is committed to improving people's lives through comprehensive patient care and advances that capitalize on the best biomedical research. We intend to make a transformational difference in Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, and oncology research and care.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for performing routine to complex autopsy and laboratory diagnostic and research procedures including histological slide preparation; cutting and staining paraffin-embedded and frozen sections. Leads a rapid-response autopsy team.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Performs various laboratory tests in accordance with standard practice. These include histological procedures such as tissue fixation, tissue sectioning on paraffin, cryostat and sliding freezing microtomes and staining sections with classical stains such as hematoxylin and eosin, silver stains such as Gallyas and Campbell-Switzer as well as with immunohistochemical methods. Labeling and filing of slides. Biochemical methods that are part of standard practice may include preparation of fresh and frozen single-cell suspensions, processing of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, western blotting, ELISA, RNA and DNA isolation and Bioanalyzer analysis.
2. Documents laboratory test results verbally, in personal laboratory notebook, in dedicated shared laboratory binders as well as on workflow files on the network computer (Excel spreadsheet).
3. Labware supplies and preparation including buffers, fixatives and stain components; cleaning of labware, including manual cleaning and dishwasher; ordering and maintaining lab supplies and autopsy supplies.
4. Performs duties for on-call brain autopsy program including carrying a cell phone and/or pager when on duty, responding by phone to calls 24/7 within 10 minutes of being called, reporting for duty at morgue within one and a half hours of being called, receiving the body from the transport company according to standard protocols, performing the role of brain team leader or body team leader, dissecting and processing the brain or body according to standard protocols, supervising an assistant during these protocols, and completing all documentation related to the autopsy. Responsible for updating information in the shared database.
5. Performs related work, which may include assisting with animal surgery, analysis of microscopic slides, data analysis, review and summary of scientific literature and drafting of scientific publications. This may involve working solo or with a team.
6. Customers are primarily internal to the organization. Occasionally does come into contact with outside vendors, couriers and professionals who bring specimens to the laboratory or take specimens/human remains from the laboratory/morgue.

Performs all functions according to established policies, procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as applicable professional standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science degree in biology or biosciences.

Incumbent must maintain absolute confidentiality regarding human subject identity and must have ability to communicate sufficiently to perform duties in a manner consistent with departmental scope of services and standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Coursework in gross human and/or vertebrate anatomy. Relevant experience in hospital pathology setting and/or biomedical research.

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement:

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

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