Job Description

Independently manages biospecimen operations for complex, high-acuity, early-phase, or specialized clinical trials and serves as an advanced technical resource. Resolves complex specimen and logistics issues, provides quality review, mentors less-experienced staff, and contributes to laboratory readiness, standardization, and process improvement.

Typical schedule: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm with occasional shifts extending to 10:00 pm based on operational needs. Flexibility to work evening hours is required.

• Prepares and processes human specimens as specified by protocol for clinical trials and sponsor stipulations.
• Ensures consistent integrity and accuracy in specimen handling and processing.
• Processes and ships central laboratory specimens and maintains documentation.
• Records specimen information and data in requisition and tracking system.
• Prepares, receives, labels, documents, and stores all laboratory supplies received for clinical trials.
• Reconciles flow sheets with incoming specimens verifying accuracy of information.
• Flies copies of requisition and special study sheets.
• Prepares, receives, labels, documents, and ships specimens for transport to appropriate laboratories in a timely basis.
• Processes and ships fresh and archival biopsy samples as directed by the protocol or lab manual.
• Delivers archival blocks and slides for preparation as necessary.
• Responds to pharmacokinetic questions/issues arising from research nurses, CRA, and pharmaceutical companies in a timely manner.
• Will be required to taring lower level staff on continued responsibilities.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
• Ability to interact respectfully with other employees, professional staff and/or external contacts to offer ideas, identify issues, obtain information or deliver services.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information.
• Ability to work on projects or work groups, creating a collaborative and respectful team environment and improving workflows.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of clinical trial biospecimen collection, processing, storage, stability, packaging, shipping, chain of custody, and documentation requirements.
• Ability to interpret complex protocols, laboratory manuals, schedules of events, and sponsor instructions and translate them into clear processing workflows.
• Ability to independently manage complex pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, biomarker, tissue, and other time-sensitive specimen requirements.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills involving collection timing, processing deviations, equipment, temperature, specimen integrity, couriers, and sponsor laboratories.
• Ability to assess operational and compliance risk, determine appropriate escalation, and coordinate corrective or preventive actions.
• Advanced organizational and prioritization skills for high-volume or high-acuity workloads with overlapping processing windows.
• Ability to perform quality reviews, identify trends, and recommend sustainable process improvements.
• Ability to train, mentor, and provide functional guidance to less-experienced staff without formal supervisory authority.
• Advanced proficiency with laboratory equipment, specimen-tracking, shipping, clinical research, inventory, and reporting systems

EDUCATION:

An associate’s degree in a related field is required.

EXPERIENCE:

Five (5) years of progressively responsible laboratory, biospecimen, clinical research, healthcare, or related experience is required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

None.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture.

Benefits Overview

UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.

Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.

Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.

Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.

Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.

FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.

Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:

• Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
• Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
• Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.

Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.

EEO Statement

UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.