Senior Research Data Coordinator - Immunology (Patient Consent)

The Immunology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center seeks to determine the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of a wide range of processes by which the body recognizes and eliminates pathogens and use these findings to unleash the patient's own immune system against previously treatment-resistant cancers. Treating the immune system rather than the cancer itself, the therapeutics developed are applicable to many cancers.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Data coordination related to the Immunotherapy Platform's (IMT) umbrella protocol, PA13-0291

• Successfully manages assigned PA13-0291 associated protocols and projects by tracking patient status, overseeing and maintaining accurate documentation, reviewing medical records to extract data points, and preparing reports as required per project agreement and/or research plan.
• Answer and screen office phone calls effectively and professionally
• Collaborate with study staff to resolve data queries and missing documentation
• Assists in the quality assurance process by ensuring compliant consents, sample collections, data entry, and other required processes
• Completes and oversees data entry regarding sample collection within department database (Limfinity) or tracking forms.
• Coordinates source document and report sharing with designated personnel from collaborating departments
• Routinely collaborates with the IMT Information System team to enhance Limfinity database and resolve any issues that may arise

Procurement of Prospective and Retrospective biospecimen

• Carries out activities related to PA13-0291, to include coordinating the sample collections from research subjects in accordance with all applicable regulations governing the conduct of research studies
• Remains knowledgeable of all policies and procedures that are essential to the collection, storage, and/or shipping of research samples.
• Demonstrates precision in interpreting orders and obtaining appropriate clinical research samples, precision in sample identification and labeling, and accuracy in documentation
• Periodically picks up samples from institutional labs and routes or transports to appropriate destination in a suitable condition
• De-identifies and packages prospective biospecimen, coordinates transfer to IMT labs via Limfinity application, and documents chain of custody
• Interacts with staff within collaborating departments, to include Institutional Tissue Bank and Research Histology Core Lab, to ensure collection of research samples (i.e. blood, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, and/or tissue) as appropriate
• Procures samples retrospectively as needed or as requested by IMT scientists or investigators and distributes to IMT research groups, collaborators, or approved vendors for research testing
• Research and request samples internally or from outside centers departments using applications such as EPIC, BIMS, CORe, iLab, Prometheus/LIMS.
• Maintains an electronic file system to document the progress and status of each request. Locates, files, and/or retrieves the required documents for tissue requests
• Monitors sample collection goals and participates in the modification of sample procurement strategies, as necessary

Maintains a level of professional expertise through educational programs:

• Participates in start-up meetings and trainings that cover procedures and forms for the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of clinical research specimens.
• Attends appropriate departmental meetings and institutional continuing education programs.
• Maintains working knowledge of current Laboratory Policies and Procedures, Code of Federal Regulation, and Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

Education

Required: High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Required: Four years of related experience. With preferred degree, no experience required.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html