The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. Driven by its mission to end cancer as we know it, the institute is building upon its expertise in targeted treatments to advance the early detection of cancer when the disease is most treatable.

 

Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center at the Knight Cancer Institute is composed of biologists, chemists, biomedical engineers, computationalists, and clinicians working on cutting-edge, transdisciplinary research centered on one idea—early cancer detection. Our mission at CEDAR is to detect and stop lethal cancers at the earliest stage because early detection saves lives. This is an ambitious goal, one that requires novelty, creativity, and innovation. At CEDAR, we are changing how cancer research is done. We conduct groundbreaking translational cancer research to help people maintain a high quality of life and reduce cancer mortality, to create a global early detection community, and to have a positive impact on the Oregon economy.

 

CEDAR funds our own research projects, which expedites the process of discovery. We build a more cohesive, successful organization by having outstanding researchers of diverse backgrounds work together on multiple projects. We encourage high-risk, high-reward research projects because defeating cancer requires unproven, out-of-the-box thinking. Our research is milestone driven to ensure that each project is fulfilling its stated goals.

 

 

Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles: 

• We act BOLDLY—Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
• We SUPPORT each other—Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
• We work as a CONNECTED team—We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone

We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Senior Clinical Research Assistant to support CEDAR’s Specimen and Data Repository by aiding in the collection, transport, and storage of biological samples and data. These samples will be a resource for researchers within CEDAR to support the innovation of new early detection technologies. They will work primarily in the OHSU Breast Clinic but will provide support for collections in other clinics at OHSU and the Portland VA Medical Center as staffing gaps demand.

 

This position will lead the method development program within the CEDAR Specimen and Data Repository, which provides blood and samples (e.g., urine samples) to CEDAR researchers to test their laboratory protocols before receiving clinical specimens. They will work closely with researchers to coordinate and fulfill time-sensitive blood and urine collection requests. They will recruit, consent, and collect specimens from employees in the Knight Cancer Research Building. This position is responsible for maintaining documentation of researcher requests and specimen collections.

This position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, familiarity with medical terminology, and an ability to work both independently and as part of a team. If not currently phlebotomy certified, must be able to become certified within first 6 months. Highly motivated candidates with a focus on health care outreach will be competitive for this position.

Position requires someone who is trained in or willing to be trained in phlebotomy.   

Overview: The Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center is a collaborative institution within the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. At CEDAR our mission is to detect and stop lethal cancers at the earliest stage because early detection saves lives. This is an ambitious goal, one that requires novelty, creativity, and innovation. We are comprised of biologists, chemists, biomedical engineers, computationalists, and clinicians conducting groundbreaking translational cancer research to help people maintain a high quality of life and reduce cancer mortality, to create a global early detection community, and to have a positive impact on the Oregon economy.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity: CEDAR is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. We are dedicated to promoting inclusion and multiculturalism by having outstanding researchers of diverse backgrounds work together on multiple projects. We encourage high-risk, high-reward research projects because defeating cancer requires out-of-the-box thinking and new perspectives. Our research is milestone driven to ensure that each project is fulfilling its stated goals.

 

Key Responsibilities:  

Clinical Coordination: Screen clinic schedules to identify and recruit eligible patients for the CEDAR Repository. Coordinate research appointments, consent participants, collect and transport biological specimens (including blood, urine, biopsy tissue, and surgical tissue). Communicate with clinical, laboratory, surgical, and pathology teams. Perform medical chart review and enter progress notes in Epic. Track patients and coordinate longitudinal specimen collections.

 

Method Development Program Coordination: Work closely with researchers to fulfill time-sensitive blood draw and urine collection requests. Recruit, consent, and collect specimens from employees of Knight Cancer Institute. Maintain researcher request and specimen collection documentation.

 

Data Entry: Understand medical/cancer terminology to abstract clinical diagnoses. Enter patient, sample, and diagnosis data into the study database.

 

Compliance: Work with the Clinical Repository Supervisor to adhere to regulations at OHSU for initial and continuing regulatory approval of clinical protocols such as annual re-approval/continuing review, amendment approval, and submission of reportable information.

 

Laboratory Duties: Assist in the processing and storage of human biological specimens as staffing gaps demand or in the case of unusually high sample load.

Education: Participate in continuing education activities within the research program and other areas to maintain current knowledge of disease process, research regulatory requirements, and process improvements for clinical research.

 

Additional Duties & Protected Work Time: Additional duties as assigned by the Clinical Repository Supervisor; Protected work time for non-research related CEDAR work, including time for CEDAR Council, Infrastructure, DEI, Engagement, Professional Development, etc.

Education & experience:

• Bachelors Degree (4 yr) with major courses in field of research and 1 year of relevant experience OR Associate’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience OR 4 years of relevant experience
• Experience conducting different phases of projects, including data collection and 1+ years of clinical research experience
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Access, and other networking and database systems
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
• Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills:  both written and verbal
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent customer service, both on the phone and in person
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
• Proficient with computer software such a MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
• Keen attention to detail

• Phlebotomy certification

Apply online. Please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.

 

We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at no or low cost to employees
  • Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• Several retirement plans to choose from with contributions from OHSU
• 25 days a year of paid time off
• 8 days of sick time off
• Commuter subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
• Annual Merit Increase
• Growth/Development Opportunities
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses

 

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Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.