Full time, North Sydney

Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) pioneers advances in melanoma research and treatment that are making a difference to the lives of patients today. We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing and curing melanoma through innovative, world-class research, treatment and education programs. MIA is a national affiliated network of melanoma researchers and clinicians based in Sydney at the Poche Centre – the world’s largest melanoma research and treatment facility. It’s from here that our specialists pioneer new research, conduct clinical trials, develop new treatments and promote awareness of melanoma and where our clinics treat 2,000 melanoma patients each year. Further Information about Melanoma Institute Australia can be found at www.melanoma.org.au

The Biospecimen Bank at MIA currently seeks a highly motivated Clinical Biospecimen Coordinator. This role is based at the Poche Centre in Wollstonecraft and reports to the Biobank Laboratory Manager. The Clinical Biospecimen Coordinator is integral to the success of our blood-based translational research projects.

You will work closely with the clinical care team and biobank staff to provide a biomarker blood collection and processing service for our research studies. You will coordinate the identification of patient cohorts, determine dates for blood collection and collate patient information in a database. You will provide ongoing updates to the lead investigators and be actively involved in sample identification, collection and processing.

To succeed in this role, you must have a warm and friendly manner and have strong venepuncture skills. You will combine your previous project coordination or clinical experience with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines. Your work will include entering data into databases, maintaining tracking documentation and managing blood collection consumables.

Major Responsibilities

  • Work with the Biobank Laboratory Manager and wider Biobank team to coordinate day-to-day operations of biobank activities and deliver high-quality services.
  • Track patient visits and perform venepuncture on prospective patients for all blood-based translational research projects at the Institute.
  • Process blood samples whilst adhering to strict protocols and quality assurance measures (including aliquoting and snap freezing of blood fractions and preparation of PBMCs).
  • Maintain laboratory records to a high standard and ensure that biospecimen annotations and inventory are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Ability to work during clinic operation hours (8am-5pm) with some flexibility.
  • Perform administrative duties within the biobank including: data entry, housekeeping duties, receive orders and deliveries and manage stock control.

This position will offer you a dynamic work environment, broad clinical exposure and a high paced workload. This is an outstanding opportunity to further your career and develop your skills in a globally recognised institution. You will enjoy achieving outcomes and will find great satisfaction in supporting cancer patients and being part of cutting edge research.

To be considered for this position, applicants must upload a copy of their current CV and address the “essentials” below in a separate cover letter.

Essential

  • A university degree in science, applied science, health or a health related discipline. Candidates with a relevant TAFE qualification combined with work experience are also encouraged to apply.
  • Strong skills in venepuncture, or willingness to train.
  • Experience working in a laboratory and processing whole blood samples to collect fractions.
  • Demonstrated ability to follow strict protocols.
  • Knowledge of patient confidentiality and privacy requirements
  • Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and a demonstrated capacity to liaise with professionals and patients in a clinical setting.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals, as well independently without close supervision.
  • High level computer skills including Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills in order to manage multiple work activities with shifting priorities.

Desirable (experience in one or more of the following areas would be an asset)

  • Preparation of PBMCs from blood.
  • Understanding of good laboratory practice guidelines.
  • Knowledge of melanoma.

Only applicants with full working rights within Australia should apply. Only applicants we wish to interview will be contacted. Our working week is 38 hours so those on student visas need not apply. This is a full-time, permanent role.

Please no recruitment agencies.

This advertisement will close 16 March 2024 but we may interview suitable candidates prior to this date.

Please apply via Seek using the button below.

We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which Melanoma Institute Australia works, and their Elders both past and present, and acknowledge the deep, continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land, waters, and sky.