Research Assistant I - Lymphoma Myeloma

Research Assistant I – Lymphoma Myeloma

Position Overview
Provides administrative and patient care services for the coordination of research studies. 
This role supports clinical and translational research efforts focused on tissue and serum banking protocols. The position involves direct patient interaction for screening and consent, coordination of biospecimen collection from various clinical procedures, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure regulatory compliance and protocol integrity. 
 

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively across departments to support high-quality research operations.

Salary Range – Min - $39,500 Mid - $49,500 Max - $59,500

MD Anderson offers our employees:
•    Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
•    Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
•    Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
•    Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
•    Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
•    Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
•    Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
•    Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.
 

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Clinical Screening & Consent:
Screens new and potential patients in the clinic for participation in tissue or serum protocols. Obtains informed consent forms from patients for minimal-risk procedures and documents the consent process in the patient's medical records. Registers patients in OnCore and other relevant databases.

Sample Collection, Toxicity Reporting & Quality Assurance:
Assists in the management of research samples or data as needed. This includes working with many different departments. Ability to effectively communicate with these departments in order to collect data and prevent protocol deviations or violations. Assists in departmental duties, including Quality Assurance Rotation.
Ensures that specimens are obtained and routed to the designated department for processing and storage. Provides information to laboratory personnel on specific specimen collection procedures. Coordinates all activities related to the collection of research specimens, which may be obtained from various sources such as bone marrow aspirate or biopsy, tumor biopsy, FNA sampling, paracentesis or thoracentesis samples, serum collection, ducal samples, bronchial washing, and others.

Regulatory & Administrative:
Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team individually and in group meetings. Works with the Tissue Bank Director and oversight committee to receive, review, and process LOI (Letter of Intent) requests for tissue access and usage. Ensures that processes and procedures are implemented in accordance with the guiding principles of the Institutional Tissue Bank.

Inventory Control & Data Management:
Provides coordination for writing, submitting, and maintaining tissue or serum bank protocols. Develops and maintains a processing and tracking method for all protocol-related documentation—from origination to IRB submission, activation and implementation, through to completion, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.