Assistant-Development (Laboratory Research Assistant)

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a temporary full-time Development Assistant to join our dynamic Medical Affairs & Innovation & Portfolio Managment, netCAD team in Vancouver. Our netCAD facility is set up like a complete miniature blood centre, from donors booking to blood collections, to blood processing, and eventually blood distribution. But unlike other Canadian Blood Services licensed blood centres in which products are manufactured for transfusion, our facility is set up to support Canadian Blood Services in the development of new and improved blood products and deepening the understanding of the qualities of the current and new products for transfusion. We also provide blood products to scientists to support them in their endeavors to improve and advance the fields of transfusion medicine, transplantation, and cellular therapies, and many more.

In this role, you will be responsible for the planning and effective operation of the netCAD blood collections site. All activities are performed in accordance with established operating procedures or approved study protocol. Some of these duties are:

Formula for success

•    Planning netCAD blood collection centre including contacting and booking donors to meet development study designs and laboratory product needs and researchers’ products requests.
•    Preparing and setting up the netCAD blood collection site to receive donors.
•    Welcoming donors, volunteers, and the public to the netCAD collection site.
•    Registering donors including measuring the donor’s hemoglobin and performing blood grouping as required.
•    Assessing donor eligibility in accordance with the Donor Selection Criteria Manual (DSCM) and modified donors acceptability criteria for blood collected for development and research purposes.
•    Performing venepuncture and whole blood collection process while monitoring the donor for signs of discomfort.
•    Assessing donor issues (i.e. faints, etc) and taking appropriate action when necessary including providing first aid if required.
•    Discontinuing the blood collection process and providing post-donation instructions to the donor.
•    Follow up with donors for any post donation information received and medical for any positive transmissible disease results.
•    Working closely with the other members of the netCAD team to ensure the safety of each donor and ensure the donation process is smooth and seamless.
•    Carrying out activities in a professional manner to develop confidence of donors and the public in the blood collection process, ensuring each donor has an excellent donation experience and knows how much their donation is appreciated and will help make a difference.

Other duties included but not limited to:

•    Participating in the provision of blood products to researchers, including reviewing blood for research applications and uploading them into the database, communicating with Principal Investigators, drafting Materials Transfer Agreement, receiving and uploading blood orders into the database, ensuring the blood orders are fulfilled, and requesting for invoice for distributed blood products.
•    Participating in the management of the netCAD donors database, including donors recruitment events.
•    Entering and verification of data.
•    Reviewing study protocol and participating in study protocol walkthroughs.
•    Administrative tasks, including maintenance of supplies.
•    Supporting installation of new equipment and instrument.
•    Contributing to the preparation of netCAD specific operating procedures and work instruction.
•    Coaching and training new team members.
•    Contribute to operational decision making.
•    Other related duties as required.

Desired education and skills

•    Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized institution
•    Minimum 5 years related experience working at a research and development laboratory
•    Knowledge of blood and blood collection process is required
•    Certification and experience performing phlebotomy is required
•    Knowledge of blood component processing is an asset.
•    Ability to guide and train team members.
•    Good leadership skills.
•    Ability to work independently and with a team.
•    Ability to work safely and efficiently in a laboratory environment with biological and chemical hazards.
•    Very good verbal and written communication skills in English.
•    Strong skills in planning, organization and attention to detail.
•    Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access.
•    Flexible in work hours.

Note: An equivalent combination of education, training and experience maybe considered.

What we offer you

• Pay in lieu of vacation.
• Annual performance award up to 5%.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources.