Cell Therapy Specialist II

Job Title

Cellular Therapy Lab Specialist

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states.

Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

The Cellular Therapy Lab (CTL) at Fred Hutch Cancer Center is on the cutting edge of new technologies for cancer therapy, including cell-based immunotherapy. We are committed to advancing treatment options for our patients through the translation of innovative research into clinical practice. We collaborate with our consortium partners (University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital) as well as industry (biotechnology) and non-industry external entities.

CTL is responsible for all minimally manipulated therapeutic cell processing occurring at Fred Hutch. Procedures range from cryopreservation to flow cytometric enumeration of cell proportions to more complex procedures such as cell selection, enrichment, and depletion. The laboratory is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cGTP/cGMP standards, maintains College of American Pathologists (CAP) certification, and is accredited by the Joint Commission and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

This position will be full-time, Tuesday-Saturday. Flexibility is required as there could be night, weekend, and holiday rotations.

• Process cellular products/specimens according to standard operating procedure (SOP) and specific guidance for clinical trials using aseptic technique
• Perform and analyze results of quality control testing of components, including automated nucleated cell counts and flow cytometry
• Document processing steps accurately, generate processing reports and prepare patient/donor laboratory charts; review processing reports and charts
• Understand and stay current with SOPs as needed and perform SOP qualifications. Provide input/feedback to Lab Supervisor on documentation and process improvements
• Participate in the training process of newer, less experienced CTL Specialists
• Thaw cryopreserved components and assist with infusion at the patient bedside
• Meet unrelated donor (URD) component couriers and perform necessary testing and processing of components prior to release
• Perform special processing:
  • CliniMACS® cell selection e.g. CD34+ cell enrichment, CD3+ cell depletion
  • Potentially assist with the bone marrow collection within operating room

Required:

• Four-year college degree with major in medical technology or biological sciences.
• 2+ years clinical cell therapy experience.
• Basic hematology knowledge
• Motivation and initiative to learn new scientific theory and applications
• Mature judgment
• Work independently with regular review of progress and results
• Proven team player
• Collaborate and communicate effectively across functions
• Interpret data thoroughly
• Strong trouble-shooting capabilities
• Scientific writing skills, including preparation of clear, concise SOPs and technical reports
• Strong math skills
• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility in scheduling: night, weekend and holiday rotations
• Must be able to differentiate between colors and pass a standardized color vision screen to perform this role

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical,…