Neuropathology Research Assistant I - WMU Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine
Kalamazoo, MI
About the Job
Overview
This employee will be responsible for supporting the research project of the Lieber Institute for Brain Development(LIBD) by reviewing and interpreting investigative and medical records to determine suitability for referral of recentdeaths to LIBD. The employee will be responsible for obtaining, preparing, and preserving human brain tissue,collaborating with the Office of the Medical Examiner, collaborating with funeral directors in Michigan, recoveringbrains both at WMed and at funeral homes, dissecting the brains, obtaining photographs, and shipping human tissueto the LIBD. Travel to funeral homes and other locations will be required to recover tissue from a decedent. The hoursfor this position will be somewhat irregular. Regularly working weekends and holidays on a rotation with others isrequired as the activities occur 365 days per year. On certain days, participation with other activities in theDepartment of Pathology may be required.
Responsibilities
- Based upon pre-established criteria, promptly identifies deaths meeting criteria for donation of the brain toresearch.
- Facilitates brain donations in collaboration with the Office of the Medical Examiner; this may involve contactingthe family and obtaining consent with a voice recording.
- Dissects, photographs and prepares brain for shipment to the LIBD following specific research protocols.
- Responsible for uploading all documents and photographs associated with the LIBD donation to web-baseddatabase of reported deaths accurately and promptly.
- Travels to local/regional funeral homes to remove brains from decedents that have had tissue consented forresearch.
- Conducts all service and research endeavors within the Division of Neuropathology and the Department ofPathology.
- Assists with forensic examinations on formalin-fixed brains, captures and uploads digital photographs withaccurate labeling.
- Documents, maintains and ships tissue in accordance with chain-of-custody protocols.
- Monitors web-based database of reported deaths for accuracy and thoroughness as it pertains to requiredcriteria for brain donation.
- Monitors excel databases required for organization and case completion tracking.
- Assists Research Histology Laboratory with management and organization of neuropathologic slides andparaffin-embedded tissue blocks.
- At times, may be responsible for cleaning up bodily fluids from cadavers located outside of the Department of Pathology.
- Availability to work on weekends, on a rotating schedule, and on evenings, as needed.
- Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
- Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Therequirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field, required
- Experience reviewing and interpreting investigative and medical reports, highly desirable
- Experience in research laboratory or autopsy facility, highly desirable
- Experience with autopsy procedures and working with human tissues, highly desirable
- Experience with web-based data management, highly desirable
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:
- Driver’s license with a driving record that would allow for use of WMed vehicle
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- The individual in this position must be motivated, interested in the work, have a desire to contribute and a passion forneuroscience. In addition, the following skills and abilities are essential:
- Exceptional communication skills that would allow for communication with family members of deceased individuals, funeral directors and researchers at outside institutions.
- Able to calmly solve problems and challenges independently, schedule flexibility to allow for arriving early at workto screen deaths on certain days and to recover brains at funeral homes in evenings, as needed.
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office, file management, and other software, as required by the Division of Neuropathology and the Department of Pathology.
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of work flow.
- Able to perform duties independently, with minimal need for direct supervision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job.
- The employee regularly works in a clean, well-lighted, temperature controlled, and smoke-free environment. Thenoise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Minimal risk of exposure to noxious substances andinfectious agents.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfullyperform the essential functions of this job.
- The employee must be able to perform a combination of sitting, standing and walking. Must have the ability to hearwithin normal range and possess the physical capability and hand dexterity to operate basic office equipment.
- Occasionally lifts average of 30 pounds.
INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Exhibits a commitment to the values expressed in the medical school mission, vision and values; EducationalPledge; Code of Professional Conduct; and building a supportive learning and working environment with apositive attitude at the work place and toward their job.
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact in a positive and helpful manner with allconstituents both internally and externally in a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Ability to work effectively on group projects with internal and external customers in a collaborative manner.
- Applies knowledge of principles and process for providing exemplary stakeholder service and support. Thisincludes assessment of stakeholder needs, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of stakeholdersatisfaction.
- Maintains the confidentiality of all patient, employee, physician, student, and institutional information.
- Supports and assists enhancing the diversity, culture and inclusiveness of the medical school.