Research Tissue Coordinator

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

The Clinical Research Tissue Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, collection, processing, documentation, storage, and shipment of biospecimens for oncology clinical trials. This role ensures that all tissue and blood specimens are handled in strict accordance with protocol requirements, laboratory and pathology manuals, and regulatory standards, to support high-quality research data and patient safety. The coordinator serves as a key liaison between clinical research staff, pathology, laboratory services, and external vendors to ensure timeline and compliance with biospecimen management across studies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinates the collection of protocol-required biospecimens (e.g., tumor tissue, blood, bone marrow, other biological samples) for oncology clinical trials.
• Verifies specimen requirements including collection timepoints, volume, preservatives, temperature, and processing timelines.
• Ensures specimen are collected, processed, labeled, and stored according to protocol, laboratory and pathology manuals, and institutional policies.
• Labels, receives, and processes samples (blood, urine, tissue, etc.) for clinical trials per specific protocol guidelines to include logging samples into and out of the department.
• Performs quality checks to ensure specimen integrity and completeness prior to shipment.
• Ensures appropriate packaging, labeling, and courier scheduling for ambient, refrigerated, frozen, or cryogenic shipments.
• Communicates shipment status and resolves issues related to delayed, rejected, or compromised specimens.
• Requests, receives, and returns tissue samples from external pathology facilities.
• Records all data in specific forms per GCP/GDP (Good Clinical Practice/Good Documentation Practice) and protocol requirements.
• Identifies, documents, and escalates specimen-related deviation or noncompliance, and participates in root cause analysis and corrective/preventative action (CAPA) activities related to tissue errors as needed.
• Manages inventory of clinical trial supplies and kits, as well as departmental supplies
• Coordinates timely ordering and replacement of kits to avoid delays in specimen collection.
• Ensures proper storage and expiration monitoring of kits and reagents.
• May serve as an assistant to investigators during dissections or surgery.
• Maintains laboratory and surgical areas with proper aseptic techniques.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to make independent decisions, process information accurately, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and be organized.
• Ability to accurately pipette and maintain sterile conditions as required.
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to follow complex protocols and manuals.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma required.  Associate degree or higher preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in clinical research, laboratory operations, pathology, or biospecimen management required. Experience working with pathology or histology specimens (e.g., FFPE blocks, slides) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing and able to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must be willing and able to travel to biopsy facilities when necessary.
  • Will require travel to location where specimen is being collected to obtain specimens from various sites in.  Travel mileage to be reimbursed with properly filled out expense form.