• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: SSA
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $50,329.13 - $50,329.13

Position Summary

The Department of Pediatrics is seeking a Technician B to join our team in a full time position to work within the division of Molecular Genetics. Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics is a world leader in providing care for children. Our mission areas include Healthcare, Education and Research. We offer care for our patients in over 25 specialty areas as well as individualized care for complex cases. Our Residency, Fellowship and Graduate programs are among the best in the Nation. Our Clinical, Translational and Basic Science research features collaborations across specialties and stretches from the bench to bedside. We also have several active Clinical trials available to our patients. This position will support the department by providing technical support to our division's research team.

We are seeking a bilingual/bicultural candidate for this position who has experience working with and among the NYC Hispanic/Latinx and Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander community. The successful candidate will have deep knowledge about the socio-cultural realities that impact these community members’ willingness to participate in biomedical and genetic research. They will understand and put into practice cultural values that promote trustworthy and respectful recruitment and study engagement with potential participants. The candidate will have experience in the process of developing and maintaining community/participant trust, will be knowledgeable about the role of trust in research participation, engagement and retention, and will show a genuine dedication to addressing any concerns related to study participation in a culturally responsive and respectful manner.

Responsibilities

• Work with principal investigator and genetic counselors to implement research study protocol.
• Handle recruitment of study patients.
• Explain study to patients in a professional, respectful, culturally responsive and efficient manner.
• Commitment to trust-building/maintenance with community members and potential participants.
• Engage with participants in a cultural responsiveness and respectful manner, this includes being respectful of their time and family commitments.
• Obtain informed consent and ensure that participants understand premise of project and what their participation entails.
• Address participation concerns in a respectful manner in order to address potential mistrust in biomedical and genetic research.
• Obtain and label screening specimens for testing.
• Enter data into study database and attend meetings with physicians and genetic counselors regarding eMERGE study.
• Performs related duties & responsibilities as assigned/requested.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology or physics or a completed animal husbandry program or equivalent in education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of various related laboratory procedures and techniques.
• One year of related experience.
• Coursework in biology and genetic.
• Coursework (or equivalent experience) in cultural or multicultural diversity and culturally responsive research practices.
• Clinical research experience.
• Bilingual/Bicultural with experience working with Hispanic Latinx and Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander populations.
• Firm understanding of socio-political context and lived reality of these communities and how this experience may impact their willingness to participate in biomedical and genetic studies.
• Ability to read, speak, and communicate effectively in Spanish or Chinese.

Other Requirements

• Organizational skills and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to maintain clear records, and work independently.
• Basic computer skills which include knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.