The Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the School of Medicine with approximately 250 Faculty, 127 postdoctoral fellows (both MDs and PhDs) along with over 320 support staff (not including hospital staff). In addition, the Department has 68 clinical residents distributed across the Divisions. The missions of research, education and patient care are intertwined, and are integral to the goals of the department.

The Department manages a university-affiliated children's health system with the physicians and leadership of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Rady Children's Hospital, and Rady Children's Specialists of San Diego, a Medical Practice Foundation, unifying pediatric patient care, research, education and community service programs.

Under the supervision of the PI, the incumbent will support the clinical research and quality improvement efforts of the study team. Support the clinical research operation; communicate with research participants, schedule visits, assist in the handling and processing of biological samples; shipping of samples for general lab assays and data entry. May be involved in clinical and quality improvement projects that also involve recruitment, and ensuring performance of protocols according to schedule, including data entry and reporting on data results back to participants. Incumbent will assist in the day-to-day operation of the research team. Responsible for assisting with and ensuring the quality of data collected, maintaining databases, ensuring adequate lab supplies for the function of the lab. Under supervision maintain a sample flowchart of active clinical studies and or quality improvement projects and how participants flow through these project protocols as well as monitoring study/project samples/data collections. Will assist clinical team with participant home study visits to collect questionnaire data and clinical specimens. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year of laboratory or field experience or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in processing and shipping laboratory specimens-ambient and frozen. Demonstrated experience with guidelines of biohazardous handling. Knowledge and strict utilization of universal precautions when handling laboratory specimens.

• Experience managing biological samples, storage, and inventory.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Proven effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize workload and work independently.

• Ability to maintain and protect confidentiality of participant information.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with ability to propose alternative strategies to resolve issues.

• Must be IATA-certified to process and ship human specimens.

• Certified in hazardous materials handling.

• Graduation from college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and Clinical Research experience.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must be willing to work flexible hours to include early morning and weekends.

• Must be willing and able to work with biohazardous materials.

• Must be IATA certified to process and ship human specimens.

• Position will be based in San Diego and may require travel for home visits.

• Must be willing to be vaccinated against common diseases encountered in health care.

• Must be willing to carry and promptly respond to a cell during working hours.