Flow Cytometry Test Developer

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Research and Test Development Lead, Mass General Brigham (MGB) Flow Cytometry, reporting to the Medical Directors of the MGB Flow Cytometry Laboratory and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Hematology Laboratory, is functionally responsible for flow cytometry clinical test integration across the MGB network, including new test design, development, and implementation, and also supports lab operational management with associated quality assurance activities. Clinical activities will take place primarily at the MGB Flow Cytometry Laboratory currently located in the BWH Department of Pathology. The incumbent will also oversee and support flow cytometry training and educational activities within the MGB Flow Cytometry Laboratory and the entire MGB network. The position does not perform daily clinical testing.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MGB Flow Cytometry Laboratory Integration

• Interacts collaboratively with laboratory medical directors and hematopathologists to oversee the development, direction, and expansion of the enterprise-wide Flow Cytometry Integrated Laboratory Service (ILS) currently based primarily at BWH.

• Interacts collaboratively with laboratory directors and hematopathologists to develop and optimize workflows, standard operating procedures, and quality metrics within the MGB Flow Cytometry ILS.

• Oversees the design, standardization, optimization, and validation of clinical flow cytometry laboratory test panels and templates within the MGB Flow Cytometry ILS, seeking collaborative input from AMC and community-based hematopathologists as needed.

• Oversees the validation and integration of new diagnostic assays into the clinical flow cytometry laboratory framework, including measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) assessment, cell sorting for FISH and molecular applications, DNA ploidy, and flow cytometry-based functional assays.

• Oversees insourcing of flow cytometry testing currently being sent outside of the MGB enterprise to the Flow Cytometry ILS, beginning with MGH volume follow by MGB community volume, ensuring that needs of pathologists, providers, and patients at each site are met.

• Proactively identifies areas that are potentially problematic, challenging, or inefficient in the enterprise-wide operation; presents alternative solutions and helps to create plans to address these issues.

• Identifies and evaluates flow cytometry reagents, instrumentation, and software, ensuring that appropriate regulatory guidelines are met.

• Participates in MGB Flow Cytometry ILS meetings, Beaker Flow Cytometry meetings, meetings with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) staff for issues pertaining to flow cytometry, panel design/development meetings with MGB hematopathologists, and other meetings as needed.

• Monitors quality of work performed within the MGB Flow Cytometry ILS and develops, collects, and reports relevant metrics evaluating laboratory performance in conjunction with BWH Hematology Clinical Lab Manager.

• Provides support to BWH-based laboratory supervisory team with validation of new flow cytometry instrumentation, instrument troubleshooting and maintenance, quality control, calibration, integrity of performance, and data output.

• Provides support for MGH-based flow cytometry testing housed within MGH HLA Laboratory, including assisting with instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, reagent inventory and purchasing, staff training and support, and quality assurance.

• Major role in regional outreach on behalf of the MGB Flow Cytometry ILS, including development of business plan for reference laboratory testing, with the goal of becoming a regionally and nationally reputable flow cytometry reference laboratory and Center of Excellence.

Training and Education

• Major role in flow cytometry training and education, including formal and informal teaching of medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and other technical personnel, residents, and hematopathology fellows and faculty.

• Provides training, mentorship, guidance, and support to technical flow cytometry personnel, including formal and informal teaching, development of training plans and competency assessments, and development and execution of teaching sessions focused on case work-up, basic analysis and higher-level functions, such as advanced instrument troubleshooting, work-up and analysis of complex cases, MRD analysis, and new panel design and development.

• Arranges for in-service education, training, and lectures for various groups (MLS and other technical personnel, residents, and hematopathology fellows and faculty) appropriate to their roles and levels of knowledge and expertise.

• Identifies educational and instructional opportunities through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), International Clinical Cytometry Society (ICCS), Society for Hematopathology (SH), International Society for Laboratory Hematology (ISLH), and other professional organizations through new and established contacts.

• Works collaboratively with MGB MLS training program leadership to provide flow cytometry training and education to students within the MGB MLS training program.

• Provides input into technical staff performance reviews and competency assessments in collaboration with lab management.

• Provides input into recruitment of new technical staff, in collaboration with laboratory medical leadership and HR.

• Supports cross-training of technical staff in different aspects of flow cytometry and with various other laboratory areas in response to operational needs and to promote staff development and retention.

Compliance

• Supports the MGB Flow Cytometry Laboratory and the MGH HLA Laboratory as needed in Joint Commission inspection readiness.

• Assists lab operational leadership in the identification and investigation of flow cytometry-related quality and safety (Q&S) concerns in collaboration with MGB Quality and Patient Safety and aids in the investigation of Q&S concerns brought forward by other parties.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Advanced knowledge of flow cytometry and related immunology/immunopathology techniques.

• Experience with the development and implementation of flow cytometry testing panels

• Ability to prioritize tasks, plan a project timeline, and independently make decisions.

• Excellent leadership, organizational and operational skills, and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent multitasking skills and strong attention to detail.

• Excellent and effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to share new ideas and initiatives and foster buy-in from others.

• Highly self-motivated with a positive attitude and singular focus on accomplishment of laboratory and enterprise goals and mission.

• Ability to effectively lead, train, and motivate others.

• Strong knowledge of Flow Cytometry and Microsoft Office software products.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

• MT (ASCP) or equivalent preferred
• SCYM (ASCP) preferred

EDUCATION:

Master's or PhD Degree in biology, biotechnology, immunology, education, or related discipline preferred

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 10 years of experience in Flow Cytometry or a related field.