Summary

The Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Abdominal Transplantation section, is seeking a qualified HLA Technologist I to support both the Solid Organ Transplant and the newly established Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program. This position performs laboratory testing for the purpose of evaluating the immune status of transplant candidates before and after transplantation. Testing supports the matching of donor solid organs and hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) donors to transplant candidates across our hospital affiliates, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. 

The selected HLA technologist I will be an enthusiastic, detail-oriented individual who demonstrates strong laboratory technique, critical thinking skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. This position will also be trained across multiple lab sections, including Molecular, AbID, Flow and Serology, to support the lab’s 24/7 on-call coverage model. 

This position will work Monday, 8:00 a.m. – Friday, 5:00 p.m.

Job Duties

• Performs various histocompatibility laboratory tests in Molecular, AbID, Flow and Serology sections, including but not limited to HLA typing, antibody identification, and crossmatching procedures. 
• Supports HLA sequencing and compatibility testing for solid organ and bone marrow transplant (BMT) candidates and donors. 
• Assists with donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing workflows, including specimen processing, assay performance, result documentation, and quality control as needed. 
• Performs and documents quality control and maintenance procedures in accordance with laboratory protocols. 
• Manages sample processing and maintains workflow to meet clinical turn around times, particularly for deceased donor and STAT BMT cases. 
• Cleans and maintains laboratory benches, equipment, and computer analysis workspaces. 
• Maintains patient records and results documentation.
• Utilizes computer systems appropriately for patient inquiry, specimen tracking, test result entry, and quality control documentation. 
• Performs reagent inventory management, ordering, and quality control verification. 
• Maintains compliance with wearing PPE requirements and OHSA safety guidelines.
• Understands, communicates, and complies with standards set by CAP, CMS, ASHI, CLIA, and other accrediting agencies. 
• Participates in the laboratory’s 24/7 on-call rotation for histocompatibility testing of deceased donors and urgent transplant cases in Flow and Serology sections. 
• Attends continuing education programs and maintains current knowledge in histocompatibility, transplant immunology, and laboratory best practices.  
• Attends and complies with mandatory institutional training programs (universal precautions, disaster preparedness, fire safety, chemical hygiene, environmental safety, biosafety, and hazard communication). 
• Performs multiple testing procedures simultaneously while adhering to strict time limits and maintaining accuracy. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Biological Science or a related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience in any area of clinical laboratory medicine.