Stem Cell Specialist I

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

Job Description

Union:  Non-Union 

Number of Vacancies : 1

Site:  Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Department:  Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Cell Processing Laboratory

Reports to:  Laboratory Manager 

Work Model:  On-Site

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: $35.77 - $44.71 per hour: To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy

Shifts:  Monday – Saturday (Sunday coverage possible); shifts include day, afternoon, and night

Status:  Temporary Full-Time (16 months)

Closing Date : June 25, 2025

Position Summary

The Cell Processing Lab (CPL) plays a central and crucial role in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the Stem Cell Specialist at this facility exercises significant independent judgment, initiative and decision making, extreme accuracy and attention to detail, as well as the ability to adjust to a flexible and sometimes unpredictable work schedule. Working with blood products for patient transplant is highly demanding mentally since it directly affects patient well-being and errors, both technical and clerical, can be very detrimental and are for the most part unacceptable. The work requires specialized training, adherence to clinical grade sterility technique, and flawless tracking systems (both electronic and on paper) to deliver optimal results in patient care. It also entails direct contact with biologically hazardous specimens.

Duties:

As a member of the CPL Team, and working under the direction of the Lab Manager, the Stem Cell Specialist’s principal responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with couriers for receipt and delivery of fresh cell products, and the shipment of cryopreserved cell products.
• Sampling, cryopreservation, and storage of cell products, including monitoring of storage conditions.
• Releasing and distributing of cell products, as well as facilitating clinical staff with infusions by performing product thaw at patients’ bedside.
• Assisting in bone marrow harvests in the Operating Room.
• Ensuring tracking and traceability of all fresh and cryopreserved products infused.
• Participate in QC and QA activities that support the labs facility, equipment, and processes; including handling and processing blood samples.
• Assisting in development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and validation protocols.
• Other responsibilities as assigned/required.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree program, Health Sciences or recognized equivalent required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a Cell Processing Facility, or equivalent, preferred.
• Experience working in clinical grade aseptic conditions preferred.
• Familiarity with GMP/GLP standards and guidelines preferred.
• Experience with clinical transplant of different types of hematopoietic progenitor and therapeutic cells preferred.

Must also have ability to:

• Perform duties in a professional and courteous manner in accordance with UHN standards.
• Exercise initiative and good judgement, and manage competing priorities.
• Produce high quality work while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrate effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Maintain awareness of, and familiarity with, applicable legislative and/or departmental policies.
• Comply with confidentiality requirements.
• Provide client-oriented service, respectfully working in an environment that values diversity.

Additional Information

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP )
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.