What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Asst III, Pediatric Critical Care position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center?
Research Asst III, Pediatric Critical Care
- 2202478
Job Summary
Our lab studies endothelial and vascular dysfunction during systemic inflammation. We primarily focus on sepsis, the body’s response to a severe infection, and use multimodal techniques to assess the cellular and molecular impact of sepsis using both in vitro and in vivo assays, as well as data and sample collection from patients suffering from sepsis. The RAIII will work closely with members of the laboratory in performing experiments and will assist other members in doing routine lab maintenance, as well as train additional members in current or new skills attained. Motivated individuals will be given the opportunity to explore and work on independent projects.
Department/Unit Summary:
Our division cares for critically ill infants and children from birth through adolescence in two locations. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) serves children with primary medical conditions or following surgical procedures performed by a variety of groups including: Pediatric Surgery (including trauma), Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology and others. The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care unit (PCICU) cares for children with primary heart disease, both congenital and acquired. We are committed to excellence in patient care, research, and in the training of the next generation of intensive care physicians. Our faculty members work collaboratively with pediatric specialists throughout Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (MCJCHV) to provide a highly coordinated approach to caring for critically ill children.
PATIENT CARE
The PICU is a 30-bed unit that provides highly specialized care for critically ill children. The Children's Hospital is a major referral center for various pediatric subspecialties including trauma, organ transplantation and burns. The PCICU is a 23-bed unit that supports services of the Vanderbilt Pediatric Heart Institute. In addition to admitting over 500 cardiac surgical patients annually, our unit supports one of the highest volume heart transplant programs in the country. The Critical Care Division supports an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) service that provides temporary support of lung and cardiac function and a Rapid Response/Code Team that attends to life-threatening emergencies throughout MCJCHV. Our division is also proud to be associated with Vanderbilt LifeFlight, one of the highest-rated and busiest critical care air medical transport services in the country. LifeFlight has a dedicated helipad on the roof of the Children's Hospital.
RESEARCH
Under the guidance of our board-certified faculty, our division has active clinical and basic science research programs. Laboratory research projects focus on the biology of vascular inflammation, mechanisms of cytokine signaling, and on endothelial inflammation in sepsis. Clinical projects are focused on limiting the long-term impact of critical illness on children including assessment of how prolonged critical illness effects brain function (delirium), and the utility of early mobilization of critically ill children in fostering more rapid neurologic recovery. These programs are the product of the strong collaborative efforts between members of the division and the rich research environment present at Children's Hospital and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
TRAINING
Our fellowship program currently accepts four pediatricians per year for three years of additional training in intensive care. Our goal is to create an environment of collegial scholarship and apprenticeship for trainees in Pediatric Critical Care medicine that fosters learning and growth for both fellows and faculty. Within this environment, we promote the development of empathy, respect, professionalism, scholarly inquiry, clinical excellence, and effective leadership as traits essential to practitioners of Pediatric Critical Care.
Position Shift:
Day Shift/Non-Exempt Position
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Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity — of culture, thinking, learning and leading — is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
VUMC Recent Accomplishments
Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:
- US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children’s Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.
- Healthcare’s Most Wired: Among the nation’s 100 “most-wired” hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.
- Becker’s Hospital Review: named as one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America”, in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.
- The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children’s hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows
- Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.
- National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement
- Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.
Additional Key Elements/ Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities
Under intermittent/minimal supervision, conduct experiments and assays including:
- Extraction and isolation of RNA, DNA and protein
- ELISA and EIAs
- Western blotting
- Real-time PCR
- Cell culture and conditional plating
- Confocal microscopy
- Flow cytometry
Independently must:
- Understand and follow experimental protocols as well as record, compile, interpret and communicate data/results
- Perform calculations involving molarities, % solutions, and serial dilutions
- Participate in general laboratory operation, reagent ordering and inventory maintenance.
***Desirable Attributes***
Candidates with laboratory experience in basic physiology and molecular biology accompanied by a basic understanding of general chemical principles is desired. Experience with cell culture is required. Prior experience with RNA isolation techniques and confocal microscopy are desirable. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are essential as is a history of job stability and commitment to work with a research team over the long term.
Individuals who apply should be capable of following through lists of assigned tasks, self-starters with an orientation for details and capable of keeping meticulous records. Candidates should possess basic computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent experience) and 4 years experience
- Physical Requirements/Strengths needed & Physical Demands:
Movement
- Occasional: Sitting: Remaining in seated position
- Occasional: Standing: Remaining on one's feet without moving.
- Occasional: Walking: Moving about on foot.
- Occasional: Lifting under 35 lbs: Raising and lowering objects under 35 lbs from one level to another
- Occasional: Push/Pull: Exerting force to move objects away from or toward.
- Occasional: Bending/Stooping: Trunk bending downward and forward by bending spine at waist requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles
- Occasional: Reaching below shoulders: Extending arms in any direction below shoulders.
- Occasional: Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hand or hands.
Sensory
- Occasional: Vision: Clarity of near vision at 20 inches or less and far vision at 20 feet or more with depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision.
- Occasional: Noise: May include exposure to occupational noise levels which equal or exceed an 8-hr time-weighted average of 85 decibels, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Hearing Conservation Program which includes training, use of hearing protection, and periodic audiometry.
- Continuous: Communication: Expressing or exchanging written/verbal/electronic information.
Environmental Conditions
- Occasional: Chemicals and Gasses: Medications, cleaning chemicals, oxygen, other medical gases used in work area.
- Occasional: Radiation: May be exposed to occupational radiation, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Radiation Safety Program which includes training, use of personal protective equipment with lead shielding, and personal dose monitoring.
