Nemours is seeking a Biological Safety Officer to join our Nemours Children's Health team in DE.
The Biological Safety Officer (BSO) is responsible for biological safety and oversite at all Nemours Research Department Delaware Valley locations. The BSO must be knowledgeable of federal, state, and local guidelines related to Biosafety, and is responsible for ensuring that the research department remains in compliance with these regulations and maintains accordance with Nemours policies in order to achieve the optimal control of biohazards and ensure the reduction of risk.
The BSO serves as the principal source of expertise for biological safety to Nemours Research regarding appropriate equipment, facilities, and work practices for protecting laboratories, staff, and the environment from contamination and infectious organisms. They provide technical guidance to faculty and staff in the development of safety plans for grant applications; advises site facilities and staff regarding technical and programmatic issues involving laboratory biosafety design and maintenance. The BSO participates in and provides leadership to various internal committees and task forces, such as the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Research Safety Committee. They actively participate in external meetings, organizations, and establish/maintain liaisons with professional counterparts in other institutions.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required
At least one year of related experience required
Eligibility for or willing to obtain certification by ABSA (RBP or CBSP) is strongly preferred.
Primary Responsibilities:
1. Works with Research Regulatory Affairs and Research Safety managers to develop and review related policies, manuals, and procedures as it relates to the biosafety program. They are responsible for managing biosafety administrative tasks for the safety program including maintaining records and preparing periodic reports for institutional management regarding the Research Biosafety Program status.
2. Works with principal investigators, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory staff to develop a culture of safety and responsibility within the labs. Provides technical guidance on biosafety related protocols, standard operating procedures, and work practices involving laboratory biosafety design and maintenance.
3. Develop, implement, and track biosafety trainings to ensure that new, and current staff, students, and others receive the appropriate level of Biosafety training for their work duties and environment. Manages biosafety existing protocols and procedures for all DV office and research lab moves and relocations. Works with principal investigators, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory staff to ensure they are aware of these processes.
4. Serves as the primary intermediary between the IBC and principal investigators (PIs) and/or laboratory manager/supervisors. Attends the Nemours Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) quarterly meetings. Assists the IBC to ensure the research at Nemours is conducted in accordance with NIH Guidelines.
5. Maintains current biosafety knowledge, including regulations, guidelines, recommendations, and standard practices using a variety of professional sources including NIH Guidelines, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), ABSA International (ABSA), CDC, WHO, etc.
6. Monitors all Nemours research, activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant DNA molecules for compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices. Oversees select agent transfers to and from Nemours laboratories; monitors use of toxins covered by the CDC's Select Agent ruling.
7. Routinely surveys and inspects laboratories and facilities that house biological agents and materials on a regular basis. Maintains and provides Nemours Incident Action Plan for biohazards including historical records of findings, action steps, and resolutions. Reports biosafety issues, violations, and incidents to the Research Safety and Facilities Operations Manager.
8. Proactively acts to identify and reduce risks wherever possible and recommends actions necessary to minimize risks and comply with pertinent regulations and policies.
9. Develops and implements emergency response procedures for incidents involving biological hazards. Responds to biohazardous materials incidents i.e., spill response, exposure response, and related incidents as appropriate.
10. Additional miscellaneous duties and responsibilities may be assigned as deemed necessary.
Nemours is committed to improving the health of children. As a non-profit children’s health organization, we consider the health of every child to be a sacred trust. Through family-centered care in our children’s hospitals and clinics in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida, as well as world-changing research, education and advocacy, Nemours fulfills the promise of a healthier tomorrow for all children — even those who may never enter our doors. Nemours began more than 70 years ago with the vision of Alfred I. duPont to improve the lives of children and to do whatever it takes to prevent and treat even the most disabling childhood conditions. Today, through our children’s hospitals and health system, we directly care for 250,000 children annually in Delaware Valley and Florida, including families who travel from across the country and world to see our specialists — treating every child as we would our own. We also reach beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics to be a voice for children on a national and international level, and to lead the way in prevention, intervention, education, and research. Nemours is growing to better serve the children and families in our ca...re. We have 1.1 million square feet of space currently devoted to providing children’s healthcare or under construction, all designed with significant input and advice from our patients and families.
