Human Physiology Laboratory Manager at The Lundquist Institute

Human Physiology Laboratory Manager

at the Respiratory Medicine / Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

This is an opportunity for an outstanding PhD exercise physiologist to contribute to a high functioning and well-funded physiology research laboratory (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing - CPET and Pulmonary Function Testing, and CPET data center). Successful candidates will join a very active research team, that includes physicians, academic researchers, physiologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialist, study coordinators, Pulmonary and Critical Care trainees and students.

The primary duties are to manage the Exercise Physiology Laboratories, including personnel, scheduling, employee training, performance review, budgeting, proper operation of equipment, fixed asset inventory, and regular maintenance, calibration, and servicing. This position will also include managing a Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise (CPET) FDA Compliant Database Core site for several external clinical trials. Other duties will include complete pulmonary function and other tests of physical function in healthy individuals as well as patients with heart, lung, or other chronic diseases. The successful candidate will be expected to become an active member of the CPET core laboratory, facilitating both research and clinical exercise testing. Other duties will include record keeping, data analysis of physiologic tests, generation of reports, laboratory maintenance, working with study investigators, study sponsors, study coordinators, and research participants.

The opportunity occurs in the context of the activities in the center for Respiratory Medicine and Exercise Physiology (https://respiratoryresearch.org) within the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI). The TLI is one of the country’s leading non-profit biomedical research institutes, located on the campus of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Cali. The appointee will work with TLI investigators, including Asghar Abbasi, PhD, Carrie Ferguson PhD, William Stringer MD, Richard Casaburi PhD MD, Tom DeCato MD and Harry Rossiter PhD. The group is world-recognized for research in physiological mechanisms of exercise limitation in health and disease, and its research is published in the highest-ranked journals in field.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated with a PhD in exercise physiology or a related field (Kinesiology, Rehabilitation, or Exercise Science). A minimum of 3 or more years of physiologic assessment as well as working in and/or leading an Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Specific competencies include the following: pulmonary function testing; cardiopulmonary exercise testing (cycle and treadmill), treadmill cardiac stress testing, strength testing (e.g. Biodex), cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation, electrocardiogram testing, blood pressure measurement at rest and exercise, phlebotomy, sputum induction, clinical trials and/or physiology research. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and competencies.

The position is available from Summer 2024.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

· Doctorate Level Degree (PhD) in physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or equivalent

· Education and experience in physiologic assessment of human participants

· 3 or more years working in an Exercise Physiology Laboratory.

· 3 or more years with management, leadership, business experience.

Description of Duties:

· Contribute to the management and associated governance of CPET data processing Core Laboratory.

· Perform, oversee, teach (patients/subjects/staff) and quality control complete pulmonary function testing (PFT), including spirometry, lung volumes, and gas exchange measurements, inspiratory and expiratory pressures.

· Perform and oversee high quality, well calibrated and executed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients and research subjects, including treadmill, cycle, and arm ergometry.

· Analyze and interpret whole-body exercise responses involving the pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, neuromuscular, and neuropsychological systems during exercise.

· Perform muscle function assessments, including isotonic or isokinetic measurements.

· Perform physical function assessments, such as frailty assessments, 6MWD, stair climb, gait speed, handgrip etc.

· Manage equipment purchasing, maintenance, proper use of equipment by staff, patients, research participants and ensure quality of measurements made in human physiology laboratories.

· Actively participate in regular Lundquist Institute/Harbor-UCLA educational courses in CPET (currently 3 times per year, 3-day courses).

· Maintain knowledge of international guidelines for CPET and PFT application and interpretation.

· Recognize failing equipment, calibration and measurement errors and rapidly assess and remedy.

· Manage a quality assurance program in the human physiology testing laboratories.

· Maintain all necessary testing supplies in the physiology laboratories.

Proficiency

· High quality research and patient care cardiopulmonary exercise testing using bike, treadmill, or arm ergometer

· Interpretation of CPET tests, including gas exchange threshold, respiratory compensation point, and recognition of cardiac, ventilatory, gas exchange abnormalities from CPET.

· Cardiac 12 lead ECG treadmill exercise stress testing and interpretation (arrythmias and ischemia).

· Spirometry and maximum voluntary ventilatory (MVV) maneuvers.

· Full pulmonary function testing with body box and gas transfer measurements

· CITI Research Subject/Patient Safety/ Compliance with HIPPA regulations with regards to patient privacy.

· Exercise prescriptions for patients and study participants who are sedentary, active, athletic, or with chronic disease.

· Exercise training of patients with heart and lung disease.

· CPET data processing and database management, including quality control, and statistical analysis.

· Software skills to include word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), database management (e.g. REDCap), presentation (PowerPoint), statistical and graphical software (Sigmaplot, Origin). Programming knowledge encouraged (e.g., Igor, Matlab). __

Communication

· Accurate, timely, meaningful, concise, and helpful verbal and written communication. __

· Outstanding written documentation, conforming to laboratory SOPs. __

· Outstanding patient and research participant interpersonal skills and respect. __

· Outstanding communication skills with investigators. __

· Collaborative and respectful demeanor.

· Education of patients and research participants, staff, and other personnel involved in clinical trials.

· Excellent working relationships with all employees, including investigators, study coordinators, recruiters, and administrative staff internal and external to the Lundquist Institute.

· Recognize and organize assistance for potentially unstable, unsafe, worsening situations.

· Ensure that all laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) are up to date and communicated.

· Attendance and active participation at regular laboratory meetings.

· In-services and lectures with employees, both new and existing.

· Clinical research organizations (CRO) communication regarding physiologic testing components of clinical trials.

Leadership

· Manage physiology laboratories, including personnel, training, human resources, and equipment.

· Conduct and manage physiologic studies within federal and institutional regulations or policies, under the supervision of the Laboratory Director.

· Take responsibility for human resources needs of the employees of the physiology laboratories, including regular evaluations, interventions, hiring, and discipline.

Participant Enrollment and Retention

· Recruit and retain research participants, while adhering to the IRB-approved recruitment plans and goals.

· Perform informed consent with regards to physiologic testing, including risks and benefits of participation.

Study Management

· Initialize, maintain, and optimize ongoing clinical trial physiologic testing equipment, including setting up equipment, educating staff, and returning equipment upon study completion. __

Position requires a background check and health clearance

Please apply on-line @ https://careers.lundquist.org /

Equal Opportunity Employer – AA/M/F/Vet/Disability

Salary Range: $75,000-$125,000/yr.

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