Apheresis Nurse

The Blood Connection•Greenville, SC

About The Position

Position requires every other weekend & rotating on call. An Apheresis Nurse performs patient cellular therapy collections using automated technology. Depending on the patient, venous access is obtained by either peripheral venipuncture or access to central venous catheter. An Apheresis Nurse administers medications to patients if indicated by ordering physician and/or Medical Director. This position performs Cellular Therapy apheresis and Donor Advocacy. An Apheresis Nurse demonstrates excellent customer service, promoting a professional image of The Blood Connection.

Requirements

Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and maintain current RN or LPN license with the SC State Board of Nursing (Graduate Nurses may be considered if approved by the VP of Clinical Support Services and if the nurse has obtained a temporary license in accordance with the SC State Board of Nursing)
Ability to operate/learn automated collection devices
Ability to follow SOP in a heavily FDA regulated environment
Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines
Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills
Strong computer skills including intermediate skill level with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully, and courteously to patrons, donors, sponsors and co-workers
Ability to work with all levels in a diverse work environment
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and peers

Nice To Haves

Apheresis or Dialysis background preferred
Proficient in performing and understanding patient central line care

Responsibilities

Cellular Therapy Collections: Performs various cellular therapy collections using automated technology
Ensures cellular therapy patients are collected within timeframe and guidelines established by ordering service
Ensures adequate coverage of patient collections and customer needs through appropriate scheduling
Ensures collected products are shipped in accordance to guidelines established by ordering service
Performs central venous catheter (CVC) access and care. If required, performs CVC dressing change
Performs peripheral venous access
Administers medications to patients if indicated by ordering physician and/or Medical Director and ensures right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, at right time
Coordinates closely with ordering physician to ensure optimal patient care
Ensures adequate supplies on hand to perform cellular therapy procedures, restocks supplies when needed, and ensures supplies have not expired
Serves as a preceptor and resource to other Cellular Therapy Collections staff as needed
Obtains at least 10 hours of continuing education annually, as required by FACT
Donor Collections: In absence of cellular therapy collections and donor advocacy, the Apheresis Nurse performs donor apheresis collections and/or other donor collections (if trained)
Performs donor screening, phlebotomy, and post donation care
Departmental: Adheres to departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and external regulatory standards
Stays abreast of new trends, technology, and regulations as related to apheresis and cellular therapy
Acts as a resource for non-nursing collection staff
Abides by requirements listed in contracts between TBC partners and TBC regarding cellular therapy collections
Donor Reaction Management and Donor Advocacy Serves as a contact for staff and donors in a circumstance where injury or reaction is suspected or identified, as well as documenting donor interaction in the donor’s reaction record
Serves as the contact point for adverse reactions/injuries
Routes pertinent information regarding complaints to the appropriate personnel to help resolve donor customer service issues
Escalates any adverse reactions or injuries that necessitate medical intervention or payment of medical bills to RN Coordinator (report to the VP of Clinical Support Services in the absence of RN Coordinator)
Serves as the contact point for donor complaints regarding customer service
Documents and routes information regarding complaints to the appropriate personnel to help resolve service issues
Follows up with donors and parents of minor donors who experience adverse reactions to the blood donation process to assure donor receives all necessary care and treatment
Creates and maintains documentation for adverse reactions, closing them out when all necessary follow-up is complete
Receives calls from donors with information on post donation events
Receives calls regarding donor suitability issues
Performs donor follow-up stemming from donor surveys, call backs, and BacT investigations
Receives donor feedback from TBC Response Center and performs follow-up as appropriate
Provides excellent customer service, cultivating positive working relationships with all staff, volunteers and external customers
Exhibits safety, accuracy, respectfulness and efficiency within job tasks
Assists with special projects as assigned
Miscellaneous: Other duties as assigned or required