Blood Bank Specialist - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Thomas Jefferson University•Philadelphia, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Blood Bank Specialist performs routine and specialized testing for the hospital transfusion service and hospital-based blood donor center in the Blood Bank Laboratory, and assists the Blood Bank Laboratory Manager and Supervisor with day-to-day operations. The specialist acts in a supervisory capacity when the Manager and Supervisor are absent, as needed. The role includes monitoring patient specimens and test results for accuracy and authenticity; ensuring compliance with regulations, procedures, protocols, and accreditation standards; reviewing antibody workups, ABO discrepancies, reference testing, donor collection results, and processing steps before blood products are placed into inventory; and investigating Exception Reports and procedural deviations. The specialist participates in root cause analysis and corrective actions, validates new equipment and processes, and leads and instructs other medical technologists. The specialist also trains students and other learners during rotations, processes and evaluates patient specimens, documents results in the Laboratory Information System, maintains clinical competency, and participates in proficiency testing and hospital or laboratory in-services. A bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Medical Laboratory Technology or a related field, two years of qualifying experience, and ASCP Specialist in Blood Banking certification are required. The position requires willingness to work a second shift.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Medical Laboratory Technology or a related field.
Two years of experience as a Medical Technologist or Medical Laboratory Technician, including transfusion service or blood bank laboratory experience.
ASCP Specialist in Blood Banking certification.
Must be willing to work a second shift.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and specialized testing for the hospital transfusion service and hospital-based blood donor center.
Assist the Blood Bank Laboratory Manager and Supervisor with day-to-day operations and act in a supervisory capacity in their absence as needed.
Monitor patient specimens to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of test results, including donor processing, outside source processing, antigen typing, CAP surveys, and annual competencies.
Ensure compliance with regulations, procedures, and protocols to maintain a safe laboratory environment and meet accreditation standards.
Provide supervisory and technical review of antibody workups, ABO discrepancies, reference work including reference laboratory send-out testing, and donor collection results and processing steps before blood products are placed in available inventory.
Review and investigate Exception Reports.
Investigate procedural deviations and participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Validate new equipment and processes.
Lead and instruct other medical technologists and train medical laboratory science students, medical students, pathology residents, and blood bank fellows during rotations.
Process patient specimens using established protocols for patient identification and labeling.
Evaluate specimen acceptability through visual inspection.
Document test results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Maintain clinical competency and participate in proficiency testing programs and hospital or laboratory in-services.
Provide technical education and training to technicians and students when requested by the supervisor or manager.

Benefits

Medical insurance, including prescription coverage.
Supplemental insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life and AD&D insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Flexible spending accounts.
Retirement plans.
Tuition assistance.
Voluntary benefits, including access to group insurance rates and discounts.
Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service.
Medical insurance, including prescription coverage, is available to all colleagues, including those working less than part-time.