Blood Bank Tech

Ochsner Health•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Blood Bank Tech interviews prospective donors, determines donor suitability, and collects blood. The role performs quality control, operates computer systems, and completes administrative and other duties as directed by a supervisor. It requires maintaining donor and patient confidentiality and complying with applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements. The technician performs donor health-history interviews and health screenings, conducts a range of blood collections, prepares venipuncture sites, documents and reviews records for accuracy, and provides care and instructions to donors. The position also supports a positive customer-service environment, adapts communication to patient needs, participates in training and competency requirements, and follows department policies and the employer’s Compliance & Privacy Program. This is a patient-care role with routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, specimens that may contain disease, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. The work is classified as Light Work and requires travel between facilities, manual dexterity, and a flexible schedule that may exceed eight hours in a day.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Current driver's license in the state of practice and an excellent driving record to operate company-owned vehicles.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval of patient information.
Proficiency with Windows-style applications and keyboard use.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and professionally to individuals at varying levels throughout the patient-care process.
Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
Communication and customer-service skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands of Light Work, including occasional exertion of up to 20 pounds and frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds.
Ability to stoop, bend, reach, and grasp with arms and hands, and to demonstrate manual dexterity.
Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including more than eight hours in a day.
Ability to work in a patient-care environment with occupational exposure risks involving blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in phlebotomy and/or medical-assistance procedures.

Responsibilities

Conduct confidential donor health-history interviews according to SOP, AABB Standards, and FDA Regulations.
Perform volunteer, autologous, directed-donor, and therapeutic phlebotomy collections and complete appropriate documentation.
Enter information into computer systems and/or complete written documentation, reviewing records for accuracy.
Perform donor health screening, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, hemoglobin, and hematocrit determinations, according to SOP, AABB Standards, and FDA Regulations.
Select and prepare an appropriate venipuncture site according to applicable procedures and standards.
Provide donors with accurate information, care for adverse reactions, assess vital signs, provide oral fluids as appropriate, and give post-donation instructions.
Maintain a positive customer-service environment when interacting with donors, co-workers, corporate chair people, patients, and visitors.
Support management decisions, follow the department dress code, attend staff meetings, and participate in departmental training.
Adapt communication and conduct to the patient population, including respecting privacy, explaining services or procedures, and requesting permissions.
Complete annual requirements and individual competency requirements.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements and ensure compliance.
Report known or suspected unethical conduct and patient, employee, privacy, or other compliance-related concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.