Clinical Services Nurse Specialist

American Red Cross•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

Joining the American Red Cross is like nothing else – it’s as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better. When you choose to be a force for good, you’ll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life’s work with an ongoing mission that’s bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you’re cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work. Where Your Career is a Force for Good! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview): At the American Red Cross, you have a direct impact on a meaningful mission. When you join our team, you can help save lives every day. You’ll be part of a like-minded team that shares a passion for making a difference and a work environment that supports growth, learning, and success. This position is a unique opportunity to provide 1-on-1 care to patients in a specialty area (Therapeutic Apheresis). Our nurses get to work collaboratively with physicians and act as the go-between for the physician and the patient. You will get to travel to different hospitals and Red Cross sites. We do the following procedures: plasma exchange, red cell exchange leukapheresis, stem cell harvests, photopheresis, therapeutic phlebotomies, platelet reductions, and white blood cell depletion. WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities): You will perform Apheresis procedures autonomously in multiple settings, including critical care, emergency room, and freestanding outpatient centers.

Requirements

Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse and CPR certification is required.
Bachelor’s degree OR a combination of education and work experience.
Two years experience in medical/surgical or critical care nursing, OR-related experience.
Good vein selection and venipuncture skills are essential.
Good verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively discuss procedures and medical issues with patients, families, and physicians.
A current valid driver's license and a good driving record are required.

Nice To Haves

Previous apheresis or dialysis experience is beneficial but not required.
Customer service experience, effective verbal communication, and public relations skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform Apheresis procedures autonomously in multiple settings, including critical care, emergency room, and freestanding outpatient centers.
Perform venipunctures, access central venous catheters, and access vortex and bard ports.
Perform all phases of therapeutic apheresis procedures (plasma exchange, red cell exchange, platelet, and white cell reduction, photopheresis, and hematopoietic progenitor cell collection), to ensure safe and appropriate care of the patient and explain, as needed, the procedures for patients and their family and other attending healthcare professionals.
Act as a consultant to external health care personnel about clinical apheresis.
Assess patient status relative to therapeutic apheresis, prior to and during procedures, utilizing the nursing process, laboratory testing results, and other clinically significant procedures.
Coordinate closely with physicians and nurses at a variety of hospitals to arrange therapeutic apheresis treatments and facilitate coordinated care.
Evaluate patient medication for compatibility and safety of apheresis procedure and determine when to contact the physician.
Assemble, restock, QC, and maintain supplies and equipment in a state of readiness to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient work environment.