Donor Care Specialist

Cape Cod Healthcare•Hyannis, MA

About The Position

The Donor Care Specialist performs donor screening, whole blood collections, therapeutic phlebotomy, and specimen collection in the donor center and at offsite blood drives. The role prepares and labels blood components and testing samples, documents donor records and deferrals in the computer system, and helps ensure quality control standards are met. It also supports donor recruitment, supply inventory and replenishment, and the cleanliness and safety of work areas. The specialist provides service to internal and external users in keeping with hospital customer service standards, maintains knowledge of applicable departmental and hospital policies and procedures, and performs other assigned work-related duties. Specialist I responsibilities additionally include recommending workflow and quality improvements, assisting with quality and related laboratory programs, and maintaining professional development. Specialist II responsibilities include training, orienting, and mentoring new hires or students. The posting describes qualifications for Donor Care Specialist I and Donor Care Specialist II. Both require a high school diploma or GED, English communication ability, good interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, ability to work independently and under pressure, and computer proficiency. Specialist I requires prior phlebotomy experience; national certification or completion of an accredited phlebotomy program is preferred, and BLS certification is required within 90 days of hire. Specialist II requires current DPT (ASCP) or QDP (ASCP) certification and maintenance of that certification, as well as BLS certification that must be maintained. One year of donor phlebotomist experience is preferred for Specialist II.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, and effectively communicate in English.
High school diploma or GED.
Good interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and under pressure.
Prior phlebotomy experience required for Specialist I.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire for Specialist I.
Proficiency using computers or laptops.
Current Donor Phlebotomy Technician (DPT (ASCP)) certification or Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy (QDP (ASCP)) required for Specialist II and must be maintained.
BLS certification required for Specialist II and must be maintained.

Nice To Haves

National certification or completion of an accredited phlebotomy program preferred for Specialist I.
One year of experience as a donor phlebotomist preferred for Specialist II.
Working knowledge of blood groups, Rh types, and donation procedures for Specialist II.

Responsibilities

Ensure satisfaction of internal and external users of the department’s services according to hospital customer service standards.
Screen donors to determine eligibility under CCHC, CDC, FDA, AABB, and CAP standards.
Perform whole blood collections and therapeutic phlebotomy procedures.
Perform whole blood collections at offsite blood drives and in the donor center.
Prepare and label blood components and samples for testing.
Accurately document donor records and enter data, including donor deferrals, into the computer system; ensure quality control standards are met.
Assist with donor recruitment.
Perform daily inventory and replenish donor care supplies as needed; send supply orders to the Supervisor or designee.
Obtain appropriate blood specimens from donors and patients.
Keep workbenches, testing areas, and other work areas clean, sanitary, and free of clutter.
Maintain knowledge of relevant departmental and hospital policies and procedures, including fire and disaster plans.
Provide service excellence to patients, family members, visitors, volunteers, and co-workers.
Perform other work-related duties and activities as assigned or requested.
For Specialist I: Recommend workflow practices and improvements in quality or efficiency to the immediate supervisor.
For Specialist I: Assist Section Supervisors and the Pathologist with programs such as quality control, instrument calibration, quality assurance and improvement, and development of new methodologies.
For Specialist I: Maintain professional growth through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of trends in the field.
For Specialist II: Train, orient, and mentor new hires and/or students on departmental procedures and operations.