Apheresis Registered Nurse

Apheresis Nurse

At The Blood Connection, every role plays a part in saving lives. Join our team and help make an impact in your community today!

Position Overview

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.

Essential Functions

• 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

Minimum Qualifications

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

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled