Field Apheresis Nurse

Field Apheresis Nurse Per Diem

Bloodworks Northwest is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Field Apheresis Nurse Per Diem, delivering specialized apheresis nursing services across Bloodworks Bio partner sites, hospital locations, and mobile or remote clinical settings throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. This role primarily supports leukapheresis and other collection programs for pharmaceutical companies, cell and gene therapy programs, clinical trials, research, and commercial therapy partners by providing safe, consistent, high-quality apheresis care on a flexible per diem basis. The nurse may also provide experienced apheresis coverage for BAT schedule gaps as needed, including leukapheresis collections and therapeutic apheresis procedures (e.g., plasma exchange, red blood cell exchange, WBC/PLT depletions). Assignments vary in duration, location, and scheduling based on partner, program, business, and/or donor/patient needs.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Geographic Coverage:

Provides apheresis nursing coverage across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Frequent travel is required among multiple Bloodworks Bio sites, partner hospitals, sponsor locations, and assigned facilities within these territories.

Travel Expectations:

• Frequent regional travel by air and ground between assignments and partner sites.
• Flexible scheduling, including variable shift length, on-call coverage, and assignment-based hours.
• Built-in gaps between assignments, when operationally feasible, allow for return travel to home location.
• Travel premium applied for travel outside the following Washington counties where apheresis services are routinely performed: King, Pierce, and Snohomish.
• Bloodworks travel/expense policy to be applied for reimbursement of travel-related expenses (e.g., transportation, lodging, per diem personal meals while in travel status).

Work Structure (per Diem):

• This is a new per diem role with variable scheduling and work availability based on business demand; hours and continuous site placement are not guaranteed.
• Available work is expected to grow as new collections, pharmaceutical, clinical trial, hospital, and other business opportunities develop.
• Additional work may be available to support apheresis services routinely being scheduled in Washington, King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
• Assignment duration, location, and schedule may change based on partner, program, local staffing, and operational requirements; willingness to accept short-notice assignments and cross-site coverage within Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska is required.
• This position may be considered for expansion to full-time status in the future based on sustained business needs and organizational approval.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Field Apheresis Nurse, Per Diem.

• Support pharmaceutical company partner sites, cell and gene therapy programs, clinical trial protocols, research studies, and other Bloodworks Bio collection programs with experienced apheresis nursing expertise as assigned.
• Provide flexible coverage at hospital partner locations, in-house apheresis units, and mobile or off-site apheresis operations where applicable.
• Provide local BAT schedule coverage as needed to address staffing gaps and support continuity of apheresis operations.
• Coordinate with department leadership, Medical Director or designee, and partner sponsors regarding travel logistics, credentialing, and assignment-specific clinical requirements.
• Independently perform assigned leukapheresis and other apheresis collection procedures using the Terumo Spectra Optia Apheresis System in accordance with applicable protocol, sponsor, and Bloodworks requirements.
• Independently perform all therapeutic procedures using the Terumo Spectra Optia Apheresis System as needed, including therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), red blood cell exchange (RBCx), leukapheresis, and therapeutic depletions.
• Collaborate with department leadership to establish and equip off-site apheresis locations, ensuring each site is appropriately prepared to provide apheresis services in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and organizational policies.
• Collect blood components from subjects enrolled in internal and external research studies.
• Organize a plan for the procedure before starting, i.e., coordination with the Medical Director or designee, making phone calls to hospitals, etc.
• Measure vital signs and compare them to normal values for heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure. Report variations to the Apheresis Provider On-Call.
• Perform venipuncture for both blood sampling and therapeutic and/or research procedures.
• Draw blood samples for various tests into appropriate tubes, properly labeled and with lab slips. Deliver blood samples to the proper lab for processing.
• Recognize changes in a patient's clinical status and notify the Apheresis Provider On-call and the patient's provider of adverse events as needed.
• Evaluate the patient's plan of care and tolerance of apheresis procedures.
• Familiarize oneself with the medical problems of donors/patients to be perfused and ask the Apheresis Provider On-Call whether any special complications might be anticipated.
• Evaluate the respiratory and cardiovascular status of donors/patients. Notify the Apheresis Provider On-Call of any complications.
• Explain all aspects of procedures to donors/patients before beginning.
• Record nursing notes, lab values, and other donor/patient-related information.
• Administer medication when needed orally, subcutaneously, and/or intravenously.
• Administer blood components as per the Apheresis Provider order.
• Identify a transfusion reaction and follow the protocol for a reaction.
• Demonstrate proper administration of oxygen per nasal prongs, mask, and Ambu bag.
• Know the location of the emergency medications.
• Assist medical providers and paramedics with emergency procedures.
• Use and properly care for A-V shunts and central venous catheters (i.e., Quinton, Hickman, etc.).
• Utilize equipment; troubleshoot the department's equipment. When unable to solve problems on their own, they utilize resources, i.e., company services, company technical assistance, Bloodworks manuals, etc.
• Use point-of-care testing equipment in-house or at area hospitals.
• Properly screen potential donors for acceptability by checking medical history, medication records, labs, etc. Understand the post-donation issues returning donors face.
• Listen with empathy to donors, patients, and family members.
• Maintain a pleasant environment for donors/patients.
• Maintain a good working rapport with medical providers, lab personnel, and fellow staff members.
• Communicate effectively with peers to identify errors or problems; express views without being judgmental or condescending; ask for help when necessary.
• Order and stock supplies for the department.
• Maintain a clean work area and equipment. Intervene to provide a safe environment, i.e., wipe up spills, position electrical cords out of walkways, keep halls clear, and follow smoking regulations.
• Create, modify, maintain, and transmit electronic records in a controlled and approved manner in conformance with FDA requirements.
• Must maintain active Registered Nurse licensure in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, or demonstrate ability to obtain and maintain multi-state licensure (e.g., compact license or endorsement) before assignment in each territory.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS :

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current RN licensure; multi-state licensure or ability to obtain licensure in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska required or obtained within defined timelines.
• Minimum of three years of apheresis nursing experience required. Must demonstrate the ability to independently perform the full range of apheresis collections and procedures on the Terumo Spectra Optia, including therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), red blood cell exchange (RBCx), leukapheresis

Bloodworks Northwest