Apheresis Specialist-LPN

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job performs all functions related to the collection of human blood, apheresis donors, component preparation, and hemotherapy. Performs quality control of solutions and equipment and is responsible for quality assessment audits, chart reviews and QA reports. Instructs students and new personnel, performs related administrative duties, and maintains donor/patient confidentiality and assumes team leader responsibilities of overseeing fixed site or mobile collection functions as needed. Oversees donor reaction care by all staff, handles emergent reaction care, and insures all donor reaction documentation/follow-up is completed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
 

Education 

Required - Graduate of an accredited school of Practical Nursing

Work Experience

Required - 5 years Aphaeresis experience

Experience performing blood pressure, temperature, pulse, hemoglobin and hematocrit determinations according to Standard Operating Procedures.
 
Certifications

Required - Current State of Louisiana LPN licensure

Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of patient information.
• Must be proficient with Windows-style applications and keyboard.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Demonstrates good judgement in performing duties and conflict resolution
• Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, geology, chemistry, mathematics, hematology, and blood banking.

Job Duties

• Exhibits clinical competency by providing skilled nursing care to donors and patients under-going treatment by recognizing changes in patient/donor conditions.  Exhibits knowledge of all donor/patient procedures and performs these procedures according to SOP.
• Maintains professional accountability by completing assigned tasks within a mutually agreed upon time frame.
• Exhibits time management/organizational skills by organizing tasks and performing them so that team members can follow behind and easily trace all work steps. Completes all necessary documentation. Maintains adequate levels of supplies and assists in setup, breakdown, and maintenance of equipment.
• Maintains regulatory compliance/safety by maintaining an awareness of AABB, FDA, CAP, JCAHO, and OSHA standards/guidelines for Blood Bank Donor/Therapeutic Services.  Accurately performs and documents all assigned QC and preventive maintenance, according to SOPs and pre-determined schedules.
• Maintains customer service by explaining procedures to be performed on the customers during procedures.
• Completes annual competency requirements and education assignments.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
 

Physical and Environmental Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.   (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Mechanical lifting devices (carts, dollies, etc.) or team lifts should be utilized.
Must be able to stoop, bend, reach and grab with arms and hands, manual dexterity.
Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time.
Must be able to travel throughout and between facilities.
Must be able to work a flexible work schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability)

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.