Apheresis Technician

Overview

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Apheresis Site Manager, collects white blood cells and other blood products by apheresis or straight phlebotomy. This includes preparing donors and equipment for apheresis procedures and operating the apheresis equipment while monitoring the patient or donor throughout the collection procedure. Additionally, as a member of the biomaterials collection staff operating under an IRB approved protocol, this position will also be responsible for handling a variety of administrative tasks associated with research studies including recruiting, consenting, and qualifying donors, processing specimens and products, entering data, maintaining files, and any other clearly delineated tasks/projects as delegated by and with guidance from the Apheresis Site Manager, Director of Cell Therapy Program, and Principal Investigator.

Total Rewards Package

Compensation
The target salary is based on internal averages. Versiti sets salary ranges aligned to local markets in which the job is performed. Compensation decisions take into account internal salary averages and differentiation based on education, experience, skills, and performance. Specific salary and benefits information is shared at the time of the phone screening based on your location and qualifications.

Benefits
Versiti provides a comprehensive benefits package based on your job classification. Full-time regular employes are eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays, Short- and Long-term disability, life insurance, 7% match dollar for dollar 401(k), voluntary programs, discount programs, others.

Responsibilities

• Performs peripheral venipuncture, apheresis, and other donor related tasks to collect products to be used in research or further manufacture. This includes screening, consenting, and assessing donors in addition to completing all relevant collection paperwork, monitoring donor during collection procedure, and performing data entry, as needed.
• Observes donors for reactions, provides reaction care and assists other staff in handling reactions, if needed.
• Performs donor workups which includes preparing donor paperwork, drawing workup blood samples, performing vein assessments, and packaging/sending lab samples off site.
• Assesses donors prior to administration of filgrastim injections, performs filgrastim injections and conducts follow up calls as necessary.
• Assists management with coordination of donor schedule, including scheduling collection appointments, managing appointment calendar in Microsoft Outlook, and triaging appointment priorities.
• Coordinates with customers to schedule donors for apheresis.
• Contacts new donors to explain procedures and set up appointments.
• Performs multiple daily data entry tasks including entering lab data, entering data into BECS system, and tracking departmental metrics.
• Maintains supplies for collections.
• Performs monthly Standard Operating Policy (SOP) paperwork and cleaning records for each apheresis machine.
• Performs daily QC of essential equipment needed for procedures.
• Obtains and tracks Certificates of Analysis on all supplies used for collection procedures.
• Performs check in process per policy for all supplies received.
• Maintains product integrity and ensures proper identification of all donors.
• Maintains organization of departmental records, as needed.
• May participate in validation of new processes or new equipment.
• Reviews daily work for accuracy and recognizes and investigates the reason for potential discrepancies and unexpected results, resolving where appropriate.
• Reviews quality results and escalates issues and concerns.
• Seeks and develops opportunities to expand role in support of management and executive team, as needed. Takes initiative to seek additional tasks during downtime.
• Contributes to a team environment, which may include (but is not limited to) Versiti physicians, department management, nurses, support staff, and/or quality specialist, in order to provide a safe and positive donor experience.
• Support and demonstrate a customer service commitment to external and internal customers through adherence to Versiti customer service standards and processes.
• Support and demonstrate Versiti mission, vision, and values, as well as departmental goals.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
• Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
• Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma required
• equivalent required
• Training in blood banking, phlebotomy, EMT, LPN, apheresis technician, dialysis technician, RN student with a completed clinical in phlebotomy, or MLT required
• Associate's Degree health sciences (LPN or MT) preferred
• Bachelor's Degree health sciences (LPN or MT) preferred

Experience

• 1-3 years in blood banking, phlebotomy, EMT or health care field required
• Previous apheresis, cellular product processing, and whole blood collection experience preferred
• Related healthcare/medical office experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Standard Operating Procedures, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and other department manuals. required
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw/interpret bar graphs. required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. Typing skills required to prepare business correspondence and reports with speed and accuracy. required
• Ability to apply judgment to detailed but very structured written or oral instructions and to deal with problems involving concrete variable in standardized work procedures. required
• Work independently and with minimal supervision. required
• Be able and available to work a flexible working schedule as required based on volume and timing of blood collections. required
• Good customer service and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to work effectively with study subjects and sponsors, investigators, health care workers, and collaborating professionals required
• Effective verbal and written communication skills required
• Effective organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills with the ability to meet stringent deadlines required
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy of data related to laboratory results, subject health history, and data collection and reporting required
• Proficiency with data entry required
• Familiarity with regulations associated with human subject research preferred required
• Takes pride in and is committed to delivering high quality care required
• Works cooperatively and is a supportive member of the team required
• Acquires job skills and learns company policies and procedures to complete routine tasks required
• Typically encounters repetitive situations requiring choice of things learned. Asks questions as needed required

Licenses and Certifications

• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation within 180 Days required

Tools and Technology

• Personal Computer (desktop, laptop, tablet) required
• General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine) required
• Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required
• Smartphone required
• Spectra Optia Apheresis System required
• Sysmex Hematology Analyzer required
• Accessory equipment (IV pumps, blood warmers) required

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