Registered Nurse - Pathology Apheresis

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Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Job Summary:

This position is Monday - Friday, between the hours of 7:30am - 4:00 with

rotating call.

An apheresis nurse is a specialized registered nurse who performs apheresis — the process of removing blood from a patient or donor, separating its components, collecting one or more (such as plasma, platelets, white blood cells, or stem cells), and returning the rest to the patient.  This is used in both therapeutic treatments for conditions like blood cancers, autoimmune disorders, and sickle cell disease, and in donor programs for blood products.

Registered Nurses provide quality nursing services by working with the patient care team to assess, plan, implement, and
evaluate patients' care and by providing a positive, supportive environment. The Registered Nurse is the front-line
representative of the patient care team often serving as the intermediary between the patient and family, the provider(s),
and other care team members. This role is expected to: participate in performance improvement initiatives; maintain
professional competence; develop others; uphold confidentiality, safety, and professional standards; and support Shared
Governance through service on councils or sponsored activities.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Key Responsibilities

• Operate apheresis machines to separate and collect specific blood components
• Monitor patients during procedures, ensuring safety and comfort, and managing potential complications like citrate toxicity or low blood pressure
• Educate patients on the process, risks, and post-procedure care
• Collaborate with medical teams to coordinate treatments, including stem cell collection for transplantation
• Maintain aseptic technique and follow transfusion medicine protocols

Common Apheresis Procedures

• Plasmapheresis – removal/replacement of plasma (e.g., for autoimmune diseases)
• Leukapheresis – removal of white blood cells
• Erythrocytapheresis – red blood cell exchange (e.g., for sickle cell anemia)
• Photopheresis – treatment for T-cell lymphoma

Patient Care and Care Coordination: Monitors, examines, and evaluates the patients conditions. Assists with
the care plan and takes appropriate actions to promote the patients short/long-term outcomes and wellbeing.
Delivers care plan as outlined, applying independent judgment where appropriate. Collaborates with
and communicates patient care plans with other staff, as appropriate. Prioritizes and coordinates optimum
daily patient flow and patient experience. Delivers safe and effective care according to policies and
procedures. Maintains appropriate documentation of patient assessment, changes in condition, care
delivered, education provided, and any incidents or exceptions related to standards of care or compliance
with hospital policy.
Patient Advocacy and Satisfaction: Listens to concerns, probes in-depth to understand the needs and
concerns, and responds to patient needs in an appropriately timed manner. Serves as an educational
resource for patients and families on health-related issues. Communicates necessary patient information to
family, licensed care providers, and other staff. Embraces the concept of patient- and family-centered care
to maintain patient, family, staff, and physician satisfaction. Prioritizes actions according to patient needs and
provides input into the plan of care by reporting pertinent information involving the patient and family to the
appropriate individuals in accordance with confidentiality standards.
Performance Improvement: Seeks opportunities to improve the work environment and processes.
Contributes ideas to help identify solutions and supports change implementation. Supports and contributes
to improvement initiatives aligned with achieving better patient quality outcomes, patient satisfaction, staff
satisfaction, and organizational financial performance.
Professional Competency and Growth: Maintains professional licenses and certifications. Completes all
required training. Self-identifies and self-manages training and development opportunities. Is involved in
professional organizations. Keeps current with research literature and industry best practices. Seeks
opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
Professional Leadership: Fosters the growth and development of other nurses through mentorship and
preceptorship. Contributes to a positive and supportive work environment. Adheres to all confidentiality,
safety, and professional standards. Acts with professionalism embrace shared governance principles and
demonstrate integrity. Holds self and others accountable for practice by participating in the peer feedback
process. Positively promotes the nursing profession and assists with the recruitment of nurses to AU Health.
Other duties as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• Associates Nursing or Diploma (Nurse) Nursing or Bachelors Nursing-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor or BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support
• RN - Reg Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact

Dialysis or Apheresis experience preferred.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.