GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

BWH Pathology

Under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager, Blood Donor Center, the Donor Program Technician I preforms donor registration, screenings, whole blood collection, therapeutic phlebotomies, and automated platelet collections. Responsible for the performance of donor room procedures under the direction of the charge nurse and follows Standard Operating Procedures. Able to balance production, donor care and quality requirements to meet annual blood collection goals. The donor program technician I complies with AABB standards, FDA regulations and other regulatory agency guidelines.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interviews donors to determine eligibility according to the donor selection criteria of the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The selection procedure is to include the medical history and physical examination.

2. Conducts a medical history and physical examination that includes pulse, blood pressure, temperature, a vein check, and blood sample to perform a point of care test to measure hemoglobin.

3. Provides the donor with opportunity to ask questions and provides explanation to assure donor understanding.

4. Follows established criteria for the temporary/permanent deferral of donors to prevent inadvertent collection from a donor who is ineligible. Refers problems or questions of donor suitability to the charge nurse or Medical Director.

5. Obtains and/or documents Informed Consent of a blood or apheresis donor prior to collection; explains elements of donation procedure including information on risks of procedure and tests performed.

6. Performs whole blood collection using established sterile technique in preparation of phlebotomy site.

7. Performs platelet pheresis collection using the Trima Accel apheresis system.

8. Maintains continuity of donor identification by carefully labeling of all collection bags and pilot tubes and assuring volume collected is appropriate.

9. Observes donors/patients for adverse reactions and takes appropriate action.

10. Collects blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and point of care test for hemoglobin prior therapeutic phlebotomies and follows order parameters per ordering providers.

11. Performs therapeutic phlebotomies according to departmental Standard Operating Procedures.

12. Performs daily quality control, including daily scale calibration and other equipment used in the selection and collection process. Responsible for the documentation and corrective action as needed.

13. Accurately performs the following functions in Lifetrak; donor registration, health histories, physical exam findings, product linking, phlebotomy data, and product ship out for both donor room products and stem cell collections.

14. Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of necessary supplies for the Donor Center and Off-Site Mobile Blood Drives. Puts supplies away and rotates older supplies to be used first.

15. Employee may be assigned to work on mobile blood drives at locations throughout Massachusetts and must have access to transportation to blood drive locations.

16. Transports blood products to the blood bank.

17. Follows all safety and infection control policies, maintains a clean work area, and performs other duties as required at the Donor Center and Off-Site Mobile Blood Drives.

18. Always maintains professional image and is a team player.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent

2. Medical Assistant with phlebotomy experience or Phlebotomist training course or program required.

3. Experience of working in a blood donor center desirable.

4. Flexibility in scheduling to meet the needs of the department; including day, evening, and weekend shifts as well as being assigned to the blood mobile.

5. Staff are required to work every other weekend.

6. Excellent customer service skills

7. Experienced phlebotomy skills

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1. Flexible in scheduling to meet needs of department.

2. Demonstrates good judgment and seeks out guidance with questions.

3. Exceptional English-speaking verbal communication skills. Bilingual desired.

4. Attention to detail and thorough completion of assigned tasks.

5. Interacts courteously and effectively with donors, patients, co-workers, physicians, other hospital personnel and outside contacts.

6. Neat and orderly work habits.

7. Ability to remain calm and efficient in stressful situations.

8. Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

9. Able to work in a fast-paced environment

10. Basic computer skills

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Donor Room and Off-Site Mobile Blood Drive environments.

2. Exposure to potentially infectious specimens.

3. Frequent standing, walking, bending required to perform procedures.

4. Moderate amount of lifting and carrying of equipment/supplies weighing 10-50 pounds.

5. Able to provide assistance to patient/donor in treatment of reactions. Provides physical support to patients to lie down or sit up.