Component Tech

Under direct supervision, prepares blood components from whole blood units, labels and records all
products prepared. Works under the supervision of the Supervisor or more senior-level Tech; however,
due to shift work, may work unsupervised at times.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Receives and prepares blood components from whole blood units using a centrifuge; manufactures
appropriate product based upon the needs of the organization and customers.
2. Labels and maintains all required records for all blood and blood components, frozen or unfrozen.
3. Performs required quality control on products and equipment.
4. Responds to equipment alarms and alerts and communicates to supervisor issues of concern.
5. May prepare all necessary paperwork and package donor blood samples for shipment to CTS or other
facilities for processing or testing.
6. Follows all policies and procedures issued by the Company, regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, OSHA,
AABB) and ensures compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).
7. Participates in various meetings, such as in-service training, continuing education programs, staff
meetings, and safety meetings.
8. Maintains, organizes, and cleans functional work area, equipment, and vehicles; reporting
malfunctioning equipment to supervisor as soon as detected.
9. Makes routine decisions pertaining to work duties as permitted under policies and procedures, referring
to the supervisor any issues which could possibly harm a donor or employee, cause adverse opinions of
the Center or the Company, or interfere with the operations of the department or Center.
10. Meets and exceeds customer expectations and adheres to established quality practices while seeking to
continually improve work performance.
11. Models LifeShare’s mission and values, integrating them into daily decisions, behaviors and actions.
12. Promotes cooperation and communication within a team to achieve Company and departmental goals
and deliverables.
13. Completes other assignments and duties as may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: 

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Must be dependable, punctual and have effective communication skills.
3. Strong attention to detail required.
4. Must demonstrate a positive approach toward customers and other staff members, acting in a highly professional manner at all times.
5. Must be able to maintain confidentiality of donor or patient information at all times.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

LEVEL II:  All of the above, plus

1. Requires 6 months of blood components processing experience in the LifeShare lab and meet or exceed all position competencies and departmental quality standards. 
2. Performs boxing, labeling, and shipping of recovered plasma and Grade B.

LEVEL III (Quality Control): 

1. Requires 12 months of blood components processing experience in the LifeShare lab or 2 years of external laboratory experience.
2. Calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots equipment.
3. Performs component manipulation and release for labeling blood products.
4. Equilibrates, samples, inoculates, and initiates documentation of platelet units for BacT culture screening.  Properly prepares, splits and labels platelet products based on qualification.
5. Assists with preparation and labeling of blood components as required to ensure timely processing of red blood cells and plasma products.
6. Applies unit and component holds in the computer to maintain effective control of blood products not meeting defined criteria or to identify need for additional testing or review, including dicard of positive test units.
7. Enusures products flagged as rare units are segregated from other products; as appropriate, releases hold on rare units for labeling, prepares and applies product labels, and relocates units to reference laboratory

LEAD COMPONENT TECH:  All of the above, plus:

1. Provides leadership and guidance of Component Tech I, II and III in the absence of Supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORKING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT:

1. Work is generally performed in a laboratory setting; requires routine presence in the lab.
2. Must be able to perform duties which require standing or bending for long periods of time without relief.
3. Must be able to work irregular hours, often in excess of 8 hours per day, week-ends and holidays.
4. Must be able to be "on call" on a regular basis and to return to work when required.
5. Must be able to work with needles, scissors, blood bags, human blood, and collection equipment and work in a fast paced environment.
6. Work involves potential exposure to infectious diseases from blood and blood products.