Therapeutic Nurse

LifeShare Blood Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or licensed Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team of blood collection specialists at our Shreveport donor center.  In accordance with physician orders and providing excellent customer service, the LPN/RN performs therapeutic blood component collection through apheresis procedures from donors.  The LPN/RN ensures donor safety during procedures, monitors for adverse reactions and provides post-procedure care.  The nurse works collaboratively as a member of the blood collection team, integrating LifeShare’s mission and values into daily decisions, behaviors and actions.

Essential Duties include:

• Manages care for patients undergoing clinical apheresis procedures and donor apheresis collections.
• Acts as a clinical consult to the ordering physician in the treatment planning process; coordinates and verifies physician orders to perform therapeutic apheresis procedures.
• Consults with Supervisor and/or Medical Director as necessary for clarification of orders, transfusion reactions and/or emergency situations.
• Assesses patient status to determine suitability for therapeutic procedures.
• Performs venipunctures and access central venous catheters.
• Supervises the apheresis technician assisting in the procedures.
• Monitors the patient status and instrument functions during the procedure, responds appropriately, and provides post-procedure care.
• Timely follows up on donor adverse reactions and donor injuries throughout the enterprise.  
• Maintains and reviews all required patient charts, to include preparing paperwork and supplies for therapeutic apheresis procedures, documenting the procedure and sending records to Medical Director as indicated by SOPs.
• Maintains instruments and equipment used in apheresis including maintenance, calibration verification, quality control and troubleshooting.

Please join us in our important mission to connect blood donors and the lives they impact!

Beginning rate of pay is $21 - 40/hr, commensurate with licensure and experience.  LifeShare offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance; employer base retirement and matching contributions to the retirement plan, and paid time off.

Work Environment/Requirements:

• Currently licensed to practice as an LPN/RN in the state of Louisiana
• At least 3 years of related work experience, including IV and central line training
• Must be familiar with or demonstrate ability to learn all FDA regulations governing blood banking and plasma centers, AABB standards, Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), OSHA regulations, and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
• Work involves potential exposure to infectious diseases from blood and blood products
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient/donor information at all times
• Ability to read and use a computer to enter and retrieve donor/patient data
• Valid driver's license, satisfactory driving record and insurable by LifeShare's auto insurance carrier

QUALIFICATIONS - KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:   

1. Current Louisiana nursing license (LPN/RN) required
2. Associate’s degree in related field, plus
3. At least three (3) years of related experience, including venipuncture, IV and central line, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties of the job.
4. Must be familiar with or demonstrate ability to learn all FDA regulations governing blood banking, AABB standards, OSHA regulations, and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
5. Must demonstrate a positive approach toward donors, technicians and other staff members, acting in a highly professional manner at all times.
6. Must be self-motivated, dependable, punctual, and have demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills.
7. Must be able to maintain confidentiality of donor information at all times.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORKING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT:

1. Work is generally performed in the donation center. 
2. Must be able to lift apheresis equipment and supplies up to 35 lbs., unassisted.  
3. Must be able to perform duties requiring standing or bending for long periods of time without relief.
4. Must be able to work with needles, scissors, blood bags, human blood and collection equipment and deal with stressful situations.
5. Work involves potential exposure to infectious diseases from blood and blood products.
6. May require operation of a Company vehicle for offsite procedures or meetings; must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable by our commercial auto insurance carrier.

The requirements and physical demands listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the ADA to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Salary : $21 - $40