Experienced Blood Bank Specialist (M-F, Days)

SHIFT: M-F, Days (no weekends)

General Description:  Under minimal supervision, performs routine and complex standardized clinical diagnostic tests in the blood bank.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position.  Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position. 

• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the hospital in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.   

• Assists supervisor with laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation.  

• Performs laboratory patient testing in a prompt and reliable manner according to established hospital and departmental policies.   

• Must also be able to teach others how to manage patient testing, QC and maintenance. 

• Serves as subject matter expert on blood banking and transfusion medicine.  

• Primary preceptor for all new hires staff and program students. Principal trainer for transfusion service and collaborates with nursing educators and TSO.  

• Competent to perform all testing and assess competency of others.   

• Assists staff with troubleshooting, area management and specimen issues.  

• Plans and schedules work area assignments.  

• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate us of PPE. 

• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the quality assurance officer in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.   

• Participates in laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation and performance improvement.  

• Documents deviations in RL solutions. 

• Performs immunohematology testing.   

• Processes and labels blood components and special blood components and pediatric aliquots. 

• Perform quality control procedures following authorized laboratory policy. Submits QC for review.  

• Maybe principal trainer for transfusion service or may be principal operator for blood bank instrumentation and interfaces. 

• Conducts team huddles and in-services. 

• Operates, calibrates and maintains instrumentation within scope of training and established protocols.  Documents completion of instrument maintenance and function checks. 

• Sets up new methodologies, develops procedural protocols.  Is a writer and reviewer for Blood Bank procedures. 

• Assumes responsibility of own professional development and acts as a mentor for others. 

• Calls critical notification values to appropriate clinical staff and documents those notifications in the electronic medical record. 

• Performs proficiency testing according to laboratory and regulatory requirements. May submit PT results to regulatory agency. 

• Participates in inventory management. 

• Completes annual competency assessment and is a qualified evaluator. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduate of MT/MLS/CLS/BB/SBB program  or  Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT) required.

Experience: 5 or more years of experience in blood bank required.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Nationally recognized certification through one of the following governing accreditations: ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Must have the skills to perform required laboratory testing.   

• Must be able to work as part of a team and follow instructions.   

• Must be able to consistently and dependably report to work as scheduled.   

• Must be able to maintain legible, accurate and organized records.   

• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and exercise sound judgment.   

• Must be able to multi-task and remain calm in stressful situations.   

• Must possess ability to understand various operations, policies and procedures.   

• Ability to work and communicate with co-workers and other caregivers, and meet their needs in a professional, polite, courteous, compassionate and cooperative manner. 

• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards establishing priorities and completing assignments. 

• Advanced knowledge of blood bank and transfusion medicine theory and practices.

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