Component Specialist | Blood Bank | Part-time (32hrs.) | Nights

Overview

Location: UF Health Shands Hospital

1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608

Schedule: Varies | Night Shift

Employment Type: Part-Time (32hrs. per week)

Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Manufactures and labels blood and blood components; performs routine laboratory clerical procedures; accessions, distributes and prepares specimens for analysis; dispense blood products; monitors and maintains blood component inventory; orders and restocks supplies.

Responsibilities

• Modifies blood products:
• Pulls correct product and type from storage.
• Compares instructions in Blood Bank Information System (BBIS) to order. If discrepancies, or if substitute product is required, contacts physician or nurse for instructions.
• Modifies blood products according to FDA and AABB regulations. Performs the following functions accurately and with careful attention: irradiation, splitting, aliquotting, thawing, pooling, washing, volume reduction, filtering, etc. Maintains product sterility and product identification throughout the procedure.
• Attaches required labels to the modified product(s) and enters modifications into BBIS, according to established regulatory and departmental guidelines. Changes product expiration date according to FDA protocols.
• Dispenses blood to patient care areas (final Blood Bank quality check prior to transfusion to ensure patient safety):
• Verifies physician order
• Pulls correct unit(s) from storage and checks that all labels and tags are attached
• Checks that blood product labels match dispense record
• Dispenses blood products in BBIS. Ensures that no error flags are observed indicating patient special needs have not been met; otherwise returns blood to technologist for resolution.
• Issue blood products to the patient care area (courier)
• If required, prepares transport cooler according to department protocol to maintain product at proper temperature according to regulatory standards.
• Ensures autologous and/or directed units are dispensed if available
• Accurately fills physician orders and enters component data into BBIS, including all required dates and times, component status, special attributes, etc. Contacts physician or nurse to clarify orders or to provide product availability information.
• Evaluates patient specimens for acceptability (correct tube type, volume, label, etc.). Determines if there is a Major or Minor specimen identification error and resolves problems with patient care areas. Accessions patient specimens into BBIS. Communicates clearly with physicians, other patient care providers, and med techs regarding all phases of product ordering, preparation, and distribution.
• Performs pre-analytical procedures including centrifugation and aliquotting, processing and storing specimens, blood products and reagents for analysis, release, or for Quality Control.
• Receives and triages all packages and shipments.
• Receives blood and blood products from blood supplier (LifeSouth) and manufacturers. Stores products according to specific protocol. Logs blood products into BBIS, including special attributes (CMV, irradiation, directed or autologous)
• Receives supplies, reagents, and other items. Checks for outdates and attaches appropriate labels. Stores appropriately.
• Determines daily inventory needs for blood products and orders appropriate products from blood supplier. Ensures appropriate inventory is on hand for special procedures (e.g., liver transplants). Identifies short dated products and initiates appropriate actions to reduce wastage.
• Performs daily, weekly and other periodic and ad hoc Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance activities, including:
• Checking temperatures of all heated and cooled devices, as appropriate. Reviewing temperature control charts, notifying Johnson Controls / Engineering of problems, and documenting corrective actions. If unsatisfactory storage conditions exist, takes appropriate action to ensure products are maintained properly.
• Performing periodic (daily, weekly, monthly) maintenance on specific component equipment, documenting all actions, Page and initiating corrective actions as needed.
• Performing periodic quality control of blood products. Documents results and corrective actions. Products that fail quality control are discarded appropriately.
• Adhere to Shands general standards of conduct and work rules.
• Uphold all policies and regulations of Shands
• Treat all information concerning patients and hospital business in a confidential manner
• Report to work as scheduled in fit condition to perform duties
• Complete mandatory in-services prior to due date
• Performs miscellaneous functions, including:
• billing
• printing and distribution of test reports
• quarantining and disposing of unsuitable products
• filing and other clerical duties

Qualifications

Education

Required: High School graduate or equivalent

Experience

• Required: Minimum 3 months full-time experience processing samples using laboratory equipment
• Preferred: Clinical or hospital-based experience. Previous computer operational skills using a personal computer, laboratory system or other hospital information system.

Motor Vehicle Operator Designation

Employees in this position will not operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose