Registered Nurse - RN - Apheresis

Purpose and Scope

The Apheresis RN spends 80% or more of their time providing Apheresis treatments and direct patient care in accordance with company policies and procedures, including FMCNA compliance programs and contracted hospitals' policies. Areas of practice include therapeutic plasma exchange, RBC exchange and depletion, PLT and WBC depletions, PBSC and WBC collections, Photopheresis, and LDL apheresis. The Apheresis RN partners with the hospital or outpatient facility to provide quality care and a positive patient experience.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency apheresis treatments and other extra-corporeal therapies in assigned hospitals or outpatient locations, establishing priority of care.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue prescribed treatments and medications according to established policies and procedures.
• Give organized, concise shift reports for assigned patients.
• Apply high-level thinking to patient schedules to meet the needs of more critical patients due to labs, MD orders, availability of access/replacement products, or patient assessment.
• Ensure adequate coverage of patient treatments and customer needs through appropriate scheduling.
• Travel outside the regional area as necessary to help cover patient treatments.
• Maintain a safe environment by following universal infection control precautions in patient care and equipment handling.
• Maintain current knowledge of therapeutic apheresis advancements by completing apheresis LMS modules.
• Assess patients' responses to therapeutic apheresis and make appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the physician.
• Communicate problems or concerns to the Inpatient Program Manager, physician, hospital primary nurse, and others as indicated.
• Assess patients pre-, during, and post-treatment to detect mild, moderate, and severe apheresis and non-apheresis related complications, notifying appropriate hospital personnel.
• Implement, administer, monitor, and document patient response to prescribed treatment modality, including notification of adverse reactions to physician and blood supplier.
• Report all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to applicable Apheresis Managers and/or hospital personnel, tracking and documenting adverse events per Variance Reporting guidelines.
• Accurately document treatment information in the patient's record (ACES) and hospital record as needed.
• Complete appropriate training programs to deliver specific patient care to a variety of patients.
• Utilize principles of growth and development to assess patient status and provide recommendations for the plan of care.
• Implement physician's orders and follow through appropriately.
• Ensure patient confidentiality.
• Assist in the evacuation of patients in the event of emergency, fire, or disaster according to policy.
• Perform equipment preventative maintenance date confirmations, clean and disinfect machine surfaces, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation of apheresis treatments or collections and document where appropriate.
• Set up, monitor, and discontinue use of apheresis equipment, blood warmer, and other related equipment according to standard operating procedures.
• Assist with inventory control according to corporate and department policy, manufacturer recommendations, and regulatory guidelines.
• Manage and maintain supply inventory efficiently and cost-effectively, documenting all inventory control.
• Perform required pre-treatment apheresis machine alarm testing and document information and equipment maintenance according to policy.
• Operate related equipment appropriately and safely, provide minor troubleshooting, and utilize supplies efficiently to prevent waste.
• Conduct and document apheresis machine safety tests, alarm tests, equipment calibration, functional testing, and internal/external disinfection per FMCNA policies.
• Maintain a safe, neat, and adequately stocked supply and equipment area.
• Report all equipment and supply problems to repair personnel.
• Complete and document ongoing participation in QAI activities.
• Report all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the Inpatient Program Manager and other parties per Adverse Event Reporting requirements.
• May be assigned to other in-patient care on an as-needed basis.
• Act as a resource for other staff members.
• Participate in staff meetings, mandatory continuing education, staff training, and orientation as assigned.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, supervisors, hospital staff, coworkers, patients, and families.
• Recognize and utilize opportunities for patient and family education specific to individual and family needs.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with all company and hospital staff members to ensure effective and efficient treatments.
• Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Position requires on-call rotation including night, day, weekend, and holidays. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be potential for exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials. Position provides direct patient care which regularly involves heavy lifting, moving of patients and/or equipment > 200-lbs (with mechanical assistance). Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Supervision

None.

Education

Current appropriate state licensure. Must meet the practice requirements in the state in which employed. Certification in Apheresis Nursing is highly encouraged. Peripheral vein cannulation abilities preferred. Maintains acquired knowledge and remains current in advancements of therapeutic apheresis relative to inpatient care for hospitalized patients requiring varied treatment modalities.

Experience and Required Skills

One year of RN experience required. One year of Apheresis or ICU/CCU/ED experience preferred. Demonstrated strong assessment skills related to the critically ill patient. Successful completion of competency training course in theory and practice of Therapeutic Apheresis and related procedures. BLS CPR Recognition. ACLS CPR Recognition preferred, but not required. Demonstrates organizational and time management skills and a competency toward completing continuing and ongoing apheresis education. Displays leadership skills and ability to direct and supervise others (such as Technical and Clerical Staff). Valid driver's license.