Technical Specialist - Haemobank - Bloodworks : Job Details

Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska - partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based. We have an excellent new job opportunity for a Technical Specialist to join our Quality Systems team here at BloodworksNW. The incumbent this role will need to have specific responsibilities and possess a high level of primary expertise and/or Center of Excellence in one of these areas: Transfusion Services Laboratory Information Systems, Technical Development and Training, Equipment Management, Process Management, Reagent Management, Clinical Trials and Remote Allocation, with an expectation to serve as backup for each other from time to time. Provide technical expertise and leadership associated with the development and implementation of new and revised methods for the Transfusion Service Laboratory (TSL). Support departmental projects and participate in interdepartmental projects according to established priorities and timelines. Coordinate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) revisions and validations. Design, coordinate, and develop appropriate evaluations of new or revised methods to ensure changes are effective. Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a member of the leadership team:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate trust in each other and have assurance that issues discussed will be kept in confidence.
• Provide timely and honest feedback to team members regarding how the team functions.
• Challenge and offer support to peers to ensure each department/group is contributing to the success of the organization.
• Function effectively within the team and participate and contribute constructively to produce results in a collaborative manner
• Ensure the department's actions comply with laws, regulations, and Blood Center policies and practices.
• Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations, and follow safety procedures to minimize risk to self and nearby individuals.
• Responsibly support the department budget.
• Proactively recommend systems, resources, and procedures to achieve the department's success.
• Participate in internal and external audits and inspections, such as AABB and FDA inspections.

Within the department:

• Assist in setting department goals and objectives consistent with the Blood Center's mission.
• Consistently model values of Blood Center and coach for the same expectation; contribute and build upon current practices and procedures in support of values, mission, and goals.
• Ensure all applicable department documents and procedures are adhered to by staff and report discrepancies to department management.
• Participate in interviews and assess qualifications based on the needs of positions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Exhibit respect for others and help others willingly.

Technical Specialist - Center of Excellence: HemoBank/Remote Allocation:

• Manages Remote Allocation metrics, equipment inventory,
• Collaborates with Process Specialist and Information Technology Specialist on projects that intersect HemoBank, the BECS system, and blood products.
• Troubleshot Haemo Bank/Blood track errors/connection problems. Occ follow-up.
• Serves as Liaison to customer hospitals, BWNW I.T., and MSP for the Remote Allocation program
• Coordinates the Installation of HaemoBanks at new hospital sites
• Performs Validation of HaemoBanks at new hospital sites
• Provides Training on HaemoBanks at new hospital sites, as well as ongoing training for new staff at each site
• Assist with the Development and Revision of HaemoBank SOPs and job aids
• Assists in the development/revision of contracts with hospital sites
• Manages costs and contracts with secondary vendors (Haemonetics & MSP)
• Provides rotating on-call services for the RA program
• Manages Software updates/Hardware on the HaemoBanks
• Assists in the evaluation of inventory levels and the appropriate use of inventory for all HaemoBank Sites
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Medical Technologist or Medical Laboratory Technician, or Bachelor of Science degree in clinical laboratory science (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• MT(ASCP), MLT(ASCP), or similar certification preferred.
• Two years of relevant supervisory and/or team leadership experience preferred. Must maintain Transfusion Service skill proficiency, equivalent to a Technologist III level.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Required mental activities include the continual (≥81%) use of discretion, decision making, interpersonal skills, teamwork, customer service, and the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. Other required mental activities used less often include negotiation, independent judgment and/or independent action, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, creativity and the performance of basic math (all used frequently - 51-80%); and mentoring and training, the performance of basic programming and the performance of advanced math (all used occasionally - 21-50%).
• Required physical activities include the continual use of the hearing. Other required physical activities used less often include sitting, walking, talking, and repetitive motions of hands/wrists (all used frequently); standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, handling, and feeling (all used occasionally); and crawling, climbing, and repetitive motions of feet (all used rarely - 1-20%).
• The ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds is required, as is the ability to push up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to prioritize activities effectively and to continuously re-prioritize to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying workload.
• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform the necessary data entry.
• Ability to express ideas clearly in written and verbal communication.
• Intermediate level proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel required, expert level preferred.
• Intermediate level proficiency with Visio, MS Project, and MS PowerPoint preferred.
• Ability to comply with Bloodworks' Mandatory Vaccinations policy
• Requires the ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to the blood components being prepared for transfusion, or organs being transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing reagents, blood components being prepared, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices .
• Required mental activities involve continuous use of teamwork. Required mental activities used less frequently include interpersonal skills, and the ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English (all used frequently); decision making, creativity, customer service, independent judgment and/or independent action, the performance of basic mathematics, and the performance of accurate proofreading and correct spelling (all used occasionally); and the use of discretion, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, negotiation, mentoring, the performance of basic mathematics and programming, and the performance of advanced programming (all used rarely).
• Required physical activities include frequent standing, walking, talking, reaching, feeling, hearing, handling, and repetitive motions of hands/wrists. Required physical activities used less frequently include stooping, sitting, bending, and repetitive motions of feet (all used occasionally); and kneeling, crawling, and climbing (all used rarely).
• The ability to push, pull, and lift an average of 40 pounds throughout the day is required, as is the ability to carry an average of 20 pounds throughout the day.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Telecomuting is not offered in this role.
• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to meeting various regulatory agency and accrediting body rules and regulations. These may include, but are not limited to, the FDA, AABB, and CLIA.
• Job conditions to be expected include routine travel, occasional overtime, and on-call status (routine); heavy lifting, constant standing, extensive close and CRT work, and evening meetings (rare).
• Complete vaccination against COVID-19 (defined as two weeks after receiving the final vaccine dose) or an approved medical or religious exemption to the vaccine is a condition of this role.
• Ability to work scheduled on-call for up to 12 days each month.
• Bloodworks is a community-supported non-profit organization. As such, (from time to time) the incumbent can expect to work with volunteers.
• As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to donors and/or patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts and/or possibly at a different location during periods of inclement weather or other emergencies.
• Ability to work scheduled holidays and weekends.
• This position has direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Benefits and Perks: Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. Also able to participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 - 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus* Bloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.