Registered Nurse

Position: Registered Nurse - Contract
Registered Nurse (Medical Apheresis)
Houston, TX 77054
Contract

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Reporting to the Nurse Manager of Medical Apheresis, this role is responsible for performance of apheresis procedures on donors, patients, and biotherapy research participants, while following specific protocols. Applies nursing care with patient and donors to maintain safety and comfort. Responsible for appropriate maintenance of apheresis associated equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may be assigned. Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Oversees, evaluates, performs and documents leukapheresis procedures according to policy/procedure.
• Assists in the development and review of new procedures and policies pertaining to the Medical Apheresis program and clinical trials.
• Performs general nursing duties, phlebotomy, peripheral IV and CVC care, administration of medication, performance and monitoring of injections of mobilizing agent injections for PBSC donors, as necessary.
• Evaluates and maintains technical procedures and policies as appropriate to the Medical Apheresis program.
• Communicates with physicians regarding donor/patient status.
• Responsible for remaining current on national standards and trends in apheresis and making departmental process change suggestions.
• Assists in orienting and training other staff members.
• Maintains adequate knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, pharmaceuticals, and essential laboratory tests.
• Adheres to policies, procedures and standards within regulatory compliance, budgetary specifications, including time management, productivity, and accuracy of practice; ensures an adequate supply inventory.
• Maintains all records required by AABB, FDA, FACT and other accrediting agency or vendor standards, including procedure/patient care data forms.
• Performs quality control, validations, scheduling preventative maintenance and daily quality checks of all equipment in the Medical Apheresis area.
• Responsible for obtaining donor-informed consent.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Safety
Must not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or others. Must comply with all applicable safety rules and policies and be willing to report actual and potential safety violations to the appropriate supervisor or manager.

Attendance
Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined in the Client's sole discretion.
Regular Hours
Full time:
Must be regularly available to work at least 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, or such other days or hours per week as the Client determines are necessary to meet business needs.
On Call
Must be available to be "on call" as required.
Overtime (applicable only to non-exempt positions)
Must be available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Client determines is necessary or desirable to meet business needs.
Weekend and Holidays
Must be available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the Client determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Graduate of accredited School of Professional Nursing with current RN license in good standing. Minimum of 3 years of recent direct patient care nursing experience, preferably in an acute-care setting. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in vascular access devices (hemodialysis catheters) and care. Proficiency in peripheral intravenous access is required. Prior RN experience in apheresis and/or acute/chronic dialysis is preferable but not required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Current unrestricted Texas RN license or current compact RN license. Certified in Basic Life Support or ACLS(Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence, independently. Ability to communicate effectively with patients, patients' families, physicians, and other caregivers. Able to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to react appropriately to a critical situation. Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or…