Transfusion Specialist APP - Hemovigilance Unit (HVU)

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center • Houston, TX, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

The hours for this position are Monday - Friday 5:30am - 7:20pm with rotating weekends and holidays. The ideal candidate will have hematology/acute care experience.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Monitor patients remotely for transfusion practice:
a. Responds appropriately to clinical alerts (e.g. deviation from blood ordering guidelines, signs/symptoms of possible transfusion reaction, inefficiencies in transfusion practice, questions about patient management related to blood products or laboratory evaluations) for all patients receiving transfusion or laboratory evaluation at MD Anderson.
b. Provides quality and responsible patient care and practices autonomously within the scope of professional nursing or physician assistant practice to help physicians, providers, nurses, and patients understand, navigate, and optimize transfusion processes and procedures at MD Anderson.
c. Suggests and/or provides treatment or management plan adjustments/additions for a specific patient within the scope of practice. This may include evaluating a patient, administering care, performing consults, documenting in electronic health records, and participating in capturing professional/technical billing related to such activities.
d. Appropriately consults with supervising physician (e.g. Transfusion Medicine Physician) for additional guidance as appropriate. Providers' clinical oversight and guidance for Electronic Health Nurse.
e. Follows all standard operating procedures, policies, and instructions as set by MD Anderson, the Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Transfusion Medicine, or supervising physician. Follows all processes recommended by the Division of Nursing, Office of Chief Medical Officer, Office of Chief Nursing Officer, or Chief Patient Safety Officer.
f. Uses comprehensive communication skills to communicate clinical concerns and relevant information between transfusion medicine physicians, laboratory staff, nursing, providers, and patients. Responds with accuracy and in accordance with all MD Anderson policies and procedures. While communication is primarily through electronic means (e.g. telephone, text, email, telemedicine), in-person communication with physicians, nurses, laboratory staff, and/or patients may be required if more effective in a situation.
g. Utilizes standard medical, legal disclaimers to ensure appropriate interpretation of professional role.
h. Renders timely, accurate documentation related to clinical duties performed. Follows all regulatory and accreditation standards adopted by MD Anderson, the Department of Laboratory Medicine, and the Section of Transfusion Medicine such as those mandated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act, US Food and Drug Administration, College of American Pathologists, American Association of Blood Banks, Joint Commission, and others.
i. Manages communication in difficult, challenging situations using effective communication skills to reduce anxiety and assuage frustration and convey necessary clinical expertise and knowledge.
j. Performs quality assurance audits on data related to transfusion practice or laboratory evaluation, engages providers/nurses/laboratory with additional clinical intervention if appropriate, and documents appropriately all findings and actions.
k. Provides education to the MD Anderson community members and patients related to transfusion medicine and laboratory evaluation.

Knowledge Acquisition and Management

a. Acquires and competently demonstrates core knowledge of cancer and MD Anderson resources, policies, and practices, efficiently utilizing internal databases and approved resources.
b. Seeks and maintains knowledge regarding relevant empirical outcomes, including the impact of quality improvement initiatives and institutional best practices for the patient populations, nursing workforce, and institutions metrics.
c. Successfully completed training in transfusion medicine, laboratory medicine, and related topics as established by supervising physicians.
d. Participates actively in all required continuing education requirements and demonstrates mastery and retention of content.
e. Masters use of computer and telephony equipment and software.
f. Reads new materials and information daily and integrates new knowledge into program operations.
g. Identifies program resource gaps and independently conducts research to address needs.
h. Uses experience and resource knowledge to proactively help colleagues respond to difficult patient management decisions, participates in change initiatives, and demonstrates loyalty and commitment to the interdisciplinary team. Evaluates team members weekly, quarterly, and yearly and assesses growth and development strategies. Encourages collaborative dialogue between providers, nursing, and laboratory.
i. Upon demonstration of competence and knowledge of program operation participates in new employee training and/or conduct continuing education programs.
j. Serves as a resource for understanding best practices related to transfusion medicine and laboratory evaluations and promotes to each team member and member of the MD Anderson community.
k. Performs quality checks with supervising physicians and provides feedback to the team and prepares reports when requested.

Customer Service and Quality Assurance

a. Assesses the information needs of each colleague by using active listening/motivational interviewing skills and presents a positive manner, shows interest, and responds in clear and timely patient focused needs.
b. Tailors appropriate response to each individual patient situation and integrates solutions to help meet needs and anticipated unspoken needs in line with current best practices related to transfusion medicine and laboratory evaluation.
c. Verifies that colleagues understand the information provided. Problem solves with colleagues to ensure needs for patient have been fully met and/or considered.
d. Contributes to total program quality assurance measures; incorporates new information or procedures into practice as adopted by the program.
e. Actively identifies new processes that could help improve quality and service excellence. Communicates to colleague in a reassuring and non-defensive manner and educates team members and other employees.
f. Utilizes performance feedback to refine quality of service provided, routinely assess communications of team members, and utilizes coaching skills suggests methods for improvement.
g. Seeks opportunities to broaden knowledge relevant to the Electronic Health Provider and Transfusion Medicine roles and healthcare through engagement in professional organizations and commitment to lifelong learning.
h. Demonstrates exemplary clinical practice incorporates new knowledge and innovation and instructs others in best practices.

Team Involvement and Personal Leadership

a. Leads project teams.
b. Participates fully in MD Anderson, Division, Department, and Section activities.
c. Engages with interdisciplinary programs and initiatives from other Divisions at MD Anderson.
d. Contributes to creative problem-solving; evaluates progress and identifies and/or reports obstacles/barriers.
e. Leads team or departmental activities, including staff meetings, as assigned.
f. Adheres to MD Anderson, Division, Department, Section, Unit, and other applicable policies and procedures.
g. Adheres to a just culture by holding self and staff members accountable.
h. Participates in yearly evaluation and professional development processes for self and others.
i. Strengthens practice, builds strong relationships and develops partnerships to improve client outcomes.

Other duties as assigned

Master's degree. Degree requirements as defined by the TSBPAE or TSBNE, as required for clinical licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant. Current license and/or certification as defined by the TSBPAE or TSBNE as required for clinical licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN or ACNP or ACNPC or ACAGNP or AGACNP or ACNPC-AG or AGACNP or AGNP or ACPNP or ANP or AGNP or AGPCNP or FNP or GNP or PNP or PMHNP or WHNP or APNP) or Physician Assistant or Current State of Texas Professional Nursing license (RN). Related authorization must be consistent with clinical practice area and patient population. Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.