The posting
We have an excellent opportunity for part-time Hospital Inventory Specialist I positions to join our team at Bloodworks Northwest. Serve as a primary Customer Service Representative to multiple customers while processing orders for blood components. Recommend component substitutions to maximize overall blood inventory utilization. Arrange shipping logistics and transportation in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines.
Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Hospital Inventory Specialist I:
Consolidate and organize blood components by blood type and expiration Date into a first-in, first-out inventory system to maximize utilization of blood resources. Receive, prioritize, and expedite emergency and routine blood orders from multiple customers, including but not limited to regional hospitals, resource-sharing customers, and other internal Bloodworks laboratories. Perform electronic data entry to capture all critical processing steps. Document all critical processing information manually when the computer cannot generate records. Perform manual entry of required regulatory information into departmental forms in accordance with Bloodworks' Quality Policies and Procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Maximize utilization of available blood resources by selecting appropriate blood components (based on blood type and expiration dates) to fill customer orders. Communicate to customers, based on established criteria, acceptable product substitutions resulting from inventory limitations.
Serve as a liaison between external customers and Bloodworks medical staff regarding patient care and regulatory issues. Communicate pertinent information and problems pending resolution to the Supervisor and staff person(s) assigned to the next shift. Inspect for suitability and label routine platelet components with the appropriate ABO/Rh type. Inspect and electronically accept imported blood components into the Bloodworks inventory. Operate computer systems relevant to the work performed in the department at this level, including: BBCS Rees Centron software Microsoft Office PC applications Crystal Reports Viewer (BusinessObjects) software ETQ Reliance software BloodHub software WellSky(Providence System software)
Package blood components for Blood Services Hospitals, out-of-region customers, and Bloodworks satellite laboratories, following appropriate regulatory guidelines for product stability. Arrange transportation logistics for routine blood deliveries to local, regional, and resource-sharing customers. Recommend the most suitable transportation options for STAT and ad hoc orders to meet customer needs while managing Bloodworks expenses effectively. Coordinate the distribution of outgoing blood components and samples from the Portland site to a variety of laboratories at the Bloodworks Central facility, donor collection facilities, and other Bloodworks locations and departments. Support the department's mission by providing exceptional customer service. This is done by demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: Telephone communication skills, demonstrating a professional attitude Knowledge and support of other Bloodworks departments Transferring phone calls Contacting the Bloodworks Physician On-Call (POC) Comprehension of Bloodworks blood component return & credit policies Comprehension of Bloodworks product substitution policies Understanding of, and diplomacy in, reducing hospital orders when needed Comprehension of FDA regulations/GMPs for customer inquiries on regulatory issues Thorough understanding of various transportation options, including schedules and costs Diplomacy and tact in dealing with challenging customers and situations Coordinate requests for rare blood units and secondary processing of blood components unavailable on site. Coordinate and document the follow-up to regulatory look-back notifications (blood product recalls) for blood components issued to regional hospitals, out-of-region customers, or to inventory located within the Portland Branch. Support Providence Health & Services with automated batch-type confirmation of Red Cells, where qualified. Monitor and proactively oversee inventory levels for the Portland Branch and Providence Health & Services hospital blood banks; coordinate and transfer inventory to meet each location's optimal needs. Operate equipment, perform quality checks, and conduct periodic maintenance. Assess returned blood components for acceptability, electronically document return of components to Bloodworks inventory, and rotate components into appropriate inventory based on expiration dates to maximize blood resource utilization. Evaluate attribute codes to quarantine or discard components electronically. Store quarantined blood components appropriately, and electronically discard and dispose of unusable blood components. Respond to and document temperature alarms on blood storage equipment for the Rees Temperature Monitoring System. Report incidents involving unusual circumstances or failure to follow standard operating procedures. Take the equipment "out of service" for repair in accordance with appropriate procedures. Document manual temperature readings for storage equipment as needed. Perform periodic lab cleaning and manage biohazard waste storage and removal. Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written. Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience preferred. Two years of college education or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. In addition, one year of experience (each) in at least two of the following areas: One year of experience in the blood banking industry One year of experience in shipping, receiving, and distribution One year of experience in receiving telephone orders and providing customer service
Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:
Ability to perform high-level communication with physicians and clinicians in a stressful environment. Ability to work independently and unsupervised in meeting the required deadlines and workload of internal and external customers. Ability to perform accurate, expedited computer order entry and produce distribution reports. Ability to work in a team-oriented environment. Lifting, carrying, and pushing requirements:
The Ability to lift and carry a maximum of 60 pounds is required
Frequent lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds
Manual dexterity sufficient to perform frequent data entry is required as a basic function of this position. The Ability to remain on task amid multiple audio and visual distractions is required, as is the Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Requires the Ability to comprehend the criticality of the blood components being prepared for transfusion, the dollar value of blood components being handled, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices in all work activities. Required mental activities include continuous use of decision-making, interpersonal skills, teamwork, customer service, and the Ability to read, speak, and comprehend English. Other required mental activities include discretion, negotiation, independent judgment and/or independent action; the Ability to write in English; and the ability to perform basic mathematics and problem analysis. Other mental activities required include the Ability to follow production and shipping standard operating procedures, ensuring component safety, quality, identity, potency, and purity (SQuIPP) of components while performing a wide variety of repetitive tasks in a moderately noisy, high-volume shipping setting. Required physical activities include continuous standing, walking, bending, lifting, talking, hearing, reaching, handling, feeling, and repetitive hand/wrist and foot motions. Other required physical activities include stooping (frequently), kneeling (occasionally), and sitting (rarely).
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Heavy lifting and constant standing are common job conditions.
As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to 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 emergency operations. Refer to Human Resources policy or department supervisor for more information.
Incumbent must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts as assigned. Telecommuting is not offered in this role.
This position involves direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
SHIFT: Thursday & Friday 1330-2200 (8); Saturday 1000-2030 (10); 26 hours weekly. 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. Employees can also participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), a consolidated paid leave program (4.8–6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), a subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus* *Conditions apply
