Transfusion Safety Clinical Specialist

Join UChicago Medicine, as a Transfusion Safety Clinical Specialist in our Center for Clinical Professional Practice

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Support our patients and staff by developing systems and practices that reinforce transfusion safety through policy development, staff training, safety reviews, and utilization review.

While our ideal candidate will have transfusion safety experience, nurses with quality and safety experience and/or project management backgrounds should apply.

This individual provides clinical leadership and expertise in implementing and managing transfusion practices utilizing evidence-based standards and careful stewardship of resources to promote the appropriate use of blood products and their alternatives. 

Essential Job Functions

• Develops curriculum and, in some cases, provides training to physicians, nurses, technologists, and patients/families on evidence-based transfusion practices and the benefits, risks, and alternatives of blood transfusions. 
• Utilizes quality improvement tools (including LEAN, root cause analysis, and FMEA) to improve blood transfusion safety, including the review and investigation of Patient Safety Reports related to blood utilization. 
• Works collaboratively with Nursing Councils, Blood Bank Medical Director, Blood Transfusion Committee, and Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee to develop, implement and review policies and procedures to effectively and safely use blood and blood components in compliance with regulations and accreditation standards.
• Collaborates with nursing, medical, pharmacy, and technical personnel to identify, implement, and evaluate various blood conservation strategies. Works collaboratively to implement best practices throughout the organization.
• Collects & distributes blood utilization data (including blood use, blood waste, transfusion reactions, benchmark data, individual chart reviews, bringing issues to the attention of the Blood Bank Medical Director or Transfusion Committee Chair.
• Conducts audits related to blood utilization and investigates utilization trends as appropriate. Serve as the content expert when information needs require additional support from analytics teams such as Laboratory Decision Support, Quality Analytics, or the Clarity Team.

 Required Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in nursing is required
• 3-5 years of previous job-related experience required
• Eligible for Board Certification
• Current Illinois RN License
• Requires comprehension of transfusion risks, benefits & alternatives; knowledge of regulations & accreditation standards related to blood transfusion; knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for the appropriate use of blood products; expertise in transfusion administration & patient monitoring practices
• Knowledge and application of change management and program development
• Knowledge and application of research and best practice principles
• Demonstrated success with project management

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree strongly preferred
• 6-10 years of job-related experience preferred

 Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-time
• Shift: Day, Monday – Friday
• Unit/Department: Clinical Practice and Research
• CBA Code: Non-Union