Blood Bank Specialist
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The Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) Specialist provides technical leadership and subject matter expertise within the IRL while performing advanced serologic testing to investigate complex antibody identification cases, resolve serologic discrepancies, and support the selection of compatible blood products for patient transfusion. This role supports laboratory operations, quality systems, regulatory compliance, scientific advancement, and customer service initiatives while fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence. The IRL Specialist serves as a technical resource to laboratory staff and frequently interacts with internal and external customers, requiring sound judgment, professionalism, diplomacy, and effective communication skills.
Just For You:
Free Parking!
Career advancement.
Engaging and exciting opportunity to SAVE LIVES.
Tips to thrive in our culture:
Embody our Core Values of Commitment, Integrity, and Respect
Work to actively create experiences that inspire others to save lives, each and every day.
Embrace doing it right, making connections, and creating desired experiences.
Comply with all organizational policies and standards, including safety rules, and be willing to report actual and potential violations to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
Provide technical leadership and guidance for daily IRL operations, ensuring effective workflow and timely resolution of complex serologic cases.
Evaluate the acceptability of patient samples, testing requests, and consultation referrals in accordance with established laboratory guidelines.
Receive specimens and orders, issue and return blood products, and ensure accurate documentation of all activities.
Coordinate the identification, reservation, and management of antigen-negative red blood cell units for patients with special transfusion requirements.
Monitor inventory levels of blood components, reagents, laboratory supplies, and reference materials to support uninterrupted laboratory operations.
Communicate effectively with hospitals, physicians, laboratory personnel, donors, and other stakeholders regarding patient requests, sample requirements, rare donor donations, and related services.
Prepare consultation reports and provide technical recommendations to support serologic problem resolution and transfusion management.
Maintain compliance with FDA, AABB, CAP, CLIA, OSHA, state, and organizational requirements governing laboratory operations.
Participate in proficiency testing, quality assurance activities, quality control review, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes.
Ensure accurate, complete, and timely documentation of laboratory procedures, testing activities, and results in accordance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
Perform and/or oversee quality control testing, preventive maintenance, and equipment performance monitoring.
Assist in validation and implementation of new methods, reagents, instrumentation, software systems, and process improvements.
Collaborate with laboratory leadership, Quality, Hospital Services, and external partners to support operational excellence, quality improvement, and customer service initiatives.
Promote adherence to organizational policies related to safety, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and ethical conduct.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, compliance, and service delivery.
Develop and implement testing strategies to investigate and resolve complex serologic problems.
Perform, interpret, and document advanced immunohematology testing, including antibody identification, compatibility testing, antigen typing, and related reference laboratory procedures.
Conduct antigen screening to identify antigen-negative blood products for patients with specific transfusion requirements.
Review and verify test results for technical accuracy, completeness, and clinical appropriateness.
Investigate and resolve serologic discrepancies, unusual findings, and complex transfusion support cases.
Troubleshoot testing issues, instrumentation problems, reagent performance concerns, and unexpected laboratory results.
Provide technical recommendations regarding compatible blood product selection and transfusion support.
Support the training, onboarding, and competency assessment of laboratory personnel.
Serve as a technical resource and mentor to technologists and laboratory staff.
Assist with internal and external educational programs, presentations, workshops, and professional development activities.
Prepare educational materials and laboratory samples for training and competency programs.
Maintain current knowledge of advances in immunohematology, transfusion medicine, and laboratory science through professional journals, continuing education, workshops, seminars, and professional organizations.
Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline required.
3-5 years of experience in blood banking, transfusion services, or an Immunohematology Reference Laboratory required.
Demonstrated experience performing complex antibody identification and advanced serologic investigations.
Experience interpreting complex immunohematology test results and providing transfusion support recommendations.
MT(ASCP), MLS(ASCP), BB(ASCP), or equivalent certification required.
• Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) certification.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Available to work overtime, weekends, holidays, as needed to support business operations.
Ability to stand, walk, lift 25 lbs, and perform repetitive tasks consistent with laboratory operations.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work performed in a clinical laboratory environment with exposure to biological materials and laboratory chemicals.
Who We Are:
Since 1975, Gulf Coast Blood has been one of the nation’s largest community blood centers, serving 170 hospitals across 26 counties. Headquartered in Houston, we support the world’s largest medical complex—the Texas Medical Center—while operating 18 donor centers and hosting more than 7,000 mobile blood drives each year. As an FDA-accredited nonprofit, we provide high-quality human cellular material for both scientific and therapeutic use.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
Gulf Coast Blood is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants for positions are considered without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, military status, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic testing results, or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable law, statute, regulation or Executive Order.