Cord Blood Consenter

SUMMARY:
Responsible for recruiting, obtaining consent and confirming demographic eligibility of mothers interested in donating their babies’ umbilical cord blood to the State of Arizona’s public cord bank for transplantation and research. Arranges for the collection of maternal samples and coordinating the transportation of the samples under the direction of the Cord Blood Nurse Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Educates potential donor mothers about the cord blood donation program and recruits their participation. 

Administers patient interviews and completes medical screening documents to determine program eligibility in pregnant women.

Obtains informed consent for collection, testing and use of cord blood.

Coordinates cord and maternal sample collections and arranges for transportation for processing.

Collects and/or facilitates drawing of maternal blood samples.

Assembles and manages collection kits, ensuring supply and tracking with log numbers and expiration dates.

Manages collection inventory, including closely monitoring and tracking lot numbers.

Maintains collection cart and required supplies and ensures collection area and cart are kept clean and stationary. 

Manages all donor charts to ensure documentation is complete.

Coaches physicians on ways to get the most volume at the time of collection.

Follows all quality control/assurance and safety protocols for handling cord blood products and completing associated documentation.

Utilizes various computer systems and databases to enter data and complete donor mother and donor infant records.

Works well as a team member with hospital staff.

Completes duties and assignments in a timely fashion with minimal supervision.

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

EXPERIENCE:  Two (2) years experience in a laboratory, hospital and/or labor & delivery. Basic understanding of blood bank concepts, sterility and cell therapy preferred. Bilingual (English/Spanish) capabilities required.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Written proof of completion of recognized Medical Assistant course preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of patient care protocols and practices.

• Knowledge of general patient care practice, methods and regulations.

• Knowledge of patient privacy regulations.

• Skill in attending to patients with care and attention to needs.

• Skill in assisting with more complex patient care programs.

• Ability to recognize a patient in distress and follow directions to get assistance.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.

• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.

• Ability to speak effectively in front of doctors, nurses, staff and the general public.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.

• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.