HARRIS BLANZA SEGUNDO, RMT, MLS(ASCPI)

Blood Bank and Transfusion Services

• Comply with the blood bank standards and safety protocols, follow the testing procedures and ensure quality assurance across all tasks
• Clean and disinfect the work bench, instrument and equipment and ensure temperature monitoring for freezers and refrigerators
• Do blood inventory, ensure that blood stocks are in-date, organized by blood group and arranged according to expiry dates. Update in the HIS for the consumption of transfused blood
• Check and perform machine maintenance to the lab equipment to verify proper functioning.
• Perform equipment troubleshooting within authorized limits and report to the supervisor for any issues related to equipment fault. Check for common and unusual problems as well as the potential sources of error. Perform corrective action and document.
• Verify internal quality controls before patient testing and release of patient reports
• Perform routine blood bank testing procedures according to standards such as indirect Coombs test, direct Coombs test, ABO/Rh, Rh/ Kell phenotyping, antibody identification and titration
• Ensure adequate supply of blood and blood components at all times in the blood bank, maintain adequate stock and request blood from the supplier when inventory levels are at minimum level
• Receive blood units, record the date/time, check for the shipping condition to ensure that temperature is within acceptable limits and perform visual inspection to the blood units.
• Verify agreement of information between the blood units and the safety certificates and ensure that the blood is negative for all serology tests. Perform ABO/ Rh confirmation, ensure acceptability of blood units and document results.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of blood in such a manner that they retain their maximum potency and safety.
• Perform corrective action for unacceptable cases
• Ensure that all pre-transfusion testing procedures are done before the blood and blood components are issued for transfusion.
• Review patient history. Ensure consistency between patient's current and historical records. Compare current ABO/Rh with historical results, check for history of antibodies and compare with the current antibody screening, special requirements or severe reactions. When there is no patient historical records available in the computer system , a second sample collected at a different phlebotomy is requested for blood group confirmation
• Ensure correct specimen requirements, positive identification of patient's blood sample, verify sample labels, and do corrective actions as required.
• Perform pre-transfusion testing which includes determination of the patient's forward and reverse ABO group, Rh D type and detection and identification of unexpected antibodies to red cell antigens
• Ensure proper selection of blood and blood components for cross-match and preparation of blood components for patients such as neonatal transfusion and for those with special requirements
• Do compatibility testing of donor's blood with the recipient's serum by immediate spin if no clinically significant antibodies detected in the antibody screen and there is no record of previous detection of such antibodies
• Select an antigen negative blood unit and perform full crossmatch by AHG for patients with currently detectable or previously identified clinically significant antibodies.
• Ensure prompt communication of critical results to concerned staff/ physician for immediate intervention.
• Report and perform investigation in cases of blood transfusion adverse reactions
• Follow emergency transfusion protocols and procedures for the release of blood in cases of blood shortage especially for Rh negative units
• Comply with the blood bank standards for the issue and release blood and blood components for transfusion
• Perform therapeutic phlebotomy adherence to Blood Bank procedures and safety standards
• Testing of CAP PT samples and do evaluation & corrective action as required
• Do regular checks on reagent and supply levels, restocking of low-stock reagents and inform the supervisor to enable continuity of test performance

Hematology

• Ensure quality assurance and machine maintenance in all Hematology and Coagulation Analyzers before patient testing
• Run patients' samples from in-patient and out-patient clinics for complete blood count and reticulocytes in hematology analyzers such as DxH 900 of Beckmann Coulter, XN 1000 of Sysmex
• Prepare blood smears for abnormal test results, stain the slides using Sysmex staining machine
• Perform routine hematology testing procedures such as CBC, reticulocyte count, sickle cell screening, G6PD screening test, ESR and malaria by rapid test kit
• Perform coagulation tests such as PT, PTT, fibrinogen and D-Dimer in Stago Machines such as STA R MAX and STA compact.
• Perform equipment troubleshooting, resolving malfunctions, test functionality and performance
• Verifies abnormal results to pathologist
• Ensures prompt communication of critical results to concerned staff/ physician

Chemistry

• Ensures quality assurance and machine maintenance before patient testing
• Performs patient testing for routine and special tests such as lipid profile, renal function tests, liver function tests, cardiac markers, thyroid function tests, beta HCG and other hormonal assays using fully automated procedures like cobas pro integrated solutions
• Verify abnormal results and report critical results to concerned staff/ physician

Clinical Microscopy and Parasitology and Microbiology

• Perform QC before testing of patient samples. Apply adequate control for each test component to assure reactivity
• Performs physical, chemical, and microscopic analysis for urine in analyzers such as Cobas u601 ands Cobas u701
• Verify abnormal results by microscopic examination of urine to ensure accuracy
• Perform microscopic examination of stool for the detection of cysts, ova and parasites
• Testing stool samples for occult blood, H. pylori, rotavirus and adenovirus
• Perform inoculation of microbiology samples in specific culture medium according to sample requirements.
• Do influenza and RSV rapid testing

Serology

• Do latex testing such as CRP, ASO, WIDAL, IM test and Brucella
• Perform viral screening (HBV, HIV, HCV) and hepatitis B profile testing
• Perform infectious disease testing for TORCH IgG and IgM, Syphilis RPR, Syphilis TPHA, TREp Abs immunoassay
• Perform autoimmune serology such as ANA, A-CCP, DSDNA IgG, cardiolipin antibodies, gliadine antibodies, SSA antibodies
• Handle machines such as ADVIA CENTAUR XPT by SIEMENS, LIAISON XL DIASORIN, VIRCLIA- VIRCELL, DIASORIN ETI MAX 3000 ELISA

Phlebotomy/ Specimen Collection

• Follow safety and infection control procedures in the phlebotomy area
• Ensure review of the test procedure to consider correct specimen type, appropriate collection container and time requirements
• Compliance to hand hygiene procedures before performing phlebotomy procedures
• Ensure correct patient identification. Adherence to positive patient's identification by checking atleast two identifiers before blood collection
• Provide proper patient care and give clear instructions
• Adherence to correct volume of blood to anticoagulant ratio
• Ensure correct sample labeling
• Observe handling precautions and proper disposal of sharps/ needles
• Transport samples in a timely manner
• Know the preventive measures and safety precautions prior to phlebotomy. Provide immediate management in case of patient adverse reaction during phlebotomy