Apheresis Nurse Manager, Apheresis Operations

Who we are.

Dendreon is making the battle against cancer personal. Our flagship product PROVENGE^® (sipuleucel-T), was the first FDA approved immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer and is made from the patient's own immune cells.

If you are looking to positively impact the lives of patients, we want you to join our team. We have Immunotherapy Manufacturing Facilities located in Seal Beach, CA and Union City, GA. A sizeable Research & Development group based out of Seattle, WA, and a highly skilled Commercial team countrywide.

Core Values:

• Put Patients First. Every day is a new opportunity to improve the lives of patients living with cancer
• Act with Integrity. Be honest, transparent, and committed to doing what’s right in every situation.
• Build Trust. Building trust takes time. Engage teammates, be candid and transparent. Over communicate and seek feedback.
• Raise the Bar. Harness continuous improvement, foster innovation and elevate our people.
• Drive Results. Be accountable and execute – we win together when everyone performs.

Your Role:  Apheresis Nurse Manager will be responsible for performing apheresis procedures, managing patient care, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and comfort for patients undergoing apheresis treatments.  This role requires expertise in apheresis techniques along with an understanding of all aspects of an apheresis program to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.  In addition, this role will serve as a Dendreon Apheresis Subject Matter Expert for the remaining apheresis network collection sites.

Your Work:

1. Develop an apheresis program within Dendreon working with stakeholders through all phases of project planning and execution. With knowledge of the requirements and regulations pertaining to apheresis collections, establish apheresis collection sites in various locations throughout the country.
2. As the apheresis program grows, will hire, lead, and manage apheresis collections nurses, providing training, guidance, and support ensuring excellence in patient care. Will work with the Director of Apheresis Operations to set goals, expectations, and KPIs for team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
3. Directs nursing service activities for Dendreon patients undergoing apheresis collections at Dendreon apheresis sites. Delegates responsibility to Dendreon apheresis nurses and supervises their performance and services provided to patients and providers.
4. Plans work assignments and coordinates activities for each collection site. Ensure each Dendreon apheresis site is compliant with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations. Participates in audit activity as the apheresis SME.
5. Apheresis Procedures:

• Perform leukapheresis procedures according to the established protocols and guidelines.
• Set up and operate the apheresis equipment, ensuring all maintenance activities are up to date.
• Develop standard operating procedures and collection site processes and protocols.

6. Patient Care:

• Assess patient health status and suitability with Medical Director for apheresis procedures, including pre-procedure evaluations and ongoing monitoring.
• Provide education and support to patients and their families regarding the apheresis process, potential side effects, and aftercare.
• Monitor and manage patient reactions and complications during and after the procedure, responding promptly to any issues.

7. Apheresis Site Management:
   • Manage supply inventory
   • Monitor temperature-controlled supplies
   • Ensure site is clean, safe, and ready to accept patients
8. Provide technical expertise and nursing guidance for Dendreon’s third party network of Apheresis Collection Sites (ACS, specifically related to Dendreon’s FDA approved labeling)
9. Participate in the qualification process of new clinical and commercial ACS by acting as the technical/nursing lead during on-boarding.
10. Provide training and assessment as needed for the apheresis site through a simulated collection and SOP review to confirm site readiness for launch.
11. Provide on-site monitoring support to help ensure consistency and compliance to Dendreon’s process requirements as needed.
12. Identify and manage technical issues by working closely with Apheresis Operations team members to monitor ACS site performance, maintain strong relations with ACS staff, and successfully resolve issues or concerns between the ACS and infusion sites.
13. Facilitate productive resolution to difficulties encountered during the treatment process to assure patient retention, schedule compliance and to prevent treatment delays.
14. Participate in projects and initiatives utilizing apheresis nursing experience to improve the program.

Scope:  Coverage includes the entire apheresis collection site network and the established Dendreon apheresis collection site (s).

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Valid RN License or ability to gain RN license in multiple states
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in apheresis collections environment, recent experience preferred and knowledge of Dendreon requirements a plus
• Proven record gaining peripheral access for apheresis collections
• Experience accessing and maintaining Central Venous Catheters
• Knowledge of Apheresis and/or Good Tissue Practices
• Ability to work effectively and produce high quality results in a fast-paced team environment
• Exceptional customer service orientation and proven success in a customer facing role
• Ability to build effective relationships within the company and with external partners, at all levels, from technical/clinical staff to executives
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders without direct authority
• Vendor management experience preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• On-call and after hours support may be required

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• 25%-50% travel
• Ability to lift and move equipment and patients as needed
• Capacity to work in a clinical environment with potential exposure to biological hazards
• Role involves direct patient interaction and operation of medical equipment
• Dendreon is an equal employment and affirmative action employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

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