Andrea Laws
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Seasoned Technical Supervisor adept at leading teams and developing improvements. Knowledgeable manager and complex problem-solver with excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Capable Technical Supervisor proficient in overseeing schedules, resources and quality improvements. Excellent analytical and organizational abilities developed over 30 years in laboratory and nursing modalities specific to therapeutic and allogeneic apheresis processes.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Apheresis Technical Supervisor
Armed Services Blood Bank Center- San Antonio
02.2019 - Current
- Kept watchful eye on equipment inventories, optimizing work readiness and aligning supplies with specifications platelet collections and quality control measurement, pH testing, and complete blood count analysis.
- Spearheaded successful implantation of 8 battery back up systems to support 8 Terumo Automated Blood Collections devices to serve as emergency back-up incase of electrical power loss resulting in 100% completion of production and 100% rinse-back of blood to apheresis donors. Spearheaded validation and collection of Cold Stored Plaletes. Obtaining FDA licensure to extend platelet shelf life of platelets to 14 days for cost savings to Army hospitals for platelet products of more than $400,000/ year. Increase room temperature platelet shipments to VA hospital, saving $15,000/ month on platelet purchases.
- Oversight of one million dollars worth of equipment. Coordinate with biomedical staff to maintained and operated 8 Trima collection devices, one hematology analyzer, and pH meter for maximum performance.
- Shrunk knowledge gaps with ongoing training and close employee mentoring for 9 new and less experienced team members through initial training, competency assessment and remediation.
- Reduced errors in data analysis with meticulous attention to detail and stringent quality control measures with oversight of hematology analyzer, point of care testing for Calcium, College of Pathology proficiency testing samples, and competency assessment oversight.
Apheresis Registered Nurse
Methodist Medical Center
05.2005 - 07.2022
- Recorded details regarding plasma exchanges, red blood cell exchanges, and stem cell collection therapies to keep patient procedural charts updated.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in therapeutic apheresis modalities.
- Documented therapeutic whole blood and therapeutic apheresis treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, and follow-up care on more than 80 procedure/year while working 2 weekends/ month.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention such as hypotensive episodes and anaphylactic reactions related to blood product exchanges.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches. Performing procedures within the apheresis clinic and intensive care units.
Apheresis Registered Nurse/Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist
Brooke Army Medical Center
07.2013 - 02.2019
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Promoted culture of safety within healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches for 100% of patients referred to Apheresis clinic for therapeutic plasma and red cell exchanges, stem cell collections, and therapeutic phlebotomies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care for over 300 patients seen annually.
- 100% chart audit and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Actively participated monthly teleconferences for interdisciplinary conferences and AABB/ ASFA seminars to share knowledge on medical laboratory science advancements with colleagues from diverse fields.
Apheresis Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist/ RN
Wilford Hall Medical Center
08.2004 - 07.2013
- Worked as member of bone marrow transplant integrated project team in highly collaborative work environment attending weekly team meetings and direct coordination with the BMT coordinator for 50-100 stem cell collections performed annually.
- Reviewed technical and professional publications and journals to stay current on recent literature and make more strategic research decisions.
- Supported research projects, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams for successful outcomes.
- Reduced errors in data analysis with meticulous attention to detail and stringent quality control measures with oversight of hematology analyzer, point of care testing for Calcium, College of Pathology proficiency testing samples, and competency assessment oversight.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX12.1996
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA05.1986
Skills
- Outside Contractor Oversight
- Presentation Development
- Personnel Management
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Inventory Oversight
- Strategic Planning
- Data Entry and Analysis
- Documentation requirements
- Client Relationship Building
- Job Prioritizing
Affiliations
- Member of the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB)
Certification
- Licensed Registered Nurse - 1997 - present
- ASCP Hemapheresis Practitioner Training - 1996 - present
- ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist Training - 1989 - present
Traveling, cooking, and small event planning
I enjoy traveling within the United States and abroad. The next country on my bucket list would be Ireland. I enjoy cooking and trying different kinds of foods and cooking styles. I am currently looking into learning more about "Keto". I really like to plan holiday and special events for our donors, patients, and fellow staff members - potlucks to theme parties! Yah!
Timeline
Apheresis Technical Supervisor
Armed Services Blood Bank Center- San Antonio
02.2019 - Current
Apheresis Registered Nurse/Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist
Brooke Army Medical Center
07.2013 - 02.2019
Apheresis Registered Nurse
Methodist Medical Center
05.2005 - 07.2022
Apheresis Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist/ RN
Wilford Hall Medical Center
08.2004 - 07.2013
Associate of Science - Nursing
San Antonio College
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Central Washington University
- Licensed Registered Nurse - 1997 - present
- ASCP Hemapheresis Practitioner Training - 1996 - present
- ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist Training - 1989 - present
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