physician substitute

NurseStace · Oct 28, 2006

Anyone ever hear of this title for a nurse? The first time I ever heard of it was today at a blood bank. Some of what they do are mini physicals I was told. I would like to know if there are any nurses out there working at a blood bank and what are your duties as the nurse? Btw what might a mini physical entail. Thanks!

Actually, I am a Phys Sub. I dont work at a blood bank.. Its a plasma Center. Its actually a pretty cool job. Our physicals consist of a brief med hx. quick pe.. lungs, heart, we check for signs of iv drug use/ intranasal use... then we give them the ins and outs of the pheresis procedure... and get them to sign consents. We also question about HIV /HCV/ HBV/ CJD risk. I work under a doctor, and have to be re-evaluated in my position yearly.

If I may ask, did you have an interview there? I had never done plasma before, mainly LTC and MD offices, but it was diffrent, and the money was good... so I tried it... Been there 7 months now, and I can honestly say I've learned quite a bit. Hope I was able to answer your question.. feel free to PM with with any more.

Stace

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2006

I work for a blood bank, and I've never heard of that term either. Most of our staff (myself included) has some type of medical background and then undergo an intensive training program (2 months worth) by our employer. We are "phlebotomy technicians" where I work. Frequently our donors call us nurses, but almost everyone where I work is great about gently correcting donors and explaining that most of us aren't nurses.

We also do "mini-physicals" that include that include vitals and checking the ac areas of both arms (looking for rashs, open areas, and drug use). We have a comprehensive list of questions that each donor answers. These questions are determined by current regulations of the FDA, CDC, and the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks, another regularatory agency). The questions are to determine if there is a risk to either the donor themselves by donating blood or a risk to any recipient of the blood products.

Just out of curiousity, how did the term "physican subsitute" come up in your experience at the blood bank?

MoriahRoseRN · Oct 28, 2006

Hi,

thanks for replying. Actually I used the wrong term in my original post, it is a plama center. I did not interview, I was seeking employment, because a friend recommended I go there. The one thing I did notice was the place seemed a little chaotic, and it was packed.

Btw I am a new grad, so I don't know how good my assessment skills would be. Stace did they give you orientation, and about how long was it? You mentioned the money is good. Where I live the hospitals start new grads at about $20/hr. Is it comparable to new grad pay in your area?

Emtrachel, your job description sounds a lot like the physician substitute.

Thanks for posting, and sorry for all of the questions.

NurseStace · Oct 28, 2006

the place seemed a little chaotic,
.

Its plasma... It's VERY chaotic... but organized if you watch it for a bit... lol.. Like the tango! We have a 6 week training program, it covers our SOPs, and hands on physicals... I had a blast. I am an LPN and making only a tad less then new RNs start at where you are. If I wanted to make that kind of money, I would normally have to work LTN. Which is where the money is for LPNs. The company I work for puts money into their staff, and their training. We have a quality program that goes above and beyond what the FDA requires of plasma centers. Mind if I ask what Company you were looking at?

PANurseRN1 · Oct 28, 2006

Physician substitute? Eh, no. I'm a nurse.

I sure as heck wouldn't work for a place that used that designation for nurses. Not only does it disrespect our profession, it's profoundly misleading.

Larry77, RN · Oct 28, 2006

Um...what is "Plama"???

MoriahRoseRN · Oct 28, 2006

Oops! I don't have spell check on my laptop, I meant plasma. Please forgive my bad typing.

Stace, it is called International BioResources. It seems like you had a really good orientation. That is great, all I would hope for is something similar if I got hired. The one thing that I am concerned about is the physicians substitute has to stay until the last patient is assessed or off of the machine. I wasn't very clear on which one it was.

sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 28, 2006

Um...what is "Plama"???

Plasma without the S

NurseStace · Oct 28, 2006

IBR is who I work for. I stay until the needle is out of my last donors arm. Last few nights I Have been out by 6:15. The latest I've ever stayed was like... 7:30ish. And you would'nt be there all day, hopefully you would have another PS or two to share the load with.

nursemaggy · Sep 9, 2008

It is federally mandated five weeks min training for a medical supervisor/ phys sub what ever it is call by which ever plasma co

i worked for biolife for 14 months and it is a highly regulated industry by the fda it is a great job if you like fast paced atmosphere with low stress becuase there is very little chance of one of your donors really crashing it is an industry funded by pharmisutical companies so they have deep pockets and usually pay really well and yes there must be a nurse on the premices or a md at all times that donors are in the building you cant leave till they leave unless there is another phys sub there some states allow emt's to do the job i am going to work for another plasma center soon i enjoy the work and it gets me home with my child at night

to answer the question of what plasma is well it is mostly water but the other part is proteins the companies make medicine out of it

it helps people with immune disorders and also burn victoms and such they are also looking into its helpfulness with alzheimers

sorry i cant spell to save my life and i dont have my cheat sheet handy

nursemaggy · Sep 9, 2008

btw does anyone know about the ball park a lpn with a year and a half experience in the industry and 10 years nurseing should ask for for a starting salary

the plasma industry that is