Plasma center job

OnceIWas · Jul 29

I'm interested in hearing from those who work in these centers as well. I had a telephone interview last week with a recruiter for one and will be meeting for an in person interview at one of the local centers this week. I'm happy to share what the recruiter told me about the position/benefits/probably pay and schedule if you'd be interested.

The reviews I read on glassdoor and indeed about this particular company seem mixed so I'm a little unsure at this point but plan on going to the in person interview to assess for myself.

OnceIWas · Aug 3

An update in case anyone is interested..the interview went well, I was offered the position and am moving forward in the process.

The pay is lower than a hospital, home health or hospice setting however the stress level is also far less. The benefits are much better and RN's are part of the bi-yearly company bonus plan. Scrubs are provided by the company which is nice.

At this particular center, RN's complete physicals/intakes for donors. If there are none scheduled the RN assists if needed w/the other staff who are actually with the donors.

The hours vary depending on if scheduled for first shift or second but everyone rotates through both at some point.

It's a new area of nursing for me for sure. I know 100% I do not want to return to home health or hospice or the 12+ hr shifts at the hospital. I am also not keen on M-F schedules so for now, it seems, this type of position will fit most of what I am wanting at this time in life and that lives are being saved by the donors donating.

Anonnurse316 · Aug 5

I'm glad you are liking it! Would you mind letting me know what it was you didn't like about home health and hospice? I've been considering a switch and contemplating on those.

OnceIWas · Aug 6

Anonnurse316 said:

I'm glad you are liking it! Would you mind letting me know what it was you didn't like about home health and hospice? I've been considering a switch and contemplating on those.

I ended up rescinding my acceptance of the plasma center position. The offical offer ended up being not what was discussed in the interview. There were other red flags as well so I went with my gut and declined.

As far as home health and hospice. The documentation in home health is like no other speciality. The EMR for most is named homecare homebase (pointcare). It is a very user unfriendly platform in addition to the OASIS requirement for medicare patients. Even for seasoned nurses there is a lot of after hours documentation take takes place. That isn't to say after some time documenting doesn't get faster as one learns the patient & system but there is no way to complete all documentation in the home. Depending on the home health company you will be paid per visit or salary. The per visit rate is ridiculous & unfair. There is a lot of focus/pressure for productivity points. Points as assigned based on the type of visit you perform (I.e. admission, recert, etc). Mileage is normally paid at less than the IRS allowable rate & only between patients houses so if your first patient is 40 miles from your house, that is on you. It adds up quickly in a weeks time.

Hospice I liked better. There are no productivity points, OASIS & though the documentation is the same platform, it's faster/easier most of the time. The drawback to hospice where I was is there was no dedicated call team so case managers who worked M-F also rotated through call. The after hours call people were suppose to be nurses who triaged but that was not the case - all calls went to whomever was on call.

My advice, try hospice before home health. ASK the hospice company if there is a dedicated on call team (that takes calls, makes visits) If you are expected to take call in addition to your regular position how often is that expected? What is the compensation for it? And would all the after hours calls go to you or through a service? If a service are they nurses or just an answering service? What is the mileage? How large a territory does the hospice cover? Mine covered 22 counties so some visits would be 2 hrs one way.

It's a lot I know but if you don't know to ask & get thrown into something you will burn out fast.

bluebonnet, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 3

OnceIWas said:

I ended up rescinding my acceptance of the plasma center position. The offical offer ended up being not what was discussed in the interview. There were other red flags as well so I went with my gut and declined.

As far as home health and hospice. The documentation in home health is like no other speciality. The EMR for most is named homecare homebase (pointcare). It is a very user unfriendly platform in addition to the OASIS requirement for medicare patients. Even for seasoned nurses there is a lot of after hours documentation take takes place. That isn't to say after some time documenting doesn't get faster as one learns the patient & system but there is no way to complete all documentation in the home. Depending on the home health company you will be paid per visit or salary. The per visit rate is ridiculous & unfair. There is a lot of focus/pressure for productivity points. Points as assigned based on the type of visit you perform (I.e. admission, recert, etc). Mileage is normally paid at less than the IRS allowable rate & only between patients houses so if your first patient is 40 miles from your house, that is on you. It adds up quickly in a weeks time.

Hospice I liked better. There are no productivity points, OASIS & though the documentation is the same platform, it's faster/easier most of the time. The drawback to hospice where I was is there was no dedicated call team so case managers who worked M-F also rotated through call. The after hours call people were suppose to be nurses who triaged but that was not the case - all calls went to whomever was on call.

My advice, try hospice before home health. ASK the hospice company if there is a dedicated on call team (that takes calls, makes visits) If you are expected to take call in addition to your regular position how often is that expected? What is the compensation for it? And would all the after hours calls go to you or through a service? If a service are they nurses or just an answering service? What is the mileage? How large a territory does the hospice cover? Mine covered 22 counties so some visits would be 2 hrs one way.

It's a lot I know but if you don't know to ask & get thrown into something you will burn out fast.

I am so sorry the plasma center job didn't work out for you. I am also in a similar shoes right now. Was contacted by recruiter and pending interview at local plasma center. IF you don't mind me asking, which area or state are you from and what company was this?