American Red Cross Blood Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Call Christine Dalton at 203-787-6721 or Email Christine

General Information Sheet

SAFETY

• In blood collection and processing areas, do not:    

  eat drink smoke apply cosmetics

  apply lip balm touch face handle contact lenses clean up a blood spill

• Material Safety Data sheets (MSDS) on all chemicals used at the blood drive are located at the Head Nurse Station along with OSHA poster.

• It is not mandatory to wear gloves as a Red Cross Lay Volunteer.

• Red biohazard trash bags are for blood contaminated material only.

• If by accident you do get blood on your skin or splashed into a cut, scratch, or other open areas on the skin or in your mouth, nose, or eyes,

       > wash thoroughly

       > report to the Head Nurse

• ALWAYS REMEMBER

       > wash hands after leaving blood collection area

       > wash hands before and after using the bathroom

• Do not stand near CUE table of Health History area.

• Do not read Blood Donation Records.

• Do not question a donor who decides to leave the blood drive early.

• Do not reveal ANY information about a donor.

NEVER TOUCH ANYTHING WITH BLOOD ON IT

CUSTOMER SERVICE

To the blood donor you are the Red Cross. The Courtesy with which you treat donors may be the only reason that they keep coming back.

• Let the donor's first impression be positive.

• Listen closely to what the donors have to say.

• Use and remember donor names.

• Show your concert and offer support if donors seem nervous or uneasy.

• Your tone of voice, your eye contact, even your posture should all project friendliness and efficiency.

• As donors leave, thank the donor and invite them to donate again.

GREETER / REGISTRAR

• Welcome donor with a smile and warm greeting

• Provide donor with a name sticker

• Present first-time donors with a "It's My first Time" sticker

• Monitor the donor appointment system

• Provide material for self registration

• Keep hourly count of persons registered

• Return all unused Blood Donation Records to the Head Nurse

RUNNER / ESCORT

• Act as a link between stations

• Transport caddy containing blood to driver technician table and return empty caddy to donor room

• Escort a donor by holding firmly under elbow of arm not used for venipuncture

• If donor begins to faint, ease donor to floor protecting donor's head

• Be alert to all requests for service:
       > Get portable scale for phlebotomist
       > Ice packs from drive technician
       > Cold towels from ice bowl
       > Juice as requested by donor room staff

OBSERVER

• The Observer's main responsibility is to alert paid staff if a donor is not feeling well while he/she is in the refreshment area.

• If the donor complains of not feeling well or shows other signs of distress such as paleness, sweating, being too warm, being too cold, dizziness, upset stomach,
       > Tell donor to lower head to table.
       > Put an arm on either side of the donor or hold them securely.
       > Ring "Help" bell.
       > Stay with donor until help arrives.
       > Allay fears of other donors in the area.

• If donor's arm begins to bleed, tell donor to raise arm and apply pressure. Call paid staff for assistance.

NEVER LEAVE REFRESHMENT AREA UNATTENDED WHEN DONORS ARE PRESENT

REFRESHMENT AREA VOLUNTEER

• Serve refreshments to donor in the gracious manner of a host or hostess.

• Cooperate with the Observer in reporting donor reactions.

• Award gallon pins and record entries on the "Record of Gallon Pin Awards" form.

• Enter date, location of drive and initials on donor card.

• Stay in Refreshment Area until the last donor has left.

• Thank the donor for their donations as they leave.

• Invite donors to donate again.

• Clear used plates, cups, etc. from the refreshment table and leave area clean and tidy.

Call Christine Dalton at 203-787-6721 or Email Christine