Abstract
I interviewed Tyanisa Smart. Tyanisa works for Grifols which is a plasma center. She has been working for the company for 8 years. Grifols is one of the world’s largest plasma companies. Tyanisa is a Medical Operations Supervisor for Grifols. She gave me some information on the company history. She also explained what plasma was and what plasma was used for. She went over what type of degrees she had and how long it took her to grow with the company. Interviewing Tyanisa was very educational. I not only learned about plasma but I found out that donating plasma is in high demand.

Tyanisa has been working for Grifols for 8 years. Tyanisa is a Medical Operations Supervisor for Grifols. When she started working for the company she was an LPN. After about 4 years she took on the responsibilities of becoming a Medical Operations Supervisor. Tyanisa is to perform at the expert level and also act as the area supervisor. Oversees work of others and acts as the area supervisor but does not conduct performance appraisals or make hiring, salary, or termination decisions. She gives immediate feedback and technical assistance to Center Medical Specialists and to staff in the donor processing area and on the donor floor. She coordinates the medical staff schedules. Leads, directs breaks and lunches, and directs donor flow. She participates in the interview process of new hires. Tyanisa may provide input into performance appraisals and participate in employee performance counseling as requested and supervised by the Center Manager. Tyanisa acts as a resource for others and is a designated trainer. She also performs any needed injury, illness or medication evaluations to ensure continued donor suitability. Tyanisa overseas the flow of the clinic, making sure it runs at its optimal performance to increase productivity with staff and for production. The requirements for this position is Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong assessment skills with the ability to handle all donor suitability determinations. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Good understanding of both verbal and written English. Where applicable written and verbal bi-lingual skills. Ability to understand and follow SOPs and protocols. The ability to organize, prioritize and complete daily, weekly and monthly tasks in a high paced, highly regulated environment following strict protocols in regards to audits and detailed documentation. Has the skills to delegate when appropriate. Computer proficient in web based training and Word. Educated and currently certified/licensed in the state of employment and according to state requirements as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Vocation Nurse, Paramedic or Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistant. Current CPR certification required. Tyanisa met all the requirements for the position and was given a great pay raise. Tyanisa loves her job but she is currently in school trying to get her Registered Nurse Degree. She explained to me what she wanted to do in the future. Tyanisa wants to work for a U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. She likes the pay and short work weeks. Tyanisa is 1 year away from graduating and she hopes to get a better job with more money.
Grifols has a network of 150 plasma donation centers in the United States which are managed by three of its own companies, Biomat USA, PlasmaCare and Talecris Plasma Resources. The centers are operated by well-qualified professionals in order to maintain high levels of quality. The donation process, or plasmapheresis, can take as little as 90 minutes and is performed using automatic equipment and other sterile, non-reusable materials. The plasma donor centers are pleasant and comfortable, and donors receive personal attention under medical supervision. The Grifols family has been present in healthcare since 1940, creating innovative products and services based on the values of ethics and responsibility. Grifols activities focus on fulfilling the needs of healthcare professionals working in therapeutics, pharmacy, diagnostics and blood banking. For more than 60 years, Grifols companies have developed, manufactured and marketed products designed to improve human health. Grifols manufacture products of proven efficacy, quality and safety.
Plasma is a straw-colored liquid that carries the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is made up of water (about 90%), proteins and clotting factors (8%), small amounts of salts, glucose (blood sugar) and lipids (fats). It contains proteins and antibodies, which are produced by the immune system to fight diseases. Grifols only collects plasma from qualified donors, and the plasma is carefully tested and analyzed in Grifols laboratories before being approved for use in manufacturing. There, the proteins are extracted from plasma and subjected to rigorous purification, viral inactivation and viral removal techniques to enhance safety and efficacy. Only then is the plasma transformed into individual protein therapies.
Plasma is used to replace lost fluids and other blood proteins in burn victims. As the body tries to counteract the effects of burns, and as the skin loses its ability to contain body fluids, the body transfers blood fluids out of circulation and into the tissues. This is done to replace lost fluids. The result of this process is reduced blood pressure, which is critical to deliver blood to peripheral tissues. Plasma from donors is given to replace blood volume and blood pressure.
This interview was very interesting and educational. Tyanisa was pretty nice and she encouraged me to continue on my path to getting my degree. She went over her struggle trying to get her life together and the story was very touching. Her words of encouragement has me wanting to get my life together. Sounds like the plasma world is a very important. I love the fact that it helps people.

References
Tyanisa (Personal Communications) October 25, 2014