Head of Blood Transfusion

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and suitably qualified HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist to oversee the vital work of our transfusion services at the Royal Free Hospital Site.

TheBlood Transfusion Managerwill manage the day-to-day operations of the blood transfusion laboratory, leading a dedicated team of biomedical scientists and support staff. Your responsibilities will include overseeing the testing, processing, and distribution of blood and blood components, while ensuring full compliance with clinical guidelines, regulatory requirements, and Trust policies and collaboratingwith clinical teams to promote safe transfusion practices.You will also be involved in staff training and development, quality improvement initiatives, and the ongoing enhancement of laboratory technologies and practices to provide a service with the highest safety and quality standards. Collaborate with clinical teams to promote safe transfusion practices

Main duties of the job The post holder will be educated to an appropriate MSc level or have equivalent experience with an IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology/ Transfusion, or Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice. They will need to be up to date with developments in the discipline & able to demonstrate relevant CPD in accordance with HCPC. They will have post registration clinical & technical experience at senior biomedical scientist level, in-depth knowledge of complex instrumentation / laboratory techniques & QA/QC procedures and be able to lead a team.This is an exceptional opportunity to play a crucial role in a collaborative, forward-thinking healthcare environment.

About us At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

Training and development opportunities supporting professional development

Annual salary reviewNo banding restrictions. As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience. This also means that annual salary reviews do not hit a band ceiling.

Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms

Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians

Sick Pay Entitlement 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter

Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover

Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness six months qualifying period

Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing

Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket

Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts

Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with service

Competitive annual leave allowance 28 days

Flexible working hours we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule

Job responsibilities 1. To oversee and (when necessary) participate in the routine processing of specimens and issueof blood components; and to allocate work to the other BMS and MLA staff to ensure a smoothworkflow. To ensure a robust rota is in place to provide a 24/7 service.2. To ensure the maintenance of scientific standards and quality assurance in all areas of thedepartment.3. To establish systems that ensure that for each sample the appropriate requested investigationsare performed in a timely manner, and that agreed turnaround times of samples and results aremet. To ensure that results are correctly verified, and appropriate diagnostic comments addedbefore authorisation.4. To ensure that specialised and urgent specimens are appropriately dealt with.5. To work with the HSL Quality Management Group to uphold an effective Quality system in BloodTransfusion in accordance with UKAS accreditation requirements (ISO15189).6. To liaise with the NHSBT reference laboratories and clinicians for the follow-up of specialistinvestigations or the provision or compatible blood components for patients with complicatedserology.7. To ensure timely and accurate reporting of manual work results with correct follow-up includinginput of additional testing requirements, correct report comments, future testing instructionsand patient special blood component requirements into the laboratory information system(LIMS). 8. To ensure the correct operation, cleaning and maintenance of laboratory surfaces and equipmentand all blood component storage facilities (both within the laboratory and in the clinical areas)according to GMP departmental and manufacturers protocols and procedures.9. To inspect documentation and records including but not limited to QC, QA, cleaning,maintenance, temperature monitoring, equipment service and repair, incident reports etc. toensure compliance with GMP standards legal compliance with the Blood Safety and QualityRegulations (BSQR) 2005 and legal compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations(BSQR) 2005 and any subsequent updates.10. To be actively involved in the timely development of rotas to provide the appropriate numbersand correct skill mix of staff to support essential daily transfusion services, and to ensurecontinuous 24/7 cover for the whole Haematology service.11. To be proficient in the use and functions of the information technology systems within thedepartment, including relevant administrative functions.12. To ensure the facilities management team maintain adequate supplies of laboratoryconsumables, reagents; and to ensure adequate supplies of blood component and productstocks.13. To undertake, (in conjunction with the Quality Manager, Transfusion Practitioners, laboratoryand clinical staff as required), investigation of any incident, error, transfusion reaction or otherevent which may cause a service delivery or quality failure, and to assist in the implementationand documentation of corrective and preventive actions.14. To advise on equipment and method troubleshooting (including laboratory instrumentation andremote issue blood fridges), and receive reports of situations requiring further action, work withservice engineers on fault resolution, reporting and documenting equipment faults andresolutions as per GMP requirements.15. To supervise and facilitate the maintenance of correct storage of blood components throughoutthe laboratory and service areas as required, including but not limited to: temperature monitoring(electronic and manual systems) and responding to temperature deviations; arranging anddirecting stock movement between blood fridges in order to minimise wastage and providesufficient supplies where needed; initiating blood component recalls as required; correct packingof blood transport containers to GMP standards.16. To oversee (in liaison with MLA staff, couriers and Transfusion Practitioners) the remote issue ofblood in the clinical areas as well as the use of contingency blood storage equipment for plannedor unexpected downtime.17. To ensure hospital compliance with traceability in liaison with the BMS staff, MLA staff andTransfusion Practitioners.18. To be involved in staff recruitment and to conduct appraisals as required. To approve leaverequests, monitor sickness absence and act as first line response in disciplinary, grievance andperformance matters.19. To monitor external quality control submission and compliance, and to contribute to auditactivities.20. To contribute to the maintenance and development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),and to ensure that other staff fulfil their responsibilities in this respect.21. To ensure that the department is meeting its KPIs and any contractual deliverables required.Training and Education1. To make sure that the training documentation is up to date and complies with CPA/UKAS,HCPC and IBMS regulations, and to ensure adequate training programmes are in place forjunior medical, scientific and support staff. To provide managerial support to the TrainingManager and his/her Training Officer. 2. To undertake teaching, competency and induction of new staff in conjunction with the othersenior biomedical staff, and be actively involved in staff meetings and seminars.3. To keep abreast of current developments in the field and attend courses and meetings asrelevant.4. To continue own personal and professional development by participation in a recognised CPDscheme, and participation in departmental meetings and case pr

Person Specification Qualifications

• Qualification in pathology disciplines consistent with HCPC requirement.
• MSc or equivalent experience in a relevant subject
• Current registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline

Experience

• Demonstrate experience of working to a laboratory Quality Management System, and full working knowledge of MHRA requirements for a BT laboratory.
• Post-registration experience in a routine diagnostic/clinical laboratory and proficiency in relevant techniques.
• Experience of using a Laboratory Information System.
• Experience of supervising staff and of conducting appraisals.

Skills and Abilities

• Good organisational skills. Ability to work accurately, neatly and efficiently.
• Attention to detail is very important.
• Ability to lead a team.
• Basic Keyboard skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
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