Job responsibilities
Job Title: Transfusion Practitioner
Reports to: Consultant in Transfusion Medicine Accountable to: Service Lead Blood
Unit/Department: Blood Bank /Hospital Transfusion Team
CSU Directorate: Pathology CSU
Location1 LGI/SJUH
AfC Job No: 1300b
JOB PURPOSE
As a member of the Hospital Transfusion Team the Transfusion Practitioner will have a key role for leading in:
The development and dissemination of specialist evidence based national and local transfusion guidelines and policies including monitoring and reporting on progress with Nice Guidance NG24 Action Blood transfusion and Nice Quality Standard Blood Transfusion (QS138)
Making blood transfusion safer through clinical governance
Developing and promoting strategies to avoid unnecessary use of blood in clinical practice
Providing information to patients and the public about blood transfusion
Developing and delivering specialist guidelines, educational and training programmes for hospital staff
Ensuring Trust compliance with Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 SI 2005/50 and participating in the inspection process of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Trust reserves the right to require employees to work either temporarily or permanently at or from any other of the Trusts establishments at any time
JOB DIMENSIONS
This job holds Trust-wide responsibility for education and training of all staff involved in the transfusion process, including laboratory scientists, doctors, nurses, phlebotomists and porters.
The Transfusion Practitioner must ensure that all areas across the Trust have access to these education resources and if necessary arrange local training sessions for staff on peripheral sites and at times suitable for all shift systems.
To provide an advisory service during normal working hours to any member of staff in the Trust and take the lead in investigating all transfusion-related incidents and complaints.
The post holder must also attend local, regional and national meetings relevant to the clinical governance and risk management aspects of the job, and provide reports to committees where necessary.
Take a lead role in preparing and consulting on guidelines and ensuring their implementation across all specialties.
To lead in auditing transfusion practice in all clinical areas as part of local and national audit projects.
Be aware of budgetary constraints during the preparation and distribution of newsletters and other sources of information. Generally they must work to keep the HTT budget within limits.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Qualifications:
Registered Nurse HCPC registered Bio Medical Scientist (BMS)
Recognised teaching/assessing qualification (desirable)
First Level Degree or equivalent experience (essential)
Masters Degree or equivalent post registration experience. Please note that for BMS Practitioners an MSc is essential or significant post registration experience.
Evidence of post graduate development
Experience:
Nursing - significant experience at senior staff nurse/junior sister level
BMS - significant experience at Specialist BMS level
Evidence of ongoing professional development
Knowledge of risk management systems
Clinical Audit and standard setting
Significant exposure to Transfusion practice in a laboratory (BMS) or clinical environment (nursing)
Skills:
Influencing and negotiation skills
Communication
Clinical leadership
Teaching
Facilitation skills
Presentation skills
Knowledge:
Current issues in healthcare
Standards of professional practice
Transfusion practice and related guidance and legislation
Personal Attributes
Excellent interpersonal skills
Innovator
Motivator
Assertiveness
Flexibility
THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred, Collaborative, Fair, Accountable, Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Commitment to delivering high quality evidence based advice
Commitment to collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams
Commitment to influencing a high standard of patient care and safety in relation to transfusion
Commitment to innovation and motivation, encouraging a positive and creative working environment
Commitment to own development and the development of Trust staff
CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Advise clinical teams on transfusion practice.
Lead role in the investigation of transfusion incidents
Collaborative and interdisciplinary working
Managing challenging & sensitive situations
Teaching skills
Communication skills
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Lead role in promoting excellence and evidence based transfusion processes
Understanding of research based practice research conscious
Team player
Interface with local, regional and national transfusion committees
Ability to act professionally at all times
CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Function in a variety of role dimensions; health care provider, co-ordinator, auditor, negotiator, change manager, consultant, educator, facilitator, coach, advocate, administrator, researcher and leader.
Maintain current knowledge of the Trust and the financing of the health care system as it affects delivery of care with specific reference to transfusion processes
Have knowledge of relevant healthcare policies and organisational structures.
Demonstrate knowledge of relevant regulations for
Nurse Practitioner - NMC code of conduct.
BMS Practitioner - HCPC codes of conduct
Be computer literate and competent in main software packages.
To actively participate in the multi-disciplinary R&D programmes which are involved in researching into the clinical transfusion process.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Transfusion Practice
To fulfil the requirements as directed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or Heath care Professional Council to maintain and revalidate registration
Lead role in improving the safety and effectiveness of the blood transfusion process.
Lead role in the implementation of national guidance and legal requirements (NICE Guidance NG24 Blood Transfusion and NICE Quality Standard Blood Transfusion (QS138).
Lead role in investigating clinical incidents including near misses related to blood and blood component transfusion, lead in analysis of these
events and design solutions to improve care in the context of a no-blame culture. This involves working closely with staff from many disciplines and grades of seniority, including senior medical, nursing and managerial staff.
Contribute to the Serious Adverse Blood Reaction Events (SABRE) and Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) reporting scheme and the dissemination of the annual report.
Lead in the development and dissemination of specialist evidence based national and local transfusion guidelines and policies.
Lead in presenting completed guidelines to the Trust Clinical Guidelines Committee for ratification.
Lead in facilitating liaison between ward, clinical and laboratory staff to ensure reporting, recording and root cause analysis of near misses and clinical incidents. Ensure that appropriate lessons are learned and system changes made.
Lead in providing specialist advice on all aspects of blood and blood product transfusion, to clinical and other staff, as well as Trust patients and interested members of the public.
To take a lead role in the development and production of specialist educational material for patients and staff.
Ability to make professional autonomous decisions, for which the individual is accountable.
Liaise with local blood bank clinicians and managers to implement, monitor and evaluate the effect of interventions aimed at reducing losses and wastage of blood and blood products.
Set, monitor and seek to continuously improve standards and the quality of patient care including standards defined in National Guidelines
Develop effective networks for sharing information, expertise and good practice both within and outside the Trust.
Lead in promoting evidence based practice.
Produce, analyse and present reports relating to blood and blood product management for clinical areas, acknowledging progress in response to NICE Guidance NG24 Blood Transfusion and NICE Quality Standard Blood Transfusion (QS138), linking with the Trust risk management and clinical governance agendas.
Act as a resource for advice, support and guidance.
Ensure that data on blood and blood product transfusion use is fully recorded in the clinical record.
Supervise and maintain accurate records using national and Trust documentation.
Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies.
Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes.
Undertake duties on other wards or departments as and when required by service demands or patient need.
Education and training.
To deliver Trust-wide education and training for staff involved in the care of patients receiving blood or blood products, in collaboration with the HTT and HTE as mandated by the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations SI 2005/50.
Contribute to the promotion of a positive learning environment within the Trust.
Be flexible in providing education and training which is adaptable to the workplace.
