Senior BMS (Blood Transfusion) and Laboratory Deputy

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overall Job Purpose:

To lead the team of staff in all department in with responsibility for providing a comprehensive, high quality 24/7 pathology service to CCL clients and clients of TDL.

To deputise in absence of the Laboratory Manager.

To use a combination of knowledge and skills to ensure that appropriate sample testing and the issue of blood components and products are performed safely, accurately and in a timely manner, for every patient and in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR). To work within a multi-disciplinary team where duties include provision of other pathology services such as Haematology, Biochemistry and Blood Transfusion.

Main duties

To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:

1. To supervise and coordinate various grades of scientific & support staff and assist in the development of rotas with the Laboratory Manager to ensure correct skill mix to support essential daily transfusion services, and to liaise with the other BMS staff to ensure continuous 24/7 cover.
2. To participate in all areas of laboratory bench work, whilst adhering to standard operating procedures and participating in their regular review and update.
3. To participate in multidisciplinary working as required.
4. Techniques and testing that include biochemistry, haematology, coagulation and blood transfusion.
5. Undertake specimen preparation and analysis for a range of sample types and ensure that for each sample the appropriate requested investigations are performed in a timely manner.

1. To interpret clinical information and use scientific knowledge to process specimens for appropriate tests, seeking advice from senior staff and clinicians when necessary

1. To ensure timely and accurate reporting of manual work results with correct follow-up including input of additional testing requirements, correct report comments, future testing instructions and patient special blood component requirements into the computer system.

1. To check reports for further action by the Clinicians, and to authorise reports as delegated within TDL departmental policy.
2. To communicate patients results and answer enquiries from health care professionals within the hospital and in the community, providing information regarding appropriate investigations required and explanation of results, within departmental guidelines and professional code of conduct, recognising own boundaries.

1. To operate, maintain, supervise and resolve equipment and method troubleshooting (including laboratory instrumentation and remote issue blood fridges), advise the Laboratory Manager of situations requiring further action, work with service engineers on fault resolution, reporting and documenting equipment faults and resolutions as per GMP requirements.

1. To evaluate and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.

1. To liaise with the NHSBT reference laboratories and clinicians for the follow-up of specialist investigations or the provision or compatible blood components for patients with complicated serology.
2. To be proficient in the use and functions of the information technology systems within the department, including some administrative functions as appropriate.

1. To assist in the evaluation of new equipment and advise the head of service, senior scientific colleagues on the need for new equipment and maintenance of existing equipment.

1. To ensure that the department meets all the standards required by UKAS and to participate in the regular review of all the procedures performed in the laboratory including the establishment and monitoring of effective internal and external Quality Control and Quality Assurance schemes.
2. To co-ordinate adequate supplies of laboratory consumables, reagents, blood component and product stocks and co-ordinate their stock control.
3. To inspect documentation and records including but not limited to QC, QA, cleaning, maintenance, temperature monitoring, equipment service and repair, incident reports etc. to ensure compliance with GMP standards.
4. To contribute to audit activities, both scheduled and proactively.
5. To liaise with the Quality Rep, Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager, laboratory and clinical staff as required regarding investigation of any incident, error, transfusion reaction or other event which may cause a service delivery or quality failure, and to assist in the implementation and documentation of corrective and preventive actions.
6. To supervise and facilitate the maintenance of correct storage of blood components throughout the laboratory and service areas as required, including but not limited to: temperature monitoring (electronic and manual systems) and responding to temperature deviations; arranging and directing stock movement between blood fridges in order to minimise wastage and provide sufficient supplies where needed; initiating blood component recalls as required; correct packing of blood transport containers to GMP standards.
7. Through correct GMP practice and following of departmental SOPs, to contribute to the maintenance of an effective quality system in Blood Transfusion to maintain legal compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR) 2005 as well as a safe and effective transfusion service for patients.
8. To participate in local departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.

1. Attend and present at TDL/ HSL Transfusion meetings and be an active contributor to the process review and improvement of the TDL/HSL BT Seniors Group.

1. To actively represent at HTC meetings and SLA negotiations, and onsite hospital meetings as required. Through following of departmental SOPs, to contribute to the maintenance of an effective quality system in pathology to maintain UKAS compliance

Training And Education

1. To train new laboratory and clinical staff, by explaining and teaching complex technical/analytical procedures and motivating staff by promoting healthcare sciences in an interesting and positive manner.
2. To supervise, facilitate and support (in liaison with MLA staff, Couriers and Transfusion Practitioners/Transfusion link staff) the remote issue of blood in the clinical areas as well as the use of contingency blood storage equipment for planned or unexpected downtime.
3. To help ensure hospital compliance with traceability in liaison with the Laboratory Manager, BMS and MLA staff and Transfusion Practitioners/Transfusion link staff.
4. To acquire an up-to-date knowledge of developments in discipline and pathology in general as reflected by CPD.
5. To possess and keep up-to-date specialist skills and knowledge to work independently
6. To attend courses, conferences and give presentations as required by TDL including mandatory training.
7. To identify the training needs within the team.
8. To maintain registration with the HCPC, including a personal development portfolio as proof of competence to practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with HCPC as Biomedical Scientist
• AND
• MSc in appropriate discipline such as Biomedical Science (or equivalent qualification e.g. IBMS HSD)
• Participation in a relevant CPD Scheme e.g. IBMS

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Good organisational skills.
• Work accurately, neatly and efficiently. Attention to detail is very important.
• Work in a team.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite. .
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Work on own initiative
• Communicate efficiently with other members of the laboratory in English - both verbally and in writing.
• Use of laboratory equipment relevant to the specialty
• Experience of utilising statistical analysis software.

Experience

Essential

• Theoretical and practical knowledge in discipline of pathology relevant to role.
• Previous experience in a relevant laboratory, and proficiency in techniques appropriate to the discipline

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Communicate effectively with people at all levels
• Demonstrate professionalism and a customer-focused attitude
• Calm under pressure
• Punctual and reliable
• Helpful, friendly and polite
• Flexible, highly motivated, effective team player; committed to the corporate quality objectives
• Commercially aware
• Commitment to working the hours required to fulfil the job, including flexibility of working

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Doctors Laboratory

Address

Cleveland Clinic

33 Grosvenor Place

London

SW1X 7HY

Employer's website

https://www.tdlpathology.com/ (Opens in a new tab)