Blood Transfusion Section
The department provides an acute Haematology and Blood Transfusion service to Torbay Hospital, surrounding General Practitioners and Community Hospitals.
You will work in all areas within the Haematology Department but will have a delegated responsibility for Training and Health and Safety, to ensure an efficient and responsive laboratory service with primary responsibility for blood transfusion.
You will be expected to participate in the out-of-hours rota to ensure the provision of a 24/7 Haematology & Blood Transfusion service.
Torbay Hospital is a medium sized acute trust, and the department is located within the main pathology department
The Laboratory serves Torbay Hospital, GP surgeries, and GP-run community Hospitals.
We provide a 24-hour, 365-day service, with a Laboratory workload of approximately 3 million tests per annum.
The post holder will be part of the management team responsible for the day to day running of the Haematology and Blood Transfusion Departments.
To perform specialist Transfusion investigations in own field and provides highly specialised advice to clinicians.
Supervises and trains Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and specialist Registrars.
The post holder would be required to deputise for the Transfusion Technical Manager in their absence.
Torbay Hospital is situated in Torquay, part of the English Rivera, with spectacular scenery and some of the cleanest beaches in Britain. The unspoilt wilderness of the Dartmoor National Park is within easy reach.
The team consists of 16 Biomedical scientists, supported by 2 Associate Practitioners and 2 Medical Laboratory Assistants. All staff up to band 7 frequently rotate between the two departments. The Blood Transfusion department has recently moved into to a refurbished laboratory adjacent to the combined Biochemistry Haematology laboratory.
The department performs a wide range of tests including some immunology and full participation in the ante natal sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme.
The department encourages staff to attend courses relevant to their role.
An informal visit is strongly encouraged.
This post forms part of the management team that ensures the provision of a continuous and comprehensive Haematology and Blood Transfusion service.
To liaise with the Technical Manager and Section Managers to assign appropriate levels of staff throughout the department, responding to operational need.
To process patient samples in accordance with Clinical Governance procedures.
Supervise and perform laboratory investigations in blood transfusion, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the results.
Determine the suitability of specimens and appropriateness for the test requested. Advise requestors of sample issues and the correct remedial action to ensure the quality of results and continued patient care.
To ensure the department can respond to urgent clinical requirements
To advice clinical staff regarding incomplete, complex or conflicting results, to ensure prompt and timely actions and intervention of treatment.
To ensure that both internal and external Quality Control procedures are carried out and that appropriate corrective measures are undertaken as required.
As the Training Lead for Blood Transfusion, to implement and maintain training schemes and training records for all staff within the department.
To support the placement Students and produce a viable training programme
To instruct, train and supervise less experienced qualified Biomedical scientist, Medical Laboratory Assistants, students and Specialist Registrars.
To ensure that the Blood Transfusion results are reported within agreed turn around times for in-house testing and from referral laboratories
Undertake preventative maintenance and calibration of main line analysers.
To carry out troubleshooting due to technical failures of the main line analysers. To risk assess complex situations using professional judgement to ensure safe practice and continued operation.
To escalate deficiencies to the Technical Manger or contact a supplier direct. To co-ordinate with field service engineers’ remedial actions, to resume the provision of service.
To be responsible for ensuring adequate levels of reagents and consumables.
To participate in the technical research and development of the department to ensure a continuous improvement of the service to aid patient care.
As the delegated Quality Lead for Blood Transfusion, ensure the department meets the requirements of the current UKAS ISO 15189 standards.
To ensure the agreed processes for a quality management system are implemented and maintained
To maintain the departmental audit calendar and monitor the departments performance. Highlight concerns to the rest of the management team.
To attend Departmental and Pathology Quality meetings, coordinate actions points and staff education as required.
To ensure the agreed processes for a quality management system are implemented and maintained.
To ensure that optimal standard operating procedures are maintained in all sections of the laboratory and updated on a regular basis
To participate in service development within the department in line with UKAS requirements
To work with the Departments Management Team to ensure that a robust system of error reporting is maintained and the investigation of trends are identified in accordance with UKAS requirements
To ensure the accurate and timely reporting of all Blood Transfusion Eternal Quality Assurance Exercises.
Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Department, to maintain efficient running of the department
Training and Education
To carry out annual development appraisals and performance reviews on Staff up to band 6 grade.
To supervise staff within Haematology and Blood Transfusion.
To identify specialist training and any specific requirements of staff. To liaise with the management team to develop learning portfolios to meet the education needs of the staff.
To act as mentor when providing specialist training.
Support staff with performance/ competence concerns and ensure they are appropriately managed to address their required developmental needs.
Health and Safety
As a Health and Safety officer to ensure a high standard of laboratory safety, fire safety and ensure the Health and Safety of all staff and visitors. Ensure that the arrangements for security of the department, equipment and chemicals are carried out in accordance with national guidelines and Trust policy.
Where appropriate to be responsible for the education of the department’s staff on Health and Safety issues.
To update and maintain COSHH and Risk Assessments, as directed by the Laboratory Manager and the needs of the department.
Information Technology
To be assist the Technical manager in the maintenance of the database, reference files and problem solving of the departments IT System.
Assist in the evaluation, implementation and development of new information systems and associated technologies that may be required.
Finance
To ensure the function of, and adequate maintenance of equipment. To collaborate with engineers in the diagnosis of major problems to ensure a prompt repair, this may require training in the delicate handling and fine adjustments of instrument parts
Assist in the evaluation and selection of new equipment, including their revenue implication, the service and training needs
Contributes to discussions for contact arrangements and pursues, where appropriate income generation initiatives
Other Duties
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice the Continual Professional Development (CPD) activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development
Involvement in the replacement of the laboratory Information management system
