Band 8d - Director, UK NEQAS BTLP

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated UK NEQAS Director to lead the UK NEQAS BTLP team. The post focuses on expertise in blood transfusion and EQA, aiming to improve performance through education and guidance.

The role requires leadership, strategic planning, and oversight to meet national and international standards. The Director will manage a multidisciplinary team, work with professional bodies, and ensure confidentiality and high-quality support.

Qualifications

• Expert in blood transfusion and in the provision of EQA.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in NHS/non-profit settings.
• Experience with ISO 17043 accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Writing in-depth review and supplementary survey reports, with detailed analysis and clinically relevant specialist opinion for participants and external advisors.
• Reviewing participant performance against criteria agreed with quality assurance panels; communicate with participants and offer evidence-based advice for improvement.
• Managing staff within UK NEQAS BTLP and jointly employed staff; recruitment, appraisal and performance management.
• Managing the budget and resources; running the scientific operation and development of pilot schemes; ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

Job description

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8d - Director, UK NEQAS BTLP

The closing date is 15 November 2026

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate UK NEQAS Director to lead the UK NEQAS BTLP team. Applicants should be expert in blood transfusion and in the provision of EQA. The post holder will organise and be accountable for the clinically focused and cost-effective and delivery and development of UK NEQAS BTLP services to UK and non-UK participants, working with Scheme specialist advisors and professional oversight bodies, with the primary aim of improving performance in immunohaematology and pre-transfusion testing through education and advice. The post-holder must maintain participant confidentiality and high standards of technical and professional support in keeping with international accreditation standards (ISO 17043). The post holder will be expected to become a Director of QED Transfusion Limited. This company, which is Limited by Guarantee and is operated as not-for-profit is used to manage income from non-NHS laboratories and supplements the NHS income to fund EQA activities on behalf of UK NEQAS BTLP. This is a full-time post, working 9:00am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday, although flexible working arrangements will be considered. Full details will be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

Writing in depth review and supplementary survey reports, with detailed analysis and clinically relevant specialist opinion, for participants and external advisors. Reviewing participant performance against criteria agreed with the relevant quality assurance panels, communicates with participants where performance is deemed unsatisfactory and offers evidence based expert advice for improvement. Refers participants to the relevant oversight bodies, where intervention does not improve performance. Managing of the staff within UK NEQAS BTLP and the management of the staff jointly employed with the UK NEQAS Haematology, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, including disciplinary action, recruitment, appraisal and performance management. Managing of the budget and other physical resources of UK NEQAS BTLP, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures and NHS Standing Financial instruction Running the scientific operation of the UK NEQAS BTLP programme of surveys and the development of pilot schemes. Operation of UK NEQAS BTLP services in accordance with the UK NEQAS Unit Quality Manual and for ensuring that UK NEQAS BTLP meets and maintains current national and international accreditation standards.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

Job responsibilities

You will be responsible for providing expert scientific advice and interpretation to participants, professional bodies and other organisations on quality assurance, clinical laboratory performance and other issues, including use of techniques, reagents and equipment, in accordance with national guidelines. You will be responsible for representing UK NEQAS BTLP and the wider UK NEQAS organisation in a professional capacity on external national committees and organisations. You will be responsible for UK NEQAS BTLP business planning and for business continuity policy. You will be responsible for security of information held by UK NEQAS BTLP, in line with current information governance legislation. You will be responsible for planning and undertaking a programme of research designed to identify and monitor trends in hospital blood transfusion laboratory practice, as well as research and development to improve the Schemes services, including project planning, costing and identifying funding. You will be accountable to the Trust and the UK NEQAS Board of Trustees for the delivery of UK NEQAS BTLP services in accordance with the UK NEQAS Code of Practice, Department of Health guidelines for the management of EQA schemes within NHS trusts, and the advice of the recognised national oversight bodies.

Person Specification

Your application will be scored against the person specification

• 2 - Meets all essential criteria 1 - Partially meets essential criteria 0 - Does not meet essential criteria

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Croxley Business Park / Watford Hospital

Croxley Business Park / Watford Hospital