Senior Biomedical Scientist/Quality Lead - Blood Transfusion

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Gillingham is seeking a Senior Biomedical Scientist/Quality Lead for Blood Transfusion. The role involves managing quality control, leading laboratory staff, and performing clinical tests. Candidates must have a master's degree related to Blood Transfusion and extensive experience in the field. This position requires strong leadership skills and the capability to manage multiple tasks effectively. The role is vital for ensuring excellence in patient care and maintaining high standards in laboratory operations.

Benefits

Continuous Professional Development opportunities

Inclusive work environment

Supportive team culture

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Blood Transfusion processes.
• Experience in clinical Blood Transfusion is essential.
• Ability to manage workload and staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage departmental quality within Blood Transfusion.
• Lead laboratory staff and manage routine work.
• Provide highly specialised advice within the department.
• Perform tests and manage blood stock efficiently.

Skills

Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Ability to solve problems

Good interpersonal skills

Leadership qualities

Flexibility to deal with unexpected situations

Education

MSc in Haematology/Blood Transfusion or equivalent

State registered with the Health & Care Professions Council

Evidence of CPD

Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

Tools

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Analytical middleware

Job description

Senior Biomedical Scientist/Quality Lead - Blood Transfusion

The postholder is responsible to the Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion for the maintenance of departmental quality management within Blood Transfusion including management of assets, audits and non-conformances.Provides operational leadership for laboratory staff on a daily basis.

The postholder will have managerial responsibility for Biomedical Scientists, as well as managing the routine work and staff rota's in conjunction with the other seniors biomedical scientists.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Main duties of the job

Performs a range of advanced healthcare science clinical activities and provides highly specialised advice within own Department. Leads a team of Healthcare Scientists and Healthcare Science Support Workers for own work area and provide training. Holds additional responsibility as a Quality Officer or Operational Lead for Department. Travel between either sites as required with a primary base of Darent Valley Hospital.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Job responsibilities

Technical responsibilities:

To have extensive knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Prioritising samples for processing and results for issuing.

Providing advice about the appropriate use of laboratory tests to users.

Performing tests and assays on all samples as necessary, according to established protocols and required standards.

Have extensive technical knowledge of the running of a Blood Transfusion department.

Entering test results onto the laboratory computer system.

Delivering accurate results of samples within agreed turnaround times.

Checking the validity of samples and the need for repeat or further testing.

Authorising the release of results as required.

Authorising results that the Consultant Haematologist deems do not require clinical authorisation.

Discussing significantly abnormal results with the Consultant Haematologist and other clinicians.

Maintaining good housekeeping and analyser trouble shooting.

Adhering to Trust and departmental policies, guidelines and quality standards.

Working at all times according to departmental Standard Operating Procedures.

To maintain an efficient blood component & blood product stock system to facilitate maximum efficiency and minimum wastage.

Have extensive knowledge of SHOT and SABRE and be able to report incidents.

To be responsible for weekly blood stock management returns.

To advise all staff grades on issues relating to complex transfusion issues in conjunction with the Clinical Blood Transfusion Team.

Has extensive IT knowledge of the LIMS and analytical middleware used in the department.

Please see attached job description for more information.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• MScin Haematology/Blood Transfusion or equivalent (or relevant experience equating to masters level in Blood Transfusion)
• State registered with the Health & Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of CPD
• Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

Knowledge and Skills

• Detailed knowledge of theory and analytical techniques in Blood Transfusion
• Knowledge of current trends in Blood Transfusion and the requirements of ISO 15189 :2012/2022 and MHRA
• Specialised knowledge of techniques used in Blood Transfusion analyses.
• Knowledge and understanding of manual techniques used in blood transfusion

Experience

• Experience in all areas of clinical Blood Transfusion.
• Experience of organising groups of Staff.
• Experience of more complicated techniques used in Blood Transfusion.

Personal Attributes

• Methodical and able to organise own and others workload
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to make decisions without referring to their manager
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good leadership qualities
• Ability to produce results within set deadlines
• Flexibility to deal with unexpected situations
• Tact and diplomacy
• Enthusiasm and desire to develop knowledge and skills

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.