Donation Testing Technician/ Technologist

South African National Blood Service; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 389,000 - 458,000; Full time

Job summary

South African National Blood Service invites applications for a Donation Testing Technologist. The role covers rotational testing in Virology, Blood Grouping and NAT within the Donation Testing Department, requiring multi-skilling across testing systems and adherence to SOPs and quality controls.

The incumbent will support the Head of Lab, perform routine and confirmatory testing, and contribute to timely reporting. Eligible HPCSA registration is required; shift work may be involved.

Qualifications

• Perform rotational routine Virology, Blood Grouping and NAT testing in the Donation Testing Department.
• Be multi-skilled across testing sections including ABO, Rh typing, serology and NAT testing.
• Maintain SOP compliance and quality across all testing platforms.

Responsibilities

• Receive, check and prepare samples for testing per SOP and IPA criteria.
• Prepare Blood Grouping instrumentation and reagents for testing.
• Perform automated and manual blood grouping and confirmatory testing for donors.
• Run reports and manage anomalous results with timely follow-up.
• Perform NAT and Virology testing on donations.
• Maintain instrument maintenance and quality compliance per SOP.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Customer service

Integrity

Education

HPCSA Registered Blood Transfusion Laboratory Technician or Technologist

Job description

Listing reference: sanbs_003407

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 18 August 2026

Position summary

Job category: Health, Fitness, Medical and Optometry

Contract: Permanent

Business Unit: Mount Edgecombe

Remuneration: R 457,896.00

EE position: No

Introduction

Donation Testing Technologist. The incumbent will perform rotational routine Virology, Blood Grouping and NAT testing in the Donation Testing Department. Perform additional support duties when the technical specialists are not available.Donation Testing Technician to be multi-skilled in the Donation Testing Department to perform routine testing and where required second line / confirmatory testing for Blood Grouping (including but not limited to ABO, Rh, Irregular antibody screen, antibody identification, allo-agglutinin titre and syphilis testing), Virology (including but not limited to serological testing for HIV, HCV, HBV), biochemical testing for Serum Ferritin and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (including but not limited to HBV DNA, HIV and HCV RNA). The role requires skills and knowledge of different technical principals such as molecular, chemistry, immunohematology etc. across all testing sections requiring competency across multiple testing systems/automated platforms.

• Ensure operational objectives in the Blood Grouping Section are realised.
• Ensure operational objectives in the Virology Section are realised
• Ensure operational objectives in the NAT Section are realised
• Ensure Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance has been accomplished.
• Ensure Quality compliance has been achieved in accordance with SOP specifications.
• Ensure Specialist Technical / Operational Objectives are achieve

Key Performace Areas

1. Ensure operational objectives in the Blood Grouping Section are realised.

1.1. Receive, check and prepare samples for testing according to SOP and IPA criteria as well as thespecifications of the individual sections. This includes sample receipt procedures and decapping ofsamples. Perform manual tracking and scanning of barcodes when automated decapper is not inoperation.
1.2. Prepare Blood Grouping instrumentation and reagents for testing in accordance with manufacturerspecifications. Ensure that sufficient reagents are available for daily testing.
1.3. Perform automated testing according to SOP and ISC criteria for all donors, including second ABOon first time donors:
1.3.1. ABO Grouping.
1.3.2. Rh typing.
1.3.3. Testing for atypical antibodies.
1.3.4. Testing for alloagglutinin titre.
1.3.5. Screening for Syphilis.
1.3.6. Identification of atypical antibodies in donors
1.4. Run reports, select samples and perform automated repeat blood group testing of samples withanomalous first line results according to SOP and IPA criteria.
1.5. Perform second line / repeat testing of samples with anomalous results within the agreed number ofworking days from the initial testing date and prioritise accordingly so as to ensure a timeousresponse in the case of ‘specials’.
1.6. Enter results (ABO and Rh) and control information into eProgesa to ensure that all relevantinformation is available and accurate. Inform Technical Specialist or Head of Lab as soon aspossible so that they can ensure that results are checked and confirmed within agree time frames.
1.7. Send samples with anomalous blood grouping results to Red Cell Serology laboratory forconfirmatory / supplementary testing as required.
1.8. Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity. Report any anomalies or failures to therelevant technical specialist or Head of Lab as soon as possible.
1.9. Report all errors and breakdowns to relevant Head of Lab and work in such a way so as to minimiseuser errors.
1.10. Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.
1.11. Perform automated Rh and Kell Phenotyping and other required testing on the current automatione.g. PK7400 instrument.
1.12. Perform automated antibody screening and antibody identification on the current automation e.g.the IH1000 instrument.

2. Ensure operational objectives in the Virology Section are realised.

2.1. Prepare Virology instrumentation and reagents in accordance with manufacturer specificationsand SOP. Ensure that sufficient reagents are available for daily testing.
2.2. Perform automated virology screening on all blood donations for HBsAg, anti-HIV 1 & 2 and anti-HCV according to SOP and ISC criteria on the current automation e.g. Abbott Alinity S.
2.3. Select samples from instrument printouts and perform automated repeat viral testing of samplesfound to be reactive in first line screening according to SOP and ISC criteria.
2.4. Perform automated Serum Ferritin screening on blood donations according to SOP and ISC criteriaon the current automation e.g. the Beckman Coulter DXI800.
2.5. Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity and report any failures / anomalies tothe relevant technical specialist or Head of Lab.
2.6. Perform all procedures in such a way so as to maximise kit performance and usage and minimisedowntime and wastage.
2.7. Report all errors and breakdowns to the technical specialist / Head of Lab and work in such a wayso as to ensure that these amount to less than the agreed upon percentage of total processes permonth
2.8. Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.

3. Ensure operational objectives in the NAT Section are realised.

3.1. Prepare NAT instrumentation and reagents in accordance with manufacturer specifications andSOPs. Ensure that there are sufficient reagents on each instrument for the required testing.
3.2. Perform routine automated Molecular assays for HIV RNA, HCV RNA and HBV DNA according toSOP and ISC criteria on the current automation e.g. the Grifols Panther.
3.3. Select samples from instrument printouts and perform automated repeat molecular testing ofsamples found to be initial reactive according to SOP and ISC.
3.4. Work NAT night shift or an early morning shift without direct supervision as required ensuring timeousrelease of results.
3.5. Liaise with Service engineer after hours and give accurate information on instrument breakdown toassist with troubleshooting.
3.6. Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity and report any failures / anomalies tothe relevant technical specialist, NAT Manager or Head of NAT as soon as possible.
3.7. Perform all procedures in such a way so as to maximise kit performance and usage and minimisedowntime and wastage.
3.8. Report all errors and breakdowns to relevant Head of Lab or technical specialist and work in such away so as to minimise user errors.
3.9. Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.
3.10. Attend User meetings and give users views and opinions.
3.11. Apply molecular techniques in order to minimise contamination.

4. Ensure instrument and Laboratory Maintenance has been accomplished.

4.1. Be multi-skilled to perform scheduled daily, weekly, monthly or as required instrument andlaboratory maintenance in all 3 sections (NAT, Virology and Blood Grouping) on a number ofdifferent instruments:, according to SOP criteria and manufacturer specifications. Perform troubleshooting and maintenance on the following instruments (including but not limited to):
4.1.1. Virology e.g. Abbott Alinity, Beckman Coulter DxI.
4.1.2. NAT e.g. Grifols Panther
4.1.3. Blood grouping e.g. Beckman Coulter PK7400, BioRad IH1000, Grifols WA Diana/Eflexis. Elgawater system
4.1.4. Pre-analytical instruments e.g. Beckman Coulter Automate and Roche p512.
4.2. Keep accurate records of maintenance performed (complete documentation as per SOP).
4.3. Dispose of samples, used reagents and waste material according to health and safety regulationsand SOP. Perform Waste Controller duties and ensure that the waste management system (e.g. CSTracker) is followed.

5. Quality compliance has been achieved in accordance with SOP specifications.

5.1. Be multi-skilled to test internal and external quality controls and proficiency panels in all 3 sections (NAT, Virology and Blood Grouping) according to SOP and to agreed timelines and record results.
5.2. Contribute to SOP compilation by reading new and revised versions within the required timeframe,assisting with the validation processes and maintaining competency for the stipulated standardoperating procedures,
5.3. Complete GLP and statistics worksheets daily so as to ensure timeous completion.
5.4. Comply with standards of practice and health and safety requirements (such as wearing requiredPPE) and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement.
5.5. Complete all relevant health and safety documentation at the workplace within the agreedtimeframes.
5.6. Strive to remain well informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing as well as toensure acquisition of required CEU points for CPD according to HPCSA regulations and IPAspecifications.

6. General administrative functions have been carried out within specified timeframes.

6.1. Assist with stock checks and packing of stock so as to maintain adequate stock levels according toISC specifications. Inform Head of Lab of low stock levels.
6.2. Perform other job related duties as and when required by the section Head of Lab or manager soas to facilitate efficient running of the laboratory.
6.3. Assist in Quality and Projects section (including Bio-repository in KZN) during staff leave or busy times
6.4. Attend and contribute to department meetings
6.5. Assist with evaluations, trials and installations of instrumentation.
6.6. Assist with second line / confirmatory testing in all 3 sections as and when required.

1. Cognitive

• Analytical Thinking andAttention to Detail
• Problem Solving.

2. Personal

• Ethical behaviour
• PersonalDevelopment
• Integrity and trust
• Perseverance

3. Interpersonal

• Customer Service Orientation.
• Teamwork
• Knowledge Sharing

4. Prof. technical

• SystemsCompetence
• Laboratory skills.
• Blood groupingknowledge.
• Virologyknowledge.
• Molecular Skills.

Education

• HPCSA Registered Blood Transfusion Laboratory Technician or Technologist

Experience and knowledge requirements.

• 1 Year of Blood Transfusion Experience

Special Circumstances.

• Overtime as and when required
• May be required to work shifts and night shift as rostered