Qualified Blood Bank Technician

Hashtag Nonprofit NPC; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 417 000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization is seeking a Qualified Blood Bank Technician in Pietermaritzburg. Responsibilities include routine testing, equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate must be HPCSA registered and demonstrate skills in laboratory operations. The contract is permanent with full-time hours, including potential shift work.

Qualifications

• HPCSA registration as Medical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion) required.
• Detail-oriented with a good understanding of relevant procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine testing functions in blood banks according to SOP.
• Check blood product stock levels and report expired units.
• Maintain instruments and laboratory cleanliness according to standards.

Skills

Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook

Understanding of relevant legislation

Education

HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion)

Job description

Qualified Blood Bank Technician / Technologist

South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Deadline: 17 November 2025

Region: Pietermaritzburg, KZN

Salary: R 416,307.00

Type of employment: Full time

Job Description

Listing reference: sanbs_002985

Location: Pietermaritzburg

Contract: Permanent

Business Unit: Edendale

Qualified Blood Bank Technician to perform routine testing functions (manual and automated) in blood banks including, but not limited to, compatibility, post-natal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations according to Standard Operating Procedures and the Standards of Practice for Blood Transfusion in South Africa.

Qualified Blood Bank Technologist to perform routine testing functions in Blood Banks including, but not limited to, compatibility, postnatal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations. To check and verify test results performed by Registered Blood Bank Technicians, Registered Trainee Technicians and Registered Student Technologists.

Roles and Responsibilities

Qualified Blood Bank Technician

• Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes.
• Check blood and blood product stock levels. Report expired units.
• Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.
• Dispose of waste according to SOP.
• Prepare documentation for waste traceability.
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the waste disposal company.

KPA 2 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

• Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
• Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
• Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

• Ensure that all policies, documentation and SOPs are read, understood and maintained for competency.
• Comply with Standard of practice, SHEQ and accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to continuous safety and quality improvement.
• Maintain the number of minor and major deficiencies at or below the agreed amount per site.

KPA 4 Customer Relations

• Document customer complaints/compliments/queries and forward documentation to the Supervisor.
• Interact professionally and courteously with internal and external customers.

Blood Bank Technologist

KPA 1 Operational Objectives

• Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes.
• Report situations where the critical and non-critical consumables are not available after hours to the Blood Bank (BB) Supervisor.
• Deputise for Shift Supervisor/BB Supervisor when absent or unavailable.
• Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.
• Dispose of waste according to SOP.
• Prepare documentation for waste traceability.
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company.

KPA 2 Specialist Technical Functions

• Check and verify test results performed by registered technicians, registered trainee technicians and registered student technologists.
• Assist BB Supervisor with training and competency assessments.
• Perform secondary testing, including problem cross matches, postnatal, antibody investigations and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations within required timeframes and according to SOP specifications.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

• Check equipment to ensure all instrumentation and equipment is in working order according to SOP criteria.
• Check blood and blood product stock levels, including identifying and reporting of expired units.
• Ensure all policies, documents and relevant SOP’s are read, understood and maintained for competency.
• Comply with standards of practice, accreditation, QC testing, proficiency testing and safety requirements and contribute to continuous quality improvement.
• Keep informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing and acquisition of required CPD points according to IPA specifications.
• Assist the BB Supervisor with Risk tasks allocated within the agreed timeframes.

KPA 4 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

• Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
• Check all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
• Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 5 Customer Relations

• Document customer complaints/compliments/queries and forward documentation to the BB Supervisor.
• Interact professionally with medical staff and provide efficient responses to routine queries.

KPA 6 General Functions

• Perform Shift Supervisor functions and related duties when required to facilitate efficient laboratory operation.
• Conduct miscellaneous routine laboratory tasks as directed by supervisors and senior staff to ensure efficient laboratory run.
• Attend meetings to ensure relevant information is acquired.

Qualifications And Requirements

Education

• HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).

Experience And Knowledge Requirements

• As per HPCSA registration requirement as Medical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).
• Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Understanding of relevant legislation and company procedures.

Special Circumstances

• Overtime as and when required.
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled.
• Occasional local and national travel.
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility.
• Detail conscious.
• Proficient eye‑sight.
• Person must not be colour‑blind.

How to apply

Register and apply online on the SANBS website.

More about this vacancy

Date posted: 06 November 2025