Qualified Blood Bank Technician / Technologist

South African National Blood Service; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A national health organization is seeking a Qualified Blood Bank Technician to perform essential operational functions and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP). The role requires HPCSA registration as a Biomedical Technician/Technologist in Blood Transfusion and entails responsibilities in quality improvement and equipment maintenance. Candidates should possess strong computer skills and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Medical Technician / Technologist in Blood Transfusion as required by HPCSA.
• Ability to work overtime, shifts, and weekends as required.
• Must not be color blind and should have proficient eyesight.

Responsibilities

• Perform operational functions following SOPs.
• Conduct quality and risk assessments and contribute to safety improvements.
• Oversee equipment maintenance and report defects promptly.

Skills

Computer Literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook

Attention to detail

Education

HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion)

Job description

Job Description

Qualified Blood Bank Technician

KPA 1 Operational Objectives

• 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 and participate in continuous safety and quality improvement
• Perform processes to ensure that the number of minor and major deficiencies is less than 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 but not limited to, 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 that 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 that all policies, documents and relevant SOPs are read and understood and maintain competency for the stipulated standard operating procedures
• Comply with standards of practice, accreditation, QC testing, proficiency testing and safety requirements and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement
• Strive to remain well informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing as well as to ensure 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 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 5 Customer Relations

• Document customer complaints / compliments / queries and forward documentation to the BB Supervisor
• Interact professionally with medical staff and ensure an adequate and efficient response to routine queries

KPA 6 General Functions

• Perform Shift Supervisor functions and other related duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the laboratory
• Perform miscellaneous routine laboratory tasks and other job‑related duties when required by the supervisors and other senior staff so as to facilitate efficient running of the laboratory
• Attend meetings to ensure that relevant information is acquired

Special Circumstances (E.G. Travel, Working After Hours etc.)

• Overtime as and when required
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled
• Occasional local and national travel
• Call out system
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility
• Proficient eye‑sight

Minimum Requirements

Education

• HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion)

Experience And Knowledge Requirements

• As per HPCSA registration requirement as Medical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion)

Other (knowledge and skills)

• Computer Literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook

Special Circumstances (E.G. Travel, Working After Hours etc.)

• 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 cannot be colour blind