Job overview
** Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust and are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position **
You will be part of the Transfusion Practitioner Team, working trust-wide to ensure the safe and appropriate use of blood, in compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR) 2005 and Health Service Circulars Better Blood Transfusion. This will be achieved through the monitoring, dissemination and implementation of strategies that promote an efficient and patient-focused blood transfusion service.
Main duties of the job
1. Educate and competency assess staff involved in the blood transfusion process
2. Provide expert advice on transfusion practice
3. Discuss the benefits, risks and alternatives to transfusion with patients.
4. Investigate and report transfusion related incidents, support implementation of corrective actions and provide feedback to staff
5. Undertake regular audits of transfusion practices
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
6. Ensure Trust wide compliance with local transfusion policy and agreed guidelines/procedures
7. Promote strategies to improve the transfusion service and use of blood
8. Ensure staff involved in the blood transfusion process have access to high standards of training and education
9. Act as a link between the clinical areas and the laboratory
10. Promote a culture of patient safety
Person specification
skills, Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. Registered Nurse or Midwife.
12. Minimum 2 years post-registration experience
13. Evidence of continued professional development, including evidence of a particular interest in blood transfusion.
14. Knowledge of current transfusion practice.
15. Experience of working in an area with high blood component usage.
16. Teaching experience.
17. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
18. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and service users, providing transfusion related advice, as required.
19. Good handover skills.
20. Excellent teaching skills. Able to identify training needs and tailor training/use a variety of different resources to meet individual needs.
21. Able to plan and manage own workload.
22. Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, email).
23. Able to prepare training presentations and reports for transfusion meetings.
24. Knowledge of hospital computer systems.
25. Excellent record-keeping skills.
26. Able to collect, analyse and interpret data.
27. Able to demonstrate critical thinking skills, problem-solve and make recommendations for solutions.
28. Able to travel between sites and to offsite locations (as required).
29. Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
30. Professional role model.
31. Able to motivate staff.
32. Able to deliver transfusion training to staff of all grades and roles
33. Assist team to plan, implement and evaluate educational support strategies for identified groups.
34. Willing and able to learn new skills
35. Able to identify own learning needs for professional and personal development.
36. Experience of administering blood components in clinical practice.
37. Knowledge of and specialist interest in blood transfusion practice.
38. Work within codes of practice and according to professional standards and guidelines.
39. Able to escalate appropriately and recognise own limits.
40. Able to work autonomously and part of a team.
41. Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the service.
Desirable criteria
42. Attendance at conferences/symposia to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of transfusion related issues.
43. Driving licence.
44. Experience of contributing to policy development and promoting implementation of new policies.
45. Experience of using Blood360 or other blood tracking systems.
46. Knowledge of a variety of Trust Patient information systems.
47. Knowledge of changing demands on service
48. Involvement in the collation, analysis and interpretation of local data (e.g. audit or incidents).
49. Collaborative working within the Trust to find and implement corrective/ preventative actions.
50. Experience of participating in investigation and analysis of local incidents
51. Experience of performing audits.
52. Mentoring experience.
53. Experience of acting as a competency assessor.
54. Evidence of effective communication with external organisations
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications