Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and dedicated Transfusion Practitioner to join the Transfusion team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust based at Worthing Hospital.
This is a rewarding role within a supportive and progressive transfusion service, where you will work closely with the wider Transfusion Practitioner team across UHS Pathology NHS Trust sites.
We are seeking a motivated individual who is passionate about patient safety and keen to contribute to a dynamic, collaborative service that delivers a meaningful impact every day.
As a Transfusion Practitioner, you will play a key role in promoting safe and effective blood transfusion practice, supporting clinical teams, and driving continuous improvement across the organisation. You will bring strong professional expertise, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to enhancing patient outcomes.
Applicants must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), as appropriate, and practise in accordance with the relevant professional codes of conduct. Ongoing Continuing Professional Development, in line with NMC/HCPC requirements, is essential and fully supported within the role.
If you are ready to further develop your expertise, work within an engaged multidisciplinary team, and make a vital contribution to patient safety and high-quality care, we would be delighted to hear from you.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
This role provides independent quality governance support and acts as a clinical advisor to managers.
The post holder serves as a subject matter expert within the wider Transfusion Team, promoting safe, appropriate, and effective transfusion practice across the Trust, including attendance at transfusion committee meetings. They work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams Trust-wide to support safe, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective transfusion practice.
Working autonomously within their remit, and under the strategic guidance of the Lead Transfusion Practitioners, the post holder delivers staff training and competency assessments, undertakes audits, and investigates incidents such as inappropriate transfusions, transfusion reactions, and other related events.
The role is responsible for supporting compliance with Blood Safety and Quality Regulations, providing expert advice to clinicians on complex transfusion decisions, including during major haemorrhage situations.
In addition, the post holder leads policy development, quality improvement initiatives, guideline production, and service development projects such as massive haemorrhage audits, traceability improvements, and specialty-focused education programmes.
They also work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance with BSQR standards, support Patient Blood Management implementation, and assist during inspections or compliance visits by regulatory authorities.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The purpose of the role is to lead on the promotion of safe and highly specialist Blood Transfusion practices at University Hospital Sussex (UHSx) NHS Foundation Trust and working with colleagues at UHSx sites to enact throughout the Trust.
This post supports the divisional objectives by aiming to reduce transfusion-related risks (improving patient safety, and ensuring compliance), optimising use of blood products (reducing wastage and supporting cost-effectiveness), supporting clinical education and competency (improving standards of care.)
The service is responsible for the provision of Blood Transfusion at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Royal Alexander Children’s Hospital (RACH), Brighton General Hospital (BGH), Victoria Hospital Lewes (VHL), St Richards Hospital (SRH), Worthing General Hospital (WGH), Martlet’s hospice and General Practitioners (GP) through Primary Care Trust’s (PCT).
· This role independently provides quality governance support and acts as a clinical advisory to managers, they do not usually have any direct clinical activity.
· Acts as a subject-matter lead within the wider Transfusion Team and sharing learning, primarily promoting safe and appropriate transfusion practice across the Trust and attending transfusion committee meetings.
· Works closely with staff from all relevant disciplines Trust wide to promote safe, appropriate and economic transfusion practice within the Trust
· Works autonomously within their remit, although guided by the Lead Transfusion Practitioners for strategic direction.
· Delivers staff training & competency assessments
· Conducts audits and investigating incidents e.g review inappropriate transfusions, investigate reactions/incidents.
· Ensures compliance with Blood Safety & Quality Regulations
· Actively supports clinicians on complex transfusion decisions e.g provides advice during major haemorrhage calls.
· Leads on policy development, develops quality improvement initiatives, produces guidelines and updates.
· Contributes to service improvements, although does not hold direct responsibility for strategic decision-making.
· Actively lead in specialised projects (e.g. Massive Haemorrhage audits, traceability improvements, specialty-focused education).
· Instrumental in the roll-out of digital changes e.g., electronic transfusion systems.
· Work closely with all regulatory bodies for full BSQR compliance, PBM Implementation and be able to assist with any compliance visit by the regulatory authorities.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Professional registration with a UK regulatory body: •Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or •Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
2. Degree in a relevant subject: •Nursing •Biomedical Science •Haematology or transfusion science
3. Extensive transfusion-related experience, including: •Demonstrable post-registration clinical experience in healthcare
4. •Must demonstrate experience of blood transfusion practice in an acute hospital environment either via laboratory work or in administration of blood products
5. •Proven experience in delivering training to various audiences.
6. •Experience in clinical governance and risk management
7. •Experience investigating errors incidents and transfusion reactions and producing root cause analysis reports
8. Experience in working with national bodies such as: •NHS Blood and Transplant •Serious Hazards of Transfusion.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
9. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
10. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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