Job overview
Are you a dynamic Blood Transfusion professional with a proactive approach and a passion for patient safety? Do you thrive on taking initiative and leading improvements. If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and innovative Blood Transfusion Manager who is ready to step into their next challenge and drive excellence, governance and continuous improvements across our transfusion service.
Our core purpose is making a positive difference to people’s lives health and wellbeing through science, innovation and high-quality diagnostics. If this is something you are passionate about and your expertise is in transfusion this could be the right role for you.
The Christie Pathology Partnership (CPP) Blood Transfusion Department, based on-site at The Christie Hospital, is seeking an experienced and motivated Departmental Manager to join our Blood Sciences team.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a busy, high-quality diagnostic service at one of the UK’s most respected specialist hospitals. This is a unique and exciting time to join CPP, as we move into a new purpose- built pathology facility-offering significant scope to innovate and actively shape the design of a laboratory tailored to how you want to work. The role operates within core laboratory hours only (Monday to Friday), with no requirement for shift or out-of-hours work.
Main duties of the job
The Blood Transfusion Manager plays a pivotal role in delivering a high-quality service to clinicians and patients, ensuring it consistently meets the needs of the Christie population. Drawing on expert knowledge of transfusion theory and practice, you will provide strategic and operational oversight of transfusion services, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory standards including MHRA and UKAS requirements. You will play a key role in shaping service development, enhancing quality and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
You will be HCPC registered with a Specialist Diploma in Blood Transfusion or equivalent and MSc qualified in Transfusion. We also require substantial post-senior level experience working in blood transfusion laboratory and prior management experience or training.
SYNLAB offer specific personal development programs for managers and leaders. You would be encouraged to complete the management development program enabling you to develop your skills. We are a very friendly, close-knit team and there are many opportunities for development and CPD with the joint venture. CPP have also recently launched a Research and Innovation Committee which oversees a new Innovation Accelerator Fund to advance research, innovation and development initiatives.
Working for our organisation
CPP was formed in 2014 and is a joint venture between The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and SYNLAB, the largest provider of laboratory pathology and diagnostic services in Europe. We provide Pathology services for The Christie and other healthcare providers regionally and nationally.The Christie is the largest single cancer centre site in Europe treating more than 60,000 patients a year, and the first UK centre to be accredited as a comprehensive cancer centre.
We operate from within on-site pathology laboratories and serve a population of more than 3.2 million. Our laboratories also provide testing, screening and assay development to support The Christie’s early phase clinical trials, with around 200 trials underway at any one time
CPP delivers a high quality, responsive pathology diagnostic service to The Christie and other healthcare providers regionally and nationally.
CPP are UKAS accredited against the ISO15189:2022 standard. Our Transfusion laboratory processes approximately 12000 group and screen samples per year and issues approximately 12000 red cells and 5000 platelets per year. The laboratory is equipped with Bio-Rad IH500 analysers, Contronics alarm system and Technidata LIMS. The repertoire is automated group and screen, manual crossmatching, electronic issue and antibody investigation. There is a large haematology and transplantation unit, and you will work closely with the stem cell departmental manager and transfusion practitioners.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The purpose of the Job is:
• To organise and manage a team of Biomedical Scientists, Junior staff and Support staff performing Biomedical analyses and processes
• To ensure a high quality of analysis agreed quality standards of service delivery and key performance indicators.
• To provide an expert level of theoretical and practical knowledge to the laboratory service
• To be responsible for and ensure that specialist training is delivered to Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Support Workers and other Healthcare Professionals and to provide expert technical advice in areas of responsibility to all Healthcare Professionals.
• Ensure that all areas of responsibility comply with all relevant current and future legislation and complies with the requirements of Medical Laboratories UKAS 15189:2022, MHRA and the recommendations from the Royal College of Pathologists and similar professional organisations.
• To provide professional leadership to Biomedical Scientist Team Managers, Specialist Biomedical Scientists, Trainees BMS and Pathology Support staffs
• To undertake research, conduct audits, produce reports and present findings to Healthcare professionals as required.
• To continue with personal development through Academic or practical experience.
What you will do is:
• Organise and manage a team of Biomedical Scientists, Junior staff and Support staff performing Biomedical analyses and processes, managing workload processing to comply with both Quality Standards and Key Performance Indicators
• Maintain the standards of conduct required by the Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Biomedical Scientist
• Provide expert technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests, timescales and scientific guidance as required.
• Have expert analytical and technical knowledge to perform and manage specialist analytical procedures
• Ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management, including;
o Healthcare Professions Council Accreditation (HCPC)
o UK Accreditation Service
o CPP policies and SOPs
o MHRA
o HTA
o HFEA
o Any other body in area of responsibility
• Produce and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Manage the introduction of new technologies/processes and to maximise the benefits accrued
• To be responsible for External and Internal Quality Assurance in area of responsibility. Reporting on and completing corrective actions required to address any areas of poor performance, including, where required, staff performance management.
• Ensure all documentation required for Quality Management System is recorded and maintained
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include highly complex information and/or results.
• Plan and organise audits and audit calendar
• Chair/lead and/or participate in Technical, Training Quality, Audit and Management meetings,
• Attend HTT, HTC, transfusion incident and MBL meetings
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory. Maintaining software systems and updating as required.
• Attendance at LIMS user groups as required. and prioritise work allocations, training plans, for both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
• Provide management, training and professional leadership to staff in your area of responsibility, this includes monitoring their performance against laboratory standards and their training plans.
• Provide management cover, as required, for other senior colleagues
• To conduct appraisals and performance reviews
• To manage sickness absence according to appropriate policy
• Demonstrate on-going competency against training plans and by peer assessment and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities through academic or practical experience
• Report and investigate all incidents and adverse events entering the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner, conducting Root Cause analysis and remedial action as required
• Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and by peer assessment and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities through academic or practical experience
• Observe safety regulations and update mandatory fire, manual handling and other essential training as required and ensure all staff are compliant within required timeframes.
• Risk assessment monitoring according to CPP procedure/policies.
• Ensure that all equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP’s.
• To have knowledge of and complete COSHH assessments as required.
• Management of consumables and conduct stocktakes in line with CPP policies
• To assist in Clinical trials in areas of responsibility as directed.
• Initiate changes in procedures or policies to induce service development
• Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff
At SYNLAB, we believe in nurturing a culture of well-being and ensuring our employees are supported both professionally and personally. We're thrilled to offer an competitive rewards package, including our incredible Wellbeing Allowance worth up to £1500 per annum.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist with evidence of Continued Professional Development
2. MSc with transfusion/transplantation specialist of at least 45 level 7 CATS points or evidence of masters level learning equivalent to 180 Level 7 CATS points with at least 45 CATS points in transfusion
3. IBMS Specialist portfolio in Transfusion Science
Desirable criteria
4. FIBMS by examination in blood transfusion or transfusion science
5. Supervision, Training, management training
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Substantial post-senior level experience working in blood transfusion laboratory
7. Management qualification or relevant experience
Desirable criteria
8. Strong leadership qualities
9. Has attended supplier courses relevant to post
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Expert interpretive and diagnostic skills.
11. Knowledge of National guidelines and protocols relating to specific discipline
12. Able to prioritise own workload and of others in team.
13. Able to supervise non-registered and less experienced staff to ensure effective service and care delivery.
14. Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk and promote patient safety.
15. Proficient in the use of LIMS systems and applications.
Desirable criteria
16. Able to contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/protocols/guidelines relevant to area of practice
17. Knowledge of major incident plan
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.