Job summary
We are looking for a full time permanent Specialist BMS inHaematology and Blood Transfusion at CDDFT in our very busy Department of BloodSciences which processes 1500-2000 samples per site each day.
Nominal Base will be Darlington Memorial Hospital but youwill be expected to travel to and work at the other sites within the Trust ifrequired.
We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals tojoin our friendly, dedicated team of professionals. You should be able todemonstrate a broad experience in Haematology and Blood Transfusion at both atechnical and theoretical level. Any specialist knowledge and experience inHaematology microscopy, Coagulation, Haemoglobinopathy screening or serologywould be an advantage.
You will be a proactive member of the Blood Sciences Team,excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential as is theability to work within a team processing a high workload of specimens. Youshould have great multi-tasking ability, have excellent organisational skillsand attention to detail and be able to appropriately prioritise urgent work.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Maintaining and running automated analysers in accordancewith laboratory protocols, performing QC. Investigating and troubleshooting QCfailures and spurious test results.
Performing manual tests and staining and recording the results
Booking patient samples on to the Laboratory Computer Systemand ensuring the correct test requests are inputted. Centrifuging samples.
Authorising results and forwarding abnormals to ConsultantHaematologists as required
Examining blood smears under the microscope and performingmanual differential counts as needed
Managing pending test lists, prioritising urgent work tomeet turnaround times
Performing blood groups and identifying antibodies,crossmatching Blood and products for patients, managing blood stocks
Answering telephone queries and liaising with other Truststaff and the general public.
Stock control including ordering, receiving and receiptingdeliveries, documenting and organising batches of reagents and performingverification tasks
Assist in the training and competency assessment of new Band4 and Band 5 staff and ward staff
Please refer to the Job Description and PersonalSpecification for full details.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Blood Sciences Department is UKAS accredited and part ofyour role will be to complete all required quality documentation includingtraining, competency and CPD.
You must be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, have anIBMS accredited BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and hold an IBMSSpecialist Diploma in Haematology and Blood Transfusion or have significantrelevant experience.
Candidates working towards the Specialist Diploma will beconsidered provided you can demonstrate relevant post registration skills andknowledge with the ability to work at Specialist Band 6 level. Candidates must be able to providedocumentary relevant CPD evidence in support of their application at interview.
The department has a specialist portfolio training programmein place and has a proven track record of success. The successful applicantwill be expected to take an active role in the training and development ofstaff within the department from MLA to Band 5 BMS.
The main automation in Haematology is changing in 2024 toSiemens Hema analysers and stainers, Coagulation ACL TOPS 550 analysers andBlood Transfusion to Ortho automated technology. The LIMS is provided byClinisys Winpath.
Experience of the above is advantageous but not essential asall necessary training will be provided.
Main Specialist BMS tasks are
Performing complex analyses
Authorising results, reflexing tests as required, referringabnormals to Consultants.
Ensuring analysers maintained, calibrated and qualitycontrolled and troubleshooting any issues
Performing Blood groups and antibody identifcation andcrossmatching by both manual and automated techniques.
Providing Blood and products in a timely manner in emergencysituations, you must be able to prioritise, multi-task, keep calm and haveexcellent communiation skills in emergency scenarios.
Managing blood and blood product stock
Training and supervising Band4 and Band 5 staff
The department operates a 24/7 shift system coveringdayshifts, late shifts, nightshifts weekends and Bank Holidays which thesuccessful applicant must participate in. There is currently one BMS coveringHaem/BT on each site after 2030 and at weekends.
Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meetthe needs of the service.
A visit to the laboratory is highly recommended to thoseinterested in this post.
For Informal Enquiries Contact:
Joanne Lawson, Blood sciences departmental manager UHND
0191 333 2628
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
1. Organisational skills
2. Ability to prioritise
3. Good Communication
4. Relevant theoretical knowledge and practical experience
5. Precise and accurate work performance
Desirable
6. Additional responsibilities H&S nominee, COSHH, risk assessor
Qualifications
Essential
7. BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
8. IBMS Specialist Diploma in a Biomedical Science specialty relevant to the post, or demonstrate equivalent additional professional development, training and education with appropriate relevant post registration experience.
9. Demonstrate evidence of on-going CPD.
Desirable
10. Specialist training courses attended
11. Analyser training courses attended
Experience
Essential
12. 2 years post registration experience in a similar or larger establishment as BMS Band 5
Desirable
13. Where appropriate: Multi-discipline work.
14. Additional Pathology interests or experience of specialist tests
Statutory Registration
Essential
15. HCPC registration through BSc in Biomedical Sciences or relevant equivalent
Desirable
16. Membership of any other professional body IBMS
Special Requirements
Essential
17. Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
18. Able to participate in 24/7 working as required.
19. Working Flexibly