A vacancy has arisen for a full time, permanent, Head of Blood Transfusion, based at the North Middlesex University Hospital, Rapid Response Laboratory.
North Middlesex University Hospital is one of London’s busiest acute hospitals, serving more than 350,000 people living in Enfield and Haringey and the surrounding areas, including Barnet and Waltham Forest.
Every day, on average, we see 500 patients in A&E; 15 babies are born in our maternity unit; about 450 inpatients are cared for on our wards; about 50 patients have major or minor surgery in one of our 10 operating theatres; and about 800 people attend our outpatients clinics.
The Haematology and Blood Transfusion Service at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is provided by Health Services Laboratories (HSL). The HSL Haematology and Blood Transfusion department provide an essential 24/7 service to the patients under the care of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. North Middlesex University Hospital has a SHT (Specialist Haemoglobinopathy Team) caring for over 500 patients with inherited red cell disorders many of whom have complex, regular blood transfusion requirements.
Main duties of the job
An enthusiastic, committed, Head of Blood Transfusion, is required, to assist in the daily operation in the Department of Pathology. To take responsibility for staff teams of a variety of grades, ensuring appropriate supervision of activities, such that service, operational and contractual KPIs are met. In particular, the post holder should have excellent knowledge of BSQR and experience of investigating SHOT SABRE events. The post holder will work closely with Senior Biomedical Scientists and other Heads of Department, to ensure that sections are run efficiently and effectively for a high quality and reliable service delivery.
Applicants, ideally should be currently at Senior level or above, with good leadership skills. You would require Excellent clinical, analytical and scientific knowledge of the subject essential, as well as good experience in staff management. The successful applicant will manage a team of BMS, Associate Practitioners and MLAs to ensure an excellent and robust 24/7 service to this very busy local hospital.
About us
Training and development opportunities supporting professional development
Annual salary review - salary and progression are aligned to our internal transparent pay structure, supporting career development and structured annual salary reviews
Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms
Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians
Sick Pay Entitlement one month full pay and one month half pay after probation
Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover
Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness six months qualifying period
Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing
Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket
Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts
Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with service
Competitive annual leave allowance 29 days.
Flexible working hours we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule
Job responsibilities
1. To oversee and (when necessary) participate in the routine processing of specimens and issue of blood components; and to allocate work to the other BMS and MLA staff to ensure a smooth workflow. To ensure a robust rota is in place to provide a 24/7 service.
2. To ensure the maintenance of scientific standards and quality assurance in all areas of the department.
3. To establish systems that ensure that for each sample the appropriate requested investigations are performed in a timely manner, and that agreed turnaround times of samples and results are met. To ensure that results are correctly verified, and appropriate diagnostic comments added before authorisation.
4. To ensure that specialised and urgent specimens are appropriately dealt with.
5. To work with the HSL Quality Management Group to uphold an effective Quality system in Blood Transfusion in accordance with UKAS accreditation requirements (ISO15189).
6. To liaise with the NHSBT reference laboratories and clinicians for the follow-up of specialist investigations or the provision or compatible blood components for patients with complicated serology.
7. To ensure timely and accurate reporting of manual work results with correct follow‑up including input of additional testing requirements, correct report comments, future testing instructions and patient special blood component requirements into the laboratory information system (LIMS).
8. To ensure the correct operation, cleaning and maintenance of laboratory surfaces and equipment and all blood component storage facilities (both within the laboratory and in the clinical areas) according to GMP departmental and manufacturers protocols and procedures.
9. To inspect documentation and records including but not limited to QC, QA, cleaning, maintenance, temperature monitoring, equipment service and repair, incident reports etc. to ensure compliance with GMP standards legal compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR) 2005 and legal compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR) 2005 and any subsequent updates.
10. To be actively involved in the timely development of rotas to provide the appropriate numbers and correct skill mix of staff to support essential daily transfusion services, and to ensure continuous 24/7 cover for the whole Haematology service.
11. To be proficient in the use and functions of the information technology systems within the department, including relevant administrative functions.
12. To ensure the facilities management team maintain adequate supplies of laboratory consumables, reagents; and to ensure adequate supplies of blood component and product stocks.
13. To undertake, (in conjunction with the Quality Manager, Transfusion Practitioners, laboratory and clinical staff as required), investigation of any incident, error, transfusion reaction or other event which may cause a service delivery or quality failure, and to assist in the implementation and documentation of corrective and preventive actions.
14. To advise on equipment and method troubleshooting (including laboratory instrumentation and remote issue blood fridges), and receive reports of situations requiring further action, work with service engineers on fault resolution, reporting and documenting equipment faults and resolutions as per GMP requirements.
15. To supervise and facilitate the maintenance of correct storage of blood components throughout the laboratory and service areas as required, including but not limited to: temperature monitoring (electronic and manual systems) and responding to temperature deviations; arranging and directing stock movement between blood fridges in order to minimise wastage and provide sufficient supplies where needed; initiating blood component recalls as required; correct packing of blood transport containers to GMP standards.
16. To oversee (in liaison with MLA staff, couriers and Transfusion Practitioners) the remote issue of blood in the clinical areas as well as the use of contingency blood storage equipment for planned or unexpected downtime.
17. To ensure hospital compliance with traceability in liaison with the BMS staff, MLA staff and Transfusion Practitioners.
18. To be involved in staff recruitment and to conduct appraisals as required. To approve leave requests, monitor sickness absence and act as first line response in disciplinary, grievance and performance matters.
19. To monitor external quality control submission and compliance, and to contribute to audit activities.
20. To contribute to the maintenance and development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and to ensure that other staff fulfil their responsibilities in this respect.
21. To ensure that the department is meeting its KPIs and any contractual deliverables required.
Training and Education
1. To make sure that the training documentation is up to date and complies with CPA/UKAS, HCPC and IBMS regulations, and to ensure adequate training programmes are in place for junior medical, scientific and support staff. To provide managerial support to the Training Manager and his/her Training Officer.
2. To undertake teaching, competency and induction of new staff in conjunction with other senior biomedical staff, and be actively involved in staff meetings and seminars.
3. To keep abreast of current developments in the field and attend courses and meetings as relevant.
4. To continue own personal and professional development by participation in a recognised CPD scheme, and participation in departmental meetings and case reviews.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Qualification in pathology disciplines consistent with HCPC requirement.
* MSc or equivalent experience in a relevant subject
* Current registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
* Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline
Experience
* Demonstrate experience of working to a laboratory Quality Management System, and full working knowledge of MHRA requirements for a BT laboratory.
* Post-registration experience in a routine diagnostic/clinical laboratory and proficiency in relevant techniques.
* Experience of using a Laboratory Information System.
* Experience of supervising staff and of conducting appraisals.
Skills and Abilities
* Good organisational skills. Ability to work accurately, neatly and efficiently.
* Attention to detail is very important.
* Ability to lead a team.
* Basic Keyboard skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
* Ability to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
* Ability to work on own initiative.
* Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels in English - both verbally and in writing.
* Use of laboratory equipment relevant to the specialty.
* Able to write and review SOPs.
* Experience of utilising statistical analysis software.
Depending on experience: £72,055 per annum DOE inclusive of regional pay allowance.
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