Blood Transfusion Laboratory Manager

Job responsibilities

Transfusion specific responsibilities:

To maintain relationships with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

To maintain relationships with the NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) and users of the service.

To liaise with the Transfusion Nurse Specialists (TNS) for continuing improvement in the provision of the service to the Trust and other agencies.

To participate in Hospital Transfusion Committee (HTC) meetings.

To review and implement national transfusion guidelines.

To ensure the laboratory computer system is sensitive to Blood Transfusion requirements and appropriate business continuity plans exist in the event of failure.

Responsible for quality issues within the blood transfusion laboratory to ensure compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 (and amendments) including:

Completion of the annual Blood Compliance Report for submission to the MHRA.

Maintenance of the cold chain and temperature controlled facilities.

Maintenance of the quality management system.

Document review and control.

Validation of equipment and processes.

Management of change control.

Ensure completion of own training and competency and relevant transfusion training and competency for all staff.

Ensure completion of own annual update in good manufacturing practice (GMP) and completion of GMP update for all staff.

Participation in local Trust and national audits in transfusion.

To report any transfusion incidents to the Serious Adverse Blood Reactions and Events (SABRE) / Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme as appropriate.

Technical and Scientific:

Maintain and assure UKAS accreditation for own discipline.

Responsible for the quality of results ensuring that all activities are undertaken in line with document control and quality management systems.

Ensure own discipline participates in External Quality Assurance schemes appropriate for the repertoire and that reports are reviewed and actioned as necessary.

Select referral laboratories and monitor the quality of their service.

Devise, implement and participate in appropriate training and competency strategies for service area.

Ensure staff are trained and competent to undertake their duties.

Ensure compliance with Trust incident, risk and governance policies.

Ensure effective risk assessment and risk management within the discipline.

Ensure timely investigation of incidents to include root cause analysis and implementation of recommendations/learning actions as appropriate. Review incidents to include trend analysis.

Ensure COSHH assessments are performed and maintained.

Ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott Guidelines.

Utilise the Laboratory Information System, email, internet and other software packages as required to create specialist reports. This will include complex manipulation of data.

Maintain personal appropriate level of training, competency and continued professional development.

Maintain registration with Health and Care Professions Council.

Service development:

Work closely with the Pathology management team to ensure that Pathology provides optimum quality of care in line with national healthcare standards.

Maintain awareness of regulatory changes that impact on laboratory operations.

Ensure implementation of policies for service improvement and propose policy changes that may impact within and beyond own area.

Introduce, maintain and improve methodologies encouraging innovations that enhance the effectiveness of the laboratory service.

Operational management:

Ensure that there are appropriate numbers of staff with the required education, training and competence to provide laboratory services that meet the needs and requirements of the users.

Ensure effective staff deployment to cover all shifts.

Design and implement a Business Continuity Plan to ensure that essential services are available during emergency situations or other conditions when laboratory services are limited or unavailable.

Lead the recruitment and induction of new staff.

Manage and undertake appraisals in line with Trust policy.

Manage the team in line with HR policies, including capability, attendance and disciplinary.

Contribute to the acquisition, control and utilisation of stock and consumables.

Manage the purchase, ordering and procurement processes of the laboratory.

Monitor workload and financial information for the service, contributing to reports as required.

Delegated budget holder responsibility for the management of resources within the financial constraints of the service.

Liaise with other Laboratory Managers to ensure appropriate managerial cover for planned absence.

Liaise with Senior BMS who will act as deputy when required with support from other Laboratory Managers.

Education & Qualification

Essential

• oHCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist
• oBiomedical Science degree or equivalent
• oAppropriate Post Graduate Masters degree or equivalent.
• oEvidence of CPD

Desirable

• oHolding or working towards a qualification that supports management responsibilities

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• oHighly specialist knowledge and experience in an area relevant to the position
• oExtensive practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory
• oExperience of managing people and leadership
• oExperience of Pathology IT systems
• oPractical experience of Quality Management Systems
• oExperience of performing and evaluating Risk Assessments
• oTo have undertaken audit activities

Desirable

• oEuropean Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
• oPrevious relevant experience of working in the NHS
• oFinancial management
• oProject management
• oRelevant scientific publications

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• oSupervision and training of staff
• oExcellent verbal and written communication skills
• oProven influencing and negotiating skills at all levels
• oInterpretation and analytical skills
• oDemonstrable mentoring skills
• oDemonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently
• oAble to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service
• oAbility to concentrate for prolonged periods of time

Desirable

• oService planning
• oKnowledge of quality management and accreditation systems
• oKnowledge of Laboratory Safety

Personal Qualities

Essential

• oHigh level of accuracy and attention to detail
• oCredible and effective leadership qualities.
• oStrives for excellence.
• oSelf-motivated and able to motivate others
• oAbility to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service
• oAbility to work with minimal supervision.
• oAbility to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands.
• oPuts the patient first in everything that is undertaken
• oAwareness of self and impact on others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).