Senior Biomedical Scientist - Blood Transfusion / Quality Lead

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 12 May 2025

Job summary

Birmingham Women's Hospital is seeking a dedicated Senior Biomedical Scientist - Blood Transfusion /Quality Lead to join our dynamic team.

As theBlood Transfusion Band 7 and Quality Lead, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the blood transfusion services, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving quality improvement initiatives. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe and effective blood management across the hospital.

The successful applicant will be a suitably experienced HCPC registered BMS and have a specialist qualification in Blood Transfusion and hold a MSc degree. Applications are welcome from suitably experienced BMS's who are studying towards an MSc or are willing to complete this study.

Good communication and organisational skills are essential for this role. The post holder will also be self motivated and have the ability to effectively manage a team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with the management team in Blood Transfusion to deliver a service compliant with UKAS (ISO15189) and MHRA (BSQR) standards.

For this role you will:

Be responsible for service delivery of the Blood Transfusion laboratory section.

Ensure the QMS is maintained in order to achieve accreditation standards for ISO15189 and MHRA/BSQR.

Lead audits and performance reviews to ensure quality and safety standards are consistently met.

Support major IT projects as directed and agreed by Haematology management team.

Monitor transfusion adverse events, conduct investigations and report findings in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Implement and maintain robust quality assurance processes, e.g. review standard operating procedures, perform audits, conduct proficiency testing, and participate in external quality assessment schemes.

Maintain an effective working team ethos.

Play an active role in managing local HR policies.

Hold a high degree of technical competence for all tests performed in Blood Transfusion.

Have strong personal resilience and ability to manage and balance personal stress levels to be an effective leader.

Train laboratory and clinical colleagues on transfusion medicine principles, safe practices, and emerging technologies in Blood Transfusion.

Act as a point of contact for any issues related to Blood Transfusion, offering expert advice and guidance to clinical teams.

Out of hours working will be dictated by the needs of the service.

About us

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world-leading neo-natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.

Birmingham Children's Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.

Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of two dedicated women's hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0-25 years old.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

284-25-7101755-DMRG

Job locations

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • IBMS Specialist Portfolio
  • MSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent academic achievement (e.g. FIBMS) ratified by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), HSD in Blood Transfusion

Desirable

  • BBTS qualification in Blood Transfusion
  • Quality Management qualification
  • Managerial qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • In depth theoretical understanding of Blood Transfusion.
  • Knowledge of Haematology/ Transfusion quality management and list your specific experience..
  • Significant post registration experience in a specialist BMS role in an NHS Haematology laboratory

Desirable

  • Demonstrate experience of quality assurance and audit practices to UKAS/ISO15189 and BSQR/MHRA standards.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

  • High level of analytical and problem-solving skills when interpreting complex test result data e.g. referral transfusion reports or BMT protocols and highlight your experience..
  • To be able to plan and organise own workflow, prioritise work effectively and give a clear example..
  • Excellent organisational skills and problem-solving skills to ensure smooth running of the laboratory day to day activities.

Desirable

  • Examples of investigating errors and incidents and performing root cause analysis, including reporting to external bodies.
  • Examples of equipment and reagent evaluation, validation, and re-verification.
  • Knowledge and practical skills in Haematology and Coagulation to cross-cover if required.

Professional / Managerial Knowledge

Essential

  • To demonstrate achievements leading to service improvements and give an example.
  • Ability to effectively supervise bands 5 & 6 and HCSA/MLA grades and provide an example.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively across several formats (verbal/electronic/written) to a wide range of staff grades within the department and to service users outside the department.
  • Teaching and training experience across a range of staff groups.
  • Can demonstrate a high level of personal resilience and ability to manage stress to cope with conflicting demands on time.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • IBMS Specialist Portfolio
  • MSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent academic achievement (e.g. FIBMS) ratified by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), HSD in Blood Transfusion

Desirable

  • BBTS qualification in Blood Transfusion
  • Quality Management qualification
  • Managerial qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • In depth theoretical understanding of Blood Transfusion.
  • Knowledge of Haematology/ Transfusion quality management and list your specific experience..
  • Significant post registration experience in a specialist BMS role in an NHS Haematology laboratory

Desirable

  • Demonstrate experience of quality assurance and audit practices to UKAS/ISO15189 and BSQR/MHRA standards.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

  • High level of analytical and problem-solving skills when interpreting complex test result data e.g. referral transfusion reports or BMT protocols and highlight your experience..
  • To be able to plan and organise own workflow, prioritise work effectively and give a clear example..
  • Excellent organisational skills and problem-solving skills to ensure smooth running of the laboratory day to day activities.

Desirable

  • Examples of investigating errors and incidents and performing root cause analysis, including reporting to external bodies.
  • Examples of equipment and reagent evaluation, validation, and re-verification.
  • Knowledge and practical skills in Haematology and Coagulation to cross-cover if required.

Professional / Managerial Knowledge

Essential

  • To demonstrate achievements leading to service improvements and give an example.
  • Ability to effectively supervise bands 5 & 6 and HCSA/MLA grades and provide an example.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively across several formats (verbal/electronic/written) to a wide range of staff grades within the department and to service users outside the department.
  • Teaching and training experience across a range of staff groups.
  • Can demonstrate a high level of personal resilience and ability to manage stress to cope with conflicting demands on time.

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Employer's website

https://bwc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Employer's website

https://bwc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Blood Transfusion Manager

Andrea Hughes

andrea.hughes5@nhs.net

01213339862

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

284-25-7101755-DMRG

Job locations

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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