Job summary
We are looking for a full time permanent BMS in Haematology
and Blood Transfusion at CDDFT in our very busy Department of Blood Sciences
which processes 1500-2000 samples per site each day.
Nominal Base will be Darlington Memorial Hospital but you
will be expected to travel to and work at the other sites within the Trust if
required. Blood sciences at CDDFT is a very busy laboratory with much to offer
the successful candidate. You will be a proactive member of the Blood Sciences
Team, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential as is the
ability to work within a team processing a high workload of specimens. You
should have great multi-tasking ability, have excellent organisational skills
and attention to detail and be able to appropriately prioritise urgent work.
The job description is generic for all Blood
Sciences BMS staff and all necessary training will be provided but evidence and
experience in a UK laboratory in Haematology and Transfusion or Biochemistry is
preferred. APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE THAT RELEVANT EXPERIENCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN
OBTAINED WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Maintaining and running automated analysers in accordance
with laboratory protocols, performing QC. Investigating and troubleshooting QC
failures and spurious test results.
Performing manual tests and staining and recording the
results
Booking patient samples on to the Laboratory Computer System
and ensuring the correct test requests are inputted. Centrifuging samples.
Authorising results and forwarding abnormals to Consultant
Haematologists as required
Examining blood smears under the microscope and performing
manual differential counts as needed
Managing pending test lists, prioritising urgent work to
meet turnaround times
Performing blood groups and identifying antibodies,
crossmatching Blood and products for patients, managing blood stocks
Answering telephone queries and liaising with other Trust
staff and the general public.
Stock control including ordering, receiving and receipting
deliveries, documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing
verification tasks
Assist in the training and competency assessment of new Band
4
Please refer to the Job Description and Personal
Specification 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
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Blood Sciences Department is UKAS accredited and part of
your role will be to complete all required quality documentation including
training, competency and CPD.
You must be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, have an
IBMS accredited BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
Candidates working towards HCPC registration will be
considered. Candidates must be able to
provide documentary relevant CPD evidence in support of their application at
interview.
The main automation in Haematology is changing in 2025 to
Siemens Hema analysers and stainers, Coagulation ACL TOPS 550 analysers and
Blood Transfusion to Ortho automated technology. The LIMS is provided by
Clinisys Winpath.
Experience of the above is advantageous but not essential as
all necessary training will be provided.
Main Specialist BMS tasks are
Performing complex analyses
Authorising results, reflexing tests as required, referring
abnormals to Consultants.
Ensuring analysers maintained, calibrated and quality
controlled and troubleshooting any issues
Performing Blood groups and antibody identifcation and
crossmatching by both manual and automated techniques.
Providing Blood and products in a timely manner in emergency
situations, you must be able to prioritise, multi-task, keep calm and have
excellent communiation skills in emergency scenarios.
Managing blood and blood product stock
Training and supervising Band 4 staff
The department operates a 24/7 shift system covering
dayshifts, late shifts, nightshifts weekends and Bank Holidays which the successful
applicant must participate in. There is currently one BMS covering Haem/BT on
each site after 2030 and at weekends.
Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meet
the needs of the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Blood Sciences Department is UKAS accredited and part of
your role will be to complete all required quality documentation including
training, competency and CPD.
You must be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, have an
IBMS accredited BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
Candidates working towards HCPC registration will be
considered. Candidates must be able to
provide documentary relevant CPD evidence in support of their application at
interview.
The main automation in Haematology is changing in 2025 to
Siemens Hema analysers and stainers, Coagulation ACL TOPS 550 analysers and
Blood Transfusion to Ortho automated technology. The LIMS is provided by
Clinisys Winpath.
Experience of the above is advantageous but not essential as
all necessary training will be provided.
Main Specialist BMS tasks are
Performing complex analyses
Authorising results, reflexing tests as required, referring
abnormals to Consultants.
Ensuring analysers maintained, calibrated and quality
controlled and troubleshooting any issues
Performing Blood groups and antibody identifcation and
crossmatching by both manual and automated techniques.
Providing Blood and products in a timely manner in emergency
situations, you must be able to prioritise, multi-task, keep calm and have
excellent communiation skills in emergency scenarios.
Managing blood and blood product stock
Training and supervising Band 4 staff
The department operates a 24/7 shift system covering
dayshifts, late shifts, nightshifts weekends and Bank Holidays which the successful
applicant must participate in. There is currently one BMS covering Haem/BT on
each site after 2030 and at weekends.
Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meet
the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Organise own work activites
- Prioritisation of duties
- Communication
- Medical / Scientific terminology
- Numerical : Calculations etc
- Manual dexterity, Tests and analysers
- Precise and accurate work performance
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Shift work
- Out of hours work
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Computer literate
- ECDL
- Working towards the specialist diploma
- Science / English / Math A-levels
Experience
Essential
- Relevant laboratory experience
Statutory Registration
Essential
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Organise own work activites
- Prioritisation of duties
- Communication
- Medical / Scientific terminology
- Numerical : Calculations etc
- Manual dexterity, Tests and analysers
- Precise and accurate work performance
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Shift work
- Out of hours work
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Computer literate
- ECDL
- Working towards the specialist diploma
- Science / English / Math A-levels
Experience
Essential
- Relevant laboratory experience
Statutory Registration
Essential
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.
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.
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
