Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a full time Traceability Officer and Medical Laboratory Assistant at Guys and St Thomas’ Blood Transfusion Laboratory.

You will work in a small team of Blood Transfusion MLAs, as a key part of the wider Blood Transfusion Team. You will also work with the Clinical Transfusion Team primarily responsible for managing the blood product traceability process.

Blood Transfusion use Winpath Enterprise, Epic Beaker and Blood-Track systems. Analysers used in the laboratory are Bio-Rad IH1000 and IH500.

Upon satisfactory completion of in-house training and competency assessment you will participate in the MLA rota which currently involves shifts between 8am and 8pm, however applicants may be required to work on a full 24/7 rota in the future including night shifts.

Main duties of the job

Technical
To safely handle, use and dispose of blood
Pre-analytical preparation of samples.
To monitor and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment.
Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance.

Participate in internal and external quality assurance programmes.
Undertake Blood Transfusion daily returns before returning to stock in line with BSQR on cold chain protocols.
To monitor blood satellite fridges, conducting alarms tests, temperature checks and undertaking monthly cleaning.
Monitoring and maintenance of blood stocks in accordance with protocols to assist in reducing and minimising wastage.
Use Winpath log patient information, verify patient specimens and monitor stock of blood products.

Administrative
To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS and BSQR.
Undertake work file management to ensure all results are reported with agreed turnaround time

Traceability Duties

Visit clinical ward areas to obtain data on the traceability of blood components issued from the laboratory.

Maintain the traceability database used for the fating of blood components and produce regular reports of non-returned tags to go to clinical areas and to the Trust. Ensure the integrity of data and make sure they are up-to-date, accurate and complete.

Obtain evidence of the transfusion and update the fate of the blood components on BloodTrack and the laboratory information system. This will require close communication with all the clinical services within the Trust to ensure that this process is completed and adheres with the strict deadline required.

General Duties
To comply with the policies and procedures of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and Synnovis Pathology.
To treat everyone associated with Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis Pathology with courtesy and respect.
To comply with the training and competence policy and procedure

Working for our organisation

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.

• Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork.

• Use departmental resources efficiently and apply good stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery. Receipt and unpack new deliveries and advise/order when approaching minimum stock levels.

• Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff.

• Support with specimen reception and referrals processing, as required.

• Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.

• Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to accurately record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following IG guidelines.

• Organise day-to-day tasks, identifying and prioritising urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible. Escalate to senior member of staff, as necessary.

• Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols.

• Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times.

• Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or other departments.

• Adhere to the laboratory SOPs and work with the team to review working practice to maintain a high quality and safe service.

• Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests on to the LIMS.

• Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals.

• Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision.

• Undertake preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.

• Process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required.

• File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.

• Prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.

• Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by line manager. Undertake periodic laboratory training and competence assessment.

Clinical transfusion - Traceability Duties and responsibilities

Administrative (clinical areas)

Visit clinical ward areas to obtain data on the traceability of blood components issued from the laboratory.

Administrative (office and laboratory)

·Maintain the traceability database used for the fating of blood components and produce regular reports of non-returned tags to go to clinical areas and to the Trust. Ensure the integrity of data and make sure they are up-to-date, accurate and complete.

·Obtain evidence of the transfusion and update the fate of the blood components on BloodTrack and the laboratory information system. This will require close communication with all the clinical services within the Trust to ensure that this process is completed and adheres with the strict deadline required.

·Expert knowledge of the traceability database will be required as the post holder will have sole responsibilities for:

Producing monthly traceability reports for BT Operations Manager and Blood Transfusion Practitioners. Providing ad hoc reports and statistics when directed by the BT Operations Manager and/or Blood Transfusion Practitioner. Compiling monthly and quarterly reports on traceability and statistics, for presentation at various committees, including the Hospital Transfusion Committee and the Hospital Transfusion team meetings.

·Use the Trust’s Radar system to report non-compliance with the traceability system.

·Feedback to the team any issues related to the traceability process that may affect the Trust’s compliance with the EU Blood Safety Directive.

·Assist in administrative duties for the Blood Transfusion laboratory and the Clinical Transfusion Team.

Audit – Clinical and Laboratory

Assist with data collection and entering data for the completion of clinical audits, including participation in national and regional audits.

Assist in developing spreadsheets for collecting data for audits.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

GCSE, including English and Math at grade 4/C or equivalent or Level 2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship

Desirable criteria

A Level/BTEC in Science or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working with computer applications such as Microsoft Office / Google docs, data entry

Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail

Experience working as part of a team

Experience working in a busy environment

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment

Customer service experience

Previous experience of working in a blood bank

Skills

Essential criteria

Good written and verbal communication skills

Numerate and literate

Organised and methodical

Ability to work to deadlines

Ability to accurately follow written procedures

Competent at problem solving and prioritising

Able to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time

Ability to operate the use of precision instrument and equipment

Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock specimens etc.

Willingness and ability to learn complex operating procedures and follow guidelines

Desirable criteria

Awareness of the role of medical laboratories.

Awareness of Good Laboratory Practice

Knowledge of Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR)

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.

For our Permanent workforce w e offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

Contributory pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Ground breaking development
opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults . All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Salary: GBP 28800 - 43200 per year