About this role
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 AP and MLA staff
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.
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 Siemens Hema analysers and stainer, Coagulation IL TOPS 550 analysers and Blood Transfusion are changing from Biorad 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 identification 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 communication skills in emergency scenarios.
Managing blood and blood product stock
Training and supervising Band 4 and MLA 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 2030 to 0830 and at weekends.
Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meet the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Relevant laboratory experience
Qualifications Essential
BSc Biomedical Sciences IBMS Certificate of Competence (Registration Training Portfolio)
Desirable
ECDL Working towards the IBMS Specialist Diploma Science / English / Math A-levels
Statutory Registration Essential
HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Organise own work activites Prioritisation of duties Communication Medical / Scientific terminology Computer literate 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
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
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)