NSS
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Job Holder:
2.
Job Title:
Biomedical Scientist Specialist
Immediate Senior Officer:
Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner
Board:
NSS
Division:
SNBTS
Location:
Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh
JOB PURPOSE
To perform laboratory procedures and duties in compliance with agreed specifications
in order to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of a high quality blood transfusion
laboratory service and internal and external checks.
3.
DIMENSIONS
Staff No:
Biomedical Scientist 4
Biomedical Scientist 3
Biomedical Scientist 2
Biomedical Scientist 1
Clinical Support Officer
Dundee
1
3
6
10
6
4.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Clinical Director
Clinical Laboratory Manager (BMS 4)
Section Manager x 3 (BMS 3)
Advanced Practitioner x (BMS2)
Pool of BMS 1s x 11
Pool of CSOs x 8
5.
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
Serology Department
Compatibility Department Reception
Red cell phenotyping
Compatibility testing
Group and Hold Service
Blood Banking Service throughout Angus Hospital Trust
Antibody detection
Antibody screening
Issue of Blood and Blood Products
Issue of Blood Components
Issue of Commercial Coagulation Factors
Ante Natal Clinic Services
Blood group and antibody testing for all antenatal clinics in the area
Cord cell testing
Kleihauer testing
Antibody monitoring of patients during pregnancy
Issue of antibody cards
Provision of Anti-D to patients
Stock Control
Reception of blood, blood components from Scottish National Blood Transfusion
Service
Distribution of Blood to Ninewells Hospital blood bank
Distribution of blood and blood components to Perth Royal Infirmary (bulk distribution)
and all other Hospitals in Tayside region
Overseeing outdating and discard of all blood and blood components
Collection of monitoring data
Pack label verification of platelets produced at Ninewells
Handling all autologous donations
Irradiation of all blood components
Histology and Immunology
HLA disease association
B27 typing
HLA Ab screening
Production of Ab screening test plates and crossmatching plates
Platelet typing
Platelet Ab and associated test (HIT testing)
Tissue Banking Service
Stem cell storage and reinfusion
Quality Assurance Department
Provision and control of controlled documents (SOP's, Policies etc)
Temperature monitoring of all storage and transport areas
Provision of an audit programme
Maintenance of a quality system within ESBTC
Liaison and collaboration with QA departments throughout Angus Trusts
6.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Analytical and Judgmental Areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Carries out laboratory procedures and tests in compliance with Standard
Operating Procedures to ensure the provision of safe and high quality blood,
blood components and products and a serological service for patients.
Supervises and trains when required, trainee MLSO's unqualified staff and
others in procedures and use of equipment relating to all aspects of the work
involved.
Assists line manager with compilation of records, statistics and analysis of daily
work performed within the section, making recommendations for continued
improvement as appropriate.
Participates as appropriate in the application and development of automated
and computerised systems to assist in the efficient and effective working of the
department.
Complies with Health and Safety regulations to ensure safe working procedures
and the health and safety of other staff and visitors to the departments.
Uses analytical skills to test patient (and donor) samples. Issues test results
directly and indirectly to customers.
Selects and issues safe and appropriate blood, blood products and blood
components directly to patients on basis of test results they have performed.
Uses judgement to schedule and prioritise patients in order of urgency.
7.
POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Will be aware of policy and service developments
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's may be asked to work in areas where R&D and
evaluation such as the development of new systems and the testing of new equipment.
8.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's require highly developed physical skills in the:
 accurate operation and reading of manual tests
 the rapid and accurate operation of keyboards
 the physical movement and manipulation of blood, blood products and blood
components, plasma thawing, mass screening of red blood cells etc.
 long periods of standing at work benches
 The post holder requires on all shifts that there is a requirement to lift boxes,
specimen trays, blood transit crates, which range in weight from 2 – 10 kg. This
period can range from 20 – 60 mins.
9.
FINANCIAL, HUMAN AND INFORMATION RESOURCES
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's must be aware of the SNBTS National and RTC local
Business Plan
Financial
They are responsible for maintaining stocks of blood, blood products and blood
components and are aware of the need for the effective use of blood. Biomedical
Scientist Specialist's will use expensive equipment and reagents
Human Resources
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's will be responsible for training new Biomedical
Scientist Specialist 's and CLINICAL SUPPORT OFFICER staff and will responsible for
CLINICAL SUPPORT OFFICER 's in the absence of Senior Biomedical Scientist
Specialist staff.
Information
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's will accurately record patient data test results and
distribute this information directly to customers. They will be involved in the
development of information systems which will improve the service to the customer.
10.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
A Biomedical Scientist Specialist will provide and receive complex and sensitive
information. This information will come from or be given to:
 other colleagues in SNBTS
 medical and nursing staff (SNBTS and other NHS units)
 directly to patient, donors and members of the public
 police
 auditors
The communication will be in the form of oral, face-to-face or electronically
11.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXPERIENCE
A Biomedical Scientist Specialist must have attained an Honours Degree in Biomedical
Science acceptable to the Health Professions Council and must retain registration with
that body.
After suitable training they must maintain specialist knowledge across a range of work
procedures and practices which must be underpinned by theoretical knowledge of
relevant practical experience.
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's must undertake continuous professional development
and will maintain and develop specialist skills and knowledge in order to contribute to
the continuous improvement of the Blood Transfusion Service.
12.
ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's are guided by SOPs, and good practice. Biomedical
Scientist Specialist's are supervised by Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner's but
may work for long periods unsupervised. Formal objectives are set and agreed
annually and reviewed bi-annually.
Work comes from the following sources:
 line managers / departmental head
 internal or external customers
 other SNBTS departments
 self generated
Biomedical Scientist Specialist's will participate in laboratory meetings, specialist
groups (H&S, Scientific meetings etc.) where planning will be discussed. Biomedical
Scientist Specialist's will be asked to participate in specific projects.
13.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFORT
Working Conditions
Adverse working conditions for Biomedical Scientist Specialist's will include:
 working for periods in 4oC coldrooms or walk-in freezers
 working with liquid N2
 continual use of VDU's
 direct contact with untested blood samples
 handling biohazard samples known to be HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C positive
Physical Effort
There is a frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for long periods e.g.
lifting and moving cases of blood and need for fast response to urgent calls from wards
for blood and blood products.
Mental Effort
There is a frequent requirement for intense concentration within the work period. The
requirement is unpredictable within the shift.
Emotional Effort
Frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances e.g. receiving information
on major incidents, urgently delivering blood into busy A&E department, being informed
of patient's death
14.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
………………………………………………………………
Date:
Senior Officer/ Head of Department Signature:
……………………………………………………………..
Date: