Common Services Agency
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Job Holder:
2.
Job Title:
BMS 2
Immediate Senior Officer:
BMS 3
Board:
Common Services Agency
Division:
SNBTS
Location:
Edinburgh Clinical Directorate
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 Multi disciplinary
Regional Blood Transfusion Laboratory service. BMS 2's will assist in the management
and supervision of a specific department within the laboratory.
3.
DIMENSIONS
Staff No:
BMS 4
BMS 3
BMS 2
BMS 1
Trainee BMS 1
MLA
Edinburgh
1
5
11
31
0
13
4.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Clinical Director
Clinical Laboratory Manager (BMS 4)
Chief x 5 (BMS 3)
Senior x 11 (BMS 2)
Basic grade 1 x 31 (BMS 1)
MLA’s X 13
5.
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
Blood Bank and Serology Department (Hospital and Regional)
Compatibility Department / Reception
Red cell phenotyping
Compatibility testing
Group and Hold Service
Antibody screening
Antibody identification
Issue of Blood and Blood Products
Issue of Blood Components
Issue of Commercial Coagulation Factors
Stock Control
Reception of blood, blood products and components from Scottish National Blood
Transfusion Service
Reception and control of commercial kits and components
Overseeing, outdating and discard of all blood and blood components
Collection of monitoring data
Handling all autologous donations
Regional Reference Compatibility / Complex Investigation service
Investigation of compatibility problems both local and South East Scotland region
Investigation of auto antibodies
Investigation, identification and titration of irregular antibodies.
Distribution of Anti D quantitation specimens to SNBTS regional test site
Cold agglutinin investigation
Rare / Frozen reagent cell stock
Contribute to SCARF / UK Exchange
Ante Natal Serology Services (Hospital and Regional)
Blood group and antibody testing for all antenatal clinics in the area
Kleihauer screening and quantitation
Antibody monitoring of patients during pregnancy
Issue of antibody cards
Provision of Anti-D to patients
Tissue Typing Service (Hospital and Regional)
HLA typing for Solid Organ, Stem Cell and Bone Marrow transplants
HLA typing for disease association
HLA antibody screening and crossmatching by ELISA, CDC and Flow Cytometry
Platelet Immunohaematology
Platelet HPA typing
Platelet antibody screening by ELISA and Flow Cytometry
Clinical Immunology Service (Hospital and Regional)
Diagnostic Allergy Service for multiple allergens by flouroenzymeimmunoassay
Auto Immune Antibody Service
Identification and quantitation of auto antibodies to cellular antigens by ELISA.
Autoantibody identification and semi-quantitation by flourescent microscopy
Immunochemistry Service
Immunoglobulin G subclass and Complement quantitation by Rate Nephelometry.
Cell Separator Unit
Operating at both New RIE and WGH (LUHT) sites.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchanges
Therapeutic Leucopheresis
Therapeutic venesection
Venofer and IvIgG infusions
Stem cell processing, storage and reinfusion
Secondary bone marrow processing, storage and reinfusion
Tissue Banking Service
Bone banking support
Tissue banking support
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 SEBTS
Liaison and collaboration with QA departments throughout SNBTS
6.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Analytical and Judgmental:
1.
2.
3.
Contributes to the supervision and management of daily operational aspects of
the assigned department ensuring compliance with scientific standards in order
to deliver service within required timescales.
Ensure all routine and emergency work required of the assigned department
fully meets standards and customer requirements, including the provision of
required staffing levels.
Support senior management in the preparation of all procedural documentation
in accordance with national and regional requirements for example CPA, IiP
and SNBTS audit.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
7.
POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT



8.
Participates in the training of BMS 1's, Trainees, MLA's and support staff in the
applicable techniques, instrumentation and work assignment of all relevant
aspects of the laboratory.
Assisting with compilation of records, statistics and analysis of daily work
performed within the section making recommendations as appropriate.
Contribute to the implementation or organisational changes and the
development of a culture which reflects the values and goals of team working,
continuous improvement of SNBTS.
Continually review the working methods and services provided by the
department, identifying any problem areas/causes for concern and bringing
forward suggestions for improvement.
Deputise when required for the Section head to meetings and when necessary
due to the absence of the Section Head.
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 and expertise to test patient (and donor) samples. Issues
test results directly and indirectly to customers.
Uses analytical skills and expertise to troubleshoot and maintain complex
analytical equipment
Selects and dispenses safe and appropriate prescribed 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.
Will supervise BMS 1's and MLA's within a department.
BMS 2 staff will participate in the departmental 24 hr shift system
Will be aware of policy and service developments.
Will take part in discussions, which will set new policies and service developments.
Will be responsible for policy implementation in their area.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
BMS 2's require highly developed physical skills and expertise in the:
 accurate operation and reading of manual and automated tests
 examine clinical material using a microscope up to 2.5 hours per day
 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.
9.
FINANCIAL, HUMAN AND INFORMATION RESOURCES
BMS 2's must be aware of the SNBTS National and RTC local Business Plan
Financial
BMS 2's must be aware of the SNBTS National and RTC local business plan and
budget constraints.
Human Resources
BMS 2's will have some responsibility for training new BMS's and MLA staff and will
responsible for BMS 1's and MLA's in the absence MLSO 3 staff.
BMS 2's will deputise in the absence of the BMS 3.
Information
BMS 2's will accurately record test results and distribute this information to customers.
They will be involved in the development of information systems which will improve the
service to the customer.
BMS 2's will generate and sign complex reports.
10.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
A BMS 2 will provide and receive complex or sensitive information. This information will
come from or be given to:
 other colleagues in SNBTS i.e. BMSs, MLA etc.
 medical and nursing staff
 directly to patient or donors
 BMS 2s will authorise and sign reports giving test results distributed to customers
 will provide specialist internal report e.g. statistics, monitoring and incident reports
The communication will be in the form of oral, face-to-face or electronically
BMS 2 may be required to take calls of an urgent and complex nature in respect of
major haemorrhage protocols and major incidents
11.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXPERIENCE
A BMS 2 must have attained an Honours Degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent
acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council and must retain registration with that
body. A BMS 2 will have a further qualification or a long period of experience.
After suitable training they must maintain specialist knowledge and expertise across a
range of work procedures and practices which must be underpinned by theoretical
knowledge of relevant practical experience.
BMS 2's must undertake continuous professional development and will maintain and
develop specialist skills and knowledge in order to contribute to the continuous
development of the Blood Transfusion Service.
BMS 2's will have specialist expertise of a particular area or areas in which they work.
12.
ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
BMS 2's are guided by SOP's, and good practice. BMS 2's are supervised by BMS 3'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
 self generated
BMS 2's will take an active role in laboratory meetings, specialist groups (H&S,
Scientific meetings etc.) where planning will be discussed. Set objectives and appraise
staff.
13.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFORT
Working Conditions
Adverse working conditions for BMS 2s will include:
 working for periods in 4oC coldrooms
 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. First point of reference for MLA's, BMS's
support
Emotional Effort
Daily 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:
Notes
This job description may be revised in the light of changes or developments
that may occur and after discussion with the post holder.
The duties and responsibilities outlined above are to be regarded as broad
areas of responsibility and do not necessarily detail all tasks that the post
holder may be required to perform.
The post holder will use all equipment and carry out all duties in a safe
manner with current Health and Safety legislation and regulations.