SNBTS / Patient Services – Better Blood Transfusion
Transfusion Support Assistant
Permanent / Full Time/ based Edinburgh
Band 3 – Salary Scale: £16,660 - £19,627 per annum pro rata
NHS Scotland
As a vital part of NHSScotland, NHS National Services Scotland’s mission is to enable and support the delivery
of better health and better care, working in partnership. We do this by providing a range of specialised support
services that enable NHS Boards to focus their efforts on delivering health improvement and patient care. As a
major division within the NHS National Services Scotland the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service
(SNBTS) plays a vital role not only in the health of the people of Scotland but also on an international scale
through our leading position in new product development biomedical research and donor / clinical services. Our
goal is to maintain the highest standards of patient care whilst remaining internationally competitive.
We are looking for a support assistant to join our existing team of staff who promote the safe and appropriate
use of blood and blood products as part of the Better Blood Transfusion programme through the development of
national programmes of education and associated clinical effectiveness initiatives. We are looking to recruit an
enthusiastic, motivated, flexible person to undertake this challenging and interesting newly established post.
Candidates should be educated to Scottish Higher level or evidence of equivalent. This full - time position is
within Patient Services, Better Blood Transfusion Team and the post covers Lothian and Borders (based in
Edinburgh, but with some duties in Borders). The postholder must be able to demonstrate good communication
and organisational skills, be numerate and literate. The ability to demonstrate good time management and
administrative skills, show initiative and be able to work effectively as part of a busy small team is essential.
The post is 1.0 WTE (37.5 hours) per week
Our benefits package includes final salary pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies,
occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits.
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Douglas Watson or Diane Creighton, Patient Services, on
0131 536 5962.
The successful candidate(s) must comply with the Mandatory Induction Standards and with the Code of
Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.
For an application pack please complete the online application form on the SHOW website
www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk. Ref G21849.
Closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on 5 August 2014
Please note that only those applicants called for an interview will be contacted. If you have not received a response
within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Further information on NSS is available from: www.nhsnss.org.
NHS National Services Scotland is the common name of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service.
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer.
Candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Job Holder
Job Title
Transfusion Support Assistant
Immediate Senior Officer
Transfusion Practitioner
Division
Location
2.
JOB PURPOSE
As a member of a multi-disciplinary team the post holder will provide support to the Transfusion
Practitioner and the wider Hospital Transfusion Team to deliver the Better Blood Transfusion
work programme in order to support safe, effective and efficient blood transfusion practice
throughout hospitals in NHSS
3.
DIMENSIONS
o The Better Blood Transfusion (BBT) programme has an annual budget of £1,600,000, and
receives pro rata individual project monies granted by Scottish Government and other
outside agencies.
o The BBT programme has an establishment of 27.3 staff; staff are based across 7 local
delivery teams in Scotland, supported by the central programme team.
o The BBT objectives are set annually by the Scottish Clinical Transfusion Advisory
Committee.
o The post holder will provide support to the Transfusion Practitioner and Hospital
Transfusion / local delivery team to deliver an agreed local BBT work plan.
4.
ORGANISATION CHART
Head of Nursing (Patient Services)
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service
BBT Team Lead
Lead Clinician
Transfusion
Practitioner
Transfusion
Support
Assistant
5.
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
To promote the safe and appropriate use of blood and blood components as part of the wider
NHSS Better Blood Transfusion Team. To provide support to the Transfusion Practitioner and
Hospital Transfusion Team to meet the overall Better Blood Transfusion key performance
indicators and agreed local work plan.
6.
KEY RESULT AREAS
To support the delivery of the Hospital Transfusion Team’s agreed work plan and participate as
an integral member of the team by:
Clinical Effectiveness/Audit/Data management:
o Support the planning and facilitation of transfusion related audits which includes the
collection, analysis of data and creating computer databases
o Liaise with key stakeholders relating to transfusion related audits/projects which includes
communications detailed in the project plan to support meeting agreed timelines
o Provide feedback to the Transfusion Practitioner on any issues around progress of
transfusion related projects
o Extract sensitive data from medical record databases, laboratory databases, Account for
Blood reports and the Scottish Transfusion Epidemiology Database (STED)
o Retrieval and storage of case notes
o The post holder will meet the requirements of Data Protection Legislation
Incident Management:
o Provide administrative support to the Transfusion Practitioner and Hospital Transfusion
Team for transfusion related adverse events
o Action follow-up email /telephone communications as required to support the timely
investigation and management of transfusion related incidents in compliance with local
incident management procedures e.g. contacting incident reviewers/ward managers for
incident review information / status reports
o Provide incident reports for meetings
Training & Education:
o Facilitation of education and training by planning sessions, ensuring effective
communications and preparation of resources and maintaining accurate records of training
attendance
o Update and provide Learnpro reports as requested for all staff groups involved in
transfusion practice which includes uploading training registers, recording of competency
assessments
o Maintain communications and liaise with a key group of trainers/assessors to support the
delivery of a competency training programme
Administration:
o Perform general administrative duties e.g. photocopying, meeting arrangements, minute
taking, secretarial support
o Transcription of tapes/voice recognition recordings
o Undertake editing and formatting of transfusion related documents e.g. hospital transfusion
policy
Freedom to Act:
o Post holder will be able to perform duties without direct supervision and will recognise
when to escalate any issues to the Transfusion Practitioner
7.
ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Work Received from:
Transfusion Practitioner based on Hospital Transfusion Team work plan
Supervision/Management:
The post holder will be managed by the Transfusion Practitioner. The post holder will receive
personal appraisal on a six monthly basis. There will be occasions when the post holder will be
required to resolve problems by using own initiative and judgement.
8.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will work closely with the local Transfusion Practitioner and Hospital Transfusion
Team. Communicating effectively with staff across a wide range of disciplines and at different
levels within the local Health Board is required which may include complex, sensitive and
contentious information.
Relationships
Communication is in person, by telephone, electronic mail and by written correspondence to
support the ongoing exchange of BBT related information. Participation in regular meetings and
teleconferences to support the delivery of the Hospital Transfusion Team work plan by building
and maintaining relationships with the following:
o Transfusion Practitioner
o Hospital Transfusion Team
o Hospital Transfusion Committee
o Overarching Transfusion Committee
o Transfusion Laboratory Staff
o Local Clinical Teams
o Better Blood Transfusion Lead Clinician
o Better Blood Transfusion team throughout NHSS
9.
MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB
o Ability to work under pressure and meet Better Blood Transfusion/Hospital Transfusion Team
deadlines
o Prioritise work demands which can be unpredictable
o Accurate input of data over a sustained period of time
10.
SYSTEMS
o Frequent use of office equipment
o Extensive and sustained use of PC/VDU equipment
o Frequent use of varied NHS Information Technology systems
11.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
12.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND EFFORT
Prolonged use of keyboard/VDU
Frequent sitting for prolonged periods of time in a restricted position
Close observance of confidentiality with respect to patient and staff data
Extended periods of concentration with close attention to detail e.g. accurate data
input, formatting reports/spreadsheets
Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and manage changing priorities
Communicating with multi-disciplinary staff groups; occasional requirement to deal with
distressed or anxious individuals
Dealing with challenging behaviours
Occasional requirement to travel within local HB and wider NHSS
ENVIRONMENTAL / WORKING CONDITIONS & MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
o Standard office based environment
o Mainly deskwork with continual use of PC or VDU
o Light physical effort with regular requirement to visit a variety of areas throughout the
Board(s)
13.
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFIED FOR THE POST
o The post holder will be educated to Higher level or evidence of equivalent qualifications
o European Computer Driving Licence qualification or equivalent IT qualification
o The post-holder must be able to demonstrate good communication and organisational skills,
be numerate and literate with good time management and administrative skills
o Ability to work on their own initiative to agreed work plan
o Ability to work effectively as part of a busy small team is essential
o Experience of working in a healthcare environment desirable
14.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job
description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature
Date
Head of Department
Signature
Date
Title
HR Department will check job description format and content and then send the job description to
the AfC Team
HR Representative’s
Signature
Date Job Description Agreed:
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This form must accompany the Job Description to which it refers.
Job Title
Transfusion Support Assistant
Job Reference
G21849
AfC Band
3
Requirement
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
Desirable
Educated to Higher level or
evidence of equivalent
qualification
Accredited IT qualification
European Computer Driving
Licence
TRAINING
Working knowledge of
Microsoft Office packages
Knowledge of NHS
computerised systems
EXPERIENCE
General administrative skills
Minute taking
Experience of audit work
Experience of working
within a healthcare
environment
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Effective communication
skills
Good organisational and
time management skills
Ability to work as part of a
team
Ability to observe strict
confidentiality
Ability to work on own
initiative
Keen attention to detail
GENERAL
Ability to travel around the
identified region for the
purposes of the post
Access to use of a car / valid
driver’s licence for the
purposes of work
Summary of Key Terms and Conditions of Post
Division/Department:
Blood, Tissues & Cells
Location:
Edinburgh
Job Title & AfC Pay Band:
Transfusion Support Assistant – Band 3
Salary/Salary Scale:
£16,660 - £19,627 per annum pro rata
Conditions of Service:
Your terms and conditions of service are in accordance with the Agenda for
Change Terms and Conditions Handbook. Agenda for Change comprises a
new National pay system and job evaluation scheme for the Health Service, a
harmonised set of terms and conditions of employment and a new Knowledge
and Skills Framework which was introduced across the NHS from 1st December,
2004.
Hours of Duty:
The standard full-time hours for NHS staff are 37.5 hours, exclusive of meal
breaks, normally to be worked over 5 days per week. The hours of this post are
7.5 per week.
Annual Leave:
The annual leave arrangements are:
o
o
o
27 days (202.5 hours) on commencement
29 days (217.5 hours) after 5 years’ service
33 days (247.5 hours) after 10 years’ service.
8 public and statutory holidays are also available within the leave year.
Superannuation:
(NHS Pension Scheme)
Employees will be automatically superannuated under the terms of the
National Health Service Superannuation Scheme, unless they formally
elect to opt out of the scheme.
Any queries on whether or not pension rights are transferable should be
addressed direct to the Scottish Public Pension’s Agency, Health Service
Branch, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3TE.
Medical Assessment:
Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory medical clearance. The
successful candidate will be required to complete a pre-employment health
declaration form and, where appropriate, undergo a health assessment by the
Occupational Health Service.
Summary of Key Terms and Conditions of Post (cont.)
Knowledge and Skills
Framework:
A new NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework will be applied
to all jobs covered by Agenda for Change. Under the Knowledge and Skills
Framework, staff will have annual development reviews, which will result in the
production of a personal development plan.
NHS NSS is committed to promoting continuous staff development and a
number of divisions have Investors in People accreditation. There is equal
access to training for all staff.
Equal Opportunities Policy:
NSS is an Equal Opportunities employer and the policy applies to all
aspects of employment.
Smoking Policy:
We operate a No Smoking Policy.
NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND
STAFF BENEFITS PACKAGE
Working for the NHS provides individuals with excellent career prospects and access to a wide range of
jobs. NHS National Services Scotland employs approximately 3,500 staff working in a number of
locations across Scotland.
Some of the benefits of working for NHS National Services Scotland are:










A minimum of 27 days annual leave (pro rata) increasing with service
Eight public holidays (pro rata) per year
Access to flexible, family friendly working arrangements
Membership of the NHS Scotland superannuation scheme. Membership also includes a lump
sum death in service benefit.
Excellent training and development opportunities
Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Childcare Voucher Scheme
Cycle to Work Scheme
Access to national and local staff discounts and promotions
Occupational Health Service
Employee Counselling Service