ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF & SOCIAL CARE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Chief Biomedical (BMS 3)

Blood Transfusion

Location: Laboratory

Accountable to: Consultant Pathologist

Reports to: Pathology Directorate Manager (BMS 4)

Pay Band: 8b

Job Evaluation 0139v3/JE/16 Reference No:

Organisation Chart: (attached)

JOB PURPOSE

To have operational management responsibility of the Transfusion Department and the Isle of Man Service within the Directorate of Pathology. Responsible for providing an efficient and accurate, quality assured diagnostic laboratory service to all users. The post holder is responsible for facilitating staff training and development, ensuring relevant competencies is achieved to meet service requirements and turnaround times. To manage a team of staff to include planning, financial controls, allocation, health and safety and quality checking of all activities. Formulate strategy and policy within local and professional guidelines.

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KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

 BSc (Hons) Biomedical degree or equivalent qualification.  MSc degree in a Biomedical Science or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science.  Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.  Hold the status of Chartered Scientist awarded by the Science council, obtained by Fellowship of the Institute of biomedical Science and evidenced by professional development.  Certificate in supervisory management or NVQ level 3 in management or equivalent experience.  Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development (CPD).  At least five years experience in a clinical laboratory at a senior level as a Biomedical Scientist grade 2.  A high level of specialist knowledge gained from theoretical and practical experience gained from extensive training, teaching and mentorship in clinical and academic study to Masters level.  Ability to communicate highly complex information such as laboratory results or methodologies with all levels of laboratory staff, nursing, administrative, patients and medical staff up to consultant level and non-health professionals such as civil servants and police, using verbal, written and electronic formats.  IT skills required to implement, design, test and manage the Laboratory Computer System across the pathology directorate, and to produce complex reports and spreadsheets using Microsoft Office.  To produce regular statistical information on laboratory workloads and audits.  Ability to manage a clinical laboratory, including staff and resources.  Attend external meetings and workshops to develop and benchmark the service.  Contribute to the management of Noble’s , by participating in the overall process for business planning, risk management, clinical governance and information systems.  Good laboratory practice, including quality assurance, health and safety, data handling, data protection.  Extensive knowledge across a range of subjects including clinical, technical, personnel and financial.  Confidentiality.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 Responsible for the operational management of the hospital’s Blood Transfusion Department in conjunction with the lead pathologist and Pathology Directorate Manager. Be responsible for budgeting, purchasing and also the production of business cases to support requirements for new or replacement equipment.  Work independently within the Pathology Directorate as Hospital Blood Transfusion Departmental manager.  Responsible for the operational management of the Isle of Man Blood Transfusion Service laboratory testing and processing section ensuring UK guidelines and standards are monitored and followed. In conjunction with the lead pathologist and lead nurse, plan sessions and organise appropriate staffing levels. Be responsible for the purchasing and maintenance of equipment used at these sessions.  Line management responsibilities for all departmental staff (excluding medical staff), devolving to Senior Biomedical (BMS 2), to include overall management, leadership and welfare of staff and allocation of responsibilities within the department. This includes organising staff rotas.  Interpret and implement policies i.e. safety, security, disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence and disseminate information to staff as appropriate.  To provide an effective and efficient diagnostic clinical laboratory service within agreed protocols within available resources.  Analyse clinical specimens utilising, manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations. Such routine testing involves blood grouping, cross- matching and antibody identification.  Maintain the laboratory information system (inputting new tests, reference ranges, File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions 2 new users, levels of access and reporting formats).  Interpret complex laboratory results and authorise reports.  Advise users of the laboratory of the significance of results and suggest further investigations.  Responsible for the annual monitoring and ordering of consumable and reagent stock supplies for the department.  Responsible for the updating and generation of departmental Standard Operating Procedures in conjunction with the Quality Control Manager, Blood Transfusion.  Implementation, evaluation and development of new and existing techniques.  Monitor current practices and propose changes as applicable.  Maintains an awareness of current scientific trends and developments, especially with regard to special areas of responsibility such as the Blood Transfusion Service.  Responsible for the maintenance of equipment such as blood grouping machine and types of refrigeration including blood banks.  Contributes to the development of training strategies appropriate to the needs of Biomedical Scientists by identifying suitable courses, conferences and other local education opportunities.  Responsible for the devolved supervision of staff to ensure that work is carried out in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures.  Takes day-to-day responsibility for adequate Quality Assurance performance within the department.  Deputise for Directorate Manager as required.  Delegate supervisory function of the Blood Transfusion department to senior Biomedical Scientists.  Is the local scientific expert in the field of Blood Transfusion.  Be responsible for developing the specification for and the procurement of capital equipment and reagents to include and development to introduce new technologies, methodologies and equipment in a cost efficient manner.  To work in conjunction with other Directorates and Departments to formulate Hospital Policy documents and Guideline documents such as the Maximum Blood Ordering Schedule and the Policy for Administration of Blood and Blood Components.

CLINICAL

 The post holder will lead a team of scientists to provide a clinical laboratory service to clinicians within the hospital and general practice.  Will be required to interpret the results of laboratory analyses and authorise final reports to clinicians.  To provide specialist advice and guidance on clinical results and recommend further investigations to service users.  To ensure that all analyses and results are accurate and to take appropriate remedial action to rectify any errors.  Maintain accurate clinical records in the laboratory computer system.  As part of the ‘on-call’ team participates in the delivery of an ‘out-of-hours’ multidisciplinary pathology service; interpreting and authorising results and providing advice in disciplines outside of the normal area of expertise.

PROFESSIONAL

 Maintain registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).  Conforms to the HCPC Code of Conduct for Biomedical Scientists.  Conforms to the Institute of Biomedical Science Code of Conduct.  Practices continuous professional development (CPD).  Conforms to all relevant policies and procedures as laid down by Noble’s Hospital and the DHSC.

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TRAINING, EDUCATION & RESEARCH

 Is responsible for all training of all staff within the Blood Transfusion Department.  Ensures accurate up to date training records are maintained.  Delivers training to staff on preparation, examination and reporting of clinical samples.  Tutors students during IBMS portfolio accreditation and MSc degree courses.  Attends training activities to update current best practice.  , develops and evaluates new techniques, methodologies and equipment. This may include the use of different reagents for grouping or the investigation of new equipment when current systems are no longer efficient.  Audits methods and equipment to ensure best practice. This is done by the use of horizontal and vertical audits and by the use of calibration and maintenance logs.  Audits laboratory results in relation to clinical . This may include the assessment of blood usage during specific operations to assist in the maintenance of the Maximum Blood Ordering Schedule.  Ensures financial requirements for training via direct departmental funding or grants based on business planning.  Reflects on personal practice with ongoing CPD.  Attend regular blood bank manager’s meetings at the Liverpool Blood Centre to discuss current issues and identify areas to develop such as chronic blood shortage planning.

PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

 Responsible for planning working practices and allocation of tasks to staff within the department.  Responsible for procurement of reagents, chemicals, equipment and consumables.  Participate in contract negotiation.  To be a designated signatory for orders and invoices up to £10,000.  Maintain the department’s asset register.  Manage staffing levels to ensure the clinical service is maintained at all times (includes staff annual leave, flexitime, and training).  Produce business cases for services and equipment such as blood donor equipment and new blood grouping analyser.  Manage the quality control of all technical analyses by the use of suitable controls and maintenance logs.  Review, document and maintain all laboratory procedures e.g. standard operating procedures and policies.  Produce an annual business plan. This includes an assessment of the previous years performance, a SWOT analysis and a projection using supportable data of future trends and likely expenditure. A summary of staff levels and projected requirements is also undertaken so as to be able to adequately and safely staff the department.  Produce monthly reports for directorate Manager (includes, workloads, trends, financial information).  Maintain and manage reagent and equipment maintenance logs in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).  Perform risk assessments.  Ensure safe working practices in accordance with health and safety regulations.  Occasionally deputise for the Pathology Directorate Manager as necessary with other Chief Biomedical Scientists.  Discuss business plans / staffing etc with the directorate manager as required  Organise blood donor session schedules and allocate staff to participate in the screening process.

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COMMUNICATION

 Speaks in person and via telephone with medical and nursing staff regarding highly complex sensitive information, e.g. which tests and types of sample are appropriate for the diagnosis of patients, and reporting urgent or unusual test results.  Uses empathy and understanding to ensure that scientific and technical terminology is fully understood, e.g. medical staff whose first language is not English.  Consults with colleagues and medical staff in UK and specialist reference laboratories regarding patient results, methodologies, best practice and developments.  Deals empathetically with enquires from wards, clinics, GP practices and patients.  Attends directorate management meetings, reporting in issues such as, quality control, untoward incidents, staffing, and equipment.  Meets with the directorate manager to discuss various issues, e.g. finances, staffing, training and quality.  Presents complex scientific information to groups of laboratory and medical staff such as medical staff on induction visits.  Escorts and explains the functions of the laboratory to individuals and groups of staff and members of the public as required.  Communicates verbally and electronically with suppliers of reagents and equipment regarding laboratory requirements, financial information, scientific issues and trouble shoot equipment and reagent failures.  Communicates by verbal, written and electronic means with counterparts in the Liverpool Blood Centre. This ensures that all off-island testing is done in an appropriate and timely manner and that demands for blood or blood products are able to be met in a timescale that is suitable to all parties. This allows patients to be treated at the earliest opportunity or one that is more convenient to them.  Produces business plans for senior management for service improvement.  As lead Biomedical Scientist for the department attend Hospital Transfusion Committee meetings, Hospital Transfusion Teams meetings and TT / MGP meetings to formulate policies and action plans to ensure blood stocks are sustainable and suitable policies are in place for its use.

MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP

 Provide leadership to staff in a professional manner at all times.  Manage staffing issues such as sickness, development and training, and disciplinary.  Manage staffing levels to ensure the clinical service is maintained at all times (includes staff annual leave, flexitime, and training) prioritising where necessary, keeping up to date records of all staff annual leave and flexitime.  Responsible for the devolved budget of the department which totals £168,000 annually.  Responsible for procurement of reagents, chemicals, equipment and consumables. Involved in this is the submission of business cases for new equipment or any other expenditure such as staffing.  Responsible for recruitment, selection and induction of new staff.  Performs annual appraisal of staff.  Deputise for the Directorate Manager as required in common with other Chief Biomedical Scientists.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

 Implements new methodologies and equipment in line with approved protocols such as ‘Guidelines for the Blood transfusion Service’ and ‘Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)’ and ‘National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)’.  Responsible for writing, checking and authorising standard operating procedures within the laboratory in conjunction with the Senior Biomedical Scientist (BMS2).  Investigates complaints and incidents and ensure that effective immediate and follow up actions are taken.  Assists in procurement and implementation of new working practices across the File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions 5 directorate, e.g. laboratory information systems.  Ensures that all analyses are performing to expected standards by monitoring internal and external quality control material, e.g. internal daily accuracy and precision checking and external comparison with peer group laboratories and reference laboratories using national external quality assurance schemes (NEQAS).  Performs risk assessment analysis of all working practices within the department such as blood donor sessions and blood processing.  Ensures that all manufacturers’ instructions are followed by staff.  Follows external regulations regarding the performance and reporting of results, e.g. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).  Reports all untoward incidents to directorate manager and to other managers as appropriate.  Performs audits of technical methods and clinical results as required.

SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT

 Utilises complex specialist laboratory equipment for the analysis of clinical samples such as the IBG Blood Grouping Analyser.  Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment for the analysis of clinical samples to ensure results issued are both accurate and precise.  Troubleshoots and repairs laboratory equipment as required using expertise gained through experience.  Evaluates equipment for use in the laboratory which may require travelling to laboratories off island. Evaluation of new blood grouping machine and new laboratory computer system invariable means time is spent in the UK seeing examples in working environments.  Manipulates precision instruments, e.g. pipettes and microscopes.  Routinely uses computers for a variety of tasks including the laboratory information system working towards a paper-free environment.  Maintains and uses the laboratory and departmental computer systems such as LabCentre (Pathology LIS), PULSE (blood transfusion service system) and BloodTrack (blood issue system).  Ability to utilise, calibrate and identify performance issues of laboratory analysers in the multidisciplinary environment of the ‘out-of-hours’ service.

DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS

 Works independently within the constraints of the Pathology business plan and the objectives of Noble’s Hospital, the DH and Isle of Man Government.  Sets the tasks for staff within the department in accordance with laboratory protocols and devolves supervisory roles to Senior Biomedical Scientists.  Decides what, if any additional investigations are required based on clinical history and test results.  Authorises final test results for clinicians and comments on results if necessary.  Monitors workload and suggests actions to manage any changes, e.g. financial.  Discusses change management issues with directorate manager as required  Acts autonomously during delivery of the ‘out-of-hours’ multidisciplinary service using own professional judgement within the directorate and professional policies and guidelines in order to interpret and authorise results and to provide advice to clinicians. Only refers clinicians to the duty Consultant Pathologist when queries are outside of own area of expertise and experience.

Confidentiality

In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff or other business of the Department. On no account must information relating to identifiable patients is divulged to anyone other than authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and /or treatment of the patient. If you are in any doubt File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions 6 whatsoever as to the authority of a person or body asking for information of this nature, you must seek advice from your manager. Similarly, no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority having first been given. Failure to observe these rules will be regarded by your employers as gross misconduct which could result in disciplinary action being taken against you. In the case of information held on computer systems, you may be held personally liable if you in any way knowingly contravene the appropriate terms of the Data Protection Act 2002.

Health & Safety/Security

It is the duty of all employees to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers. Similarly, it is each person’s responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers.

Safeguarding

The Isle of Man Government is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects staff to share this commitment. Staff must work in accordance with all health and social care policies relating to safeguarding.

JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT

I have read and agree with the content of this job description, and accept that the role will be reviewed annually as part of the development review process.

Job Holder’s name (please print) …………………………………. Date: ………………….

Job Holder’s signature: ………………………………………………

Line Manager’s name (please print) ……………………………... Date: ………………….

Line Manager’s signature: …………………………………………..

File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions 7 Pathology Directorate

Directorate Manager (BMS 4)

Chief Chief Chief Chief Chief Chief Chief Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist BMS3 BMS3 BMS3 BMS3 BMS3 BMS3 BMS3 IT Manager Clinical Blood Haematology Immunoserology Transfusion

Medical Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Laboratory Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Assistants Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist (6 posts) BMS2 BMS2 BMS2 BMS 2 BMS 2 BMS 2 (2 Posts) (4 Posts) (1 Post) (2 Posts) (2 Posts) (1 Post)

Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Biomedical Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist Scientist BMS 1 BMS 1 BMS 1 BMS 1 BMS 1 BMS 1 (6 posts) (2 Posts) (3 Posts) (1 Post) (3 Posts) (1 Post|)

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JOB DESCRIPTION APPENDIX 1

PHYSICAL, MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB AND WORKING CONDITIONS

This section should describe the nature, level, frequency and duration with which you will be expected to deal with physical, mental and emotional effort and the nature, level, frequency and duration of demands arising from inevitably adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Effort  Occasionally (monthly) be available to assist in the loading and unloading of the blood donor van. This requires lifting or manoeuvring of weights up to 30kg from store rooms (no lifting aid) into the van (with aid of a tail lift) and back after the session.  Regular (daily) and repetitive movements are made when testing samples such as uncapping and re-capping and pipetting  Keyboard skills are essential in order to use the laboratory computer system and may require moderate time working at a PC on a daily basis.  Regularly required to lift and empty boxes of supplies and other laboratory equipment weighing up to 20kg.  Regularly lift bags containing laboratory waste such as blood packs that weigh up to 20kg.

Emotional Effort  Indirect exposure to distressing clinical details when inputting details into computer relating to patient illness, including terminal disease and serious trauma. Also dealing with information on patients who are known to the post-holder.  May have to convey distressing results or messages to other members of staff, clinicians and nurses such as delays to transfusions for further investigations or demands for more blood to be taken of an ill patient.  Dealing with medical and/or nursing staff at times of major trauma when blood is required at short notice and having to deal with multiple demands on time and skills to ensure blood and products are safely issued.  Infrequently having to cope with periods of short-staffing levels due to illness to ensure that a service is maintained.

Mental Effort  Concentration is required for large parts of the day when validating reports, interpreting results and inputting these results into the computer (time varies from 20% to 50% of working day)  Concentration is required when undertaking microscopy for fetal analysis (1% of time).  There are frequent interruptions from hospital staff who require results or technical advice or assistance in blood issue.  Occasionally interruptions take the form of urgent specimens which have to be processed immediately, work may have to be abandoned and returned to later following completion of this task (twice a week).

Working Conditions

 Daily processes with blood samples and weekly processes with donor units which may be infectious (HIV, HCV, HBV).

File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Approved documents  Weekly handles hazardous chemicals in the process of specialised investigations such as acid for blood donor testing and stains and buffer for fetal cells analysis.

AGREEMENT OF ABOVE DESCRIPTION

I have read and agree with the above description.

Job Holder’s Name (please print) ………………………………….. Date: …………………

Job Holder’s Signature: ………………………………………………

Line Manager’s Name (please print) ……………………………… Date: …………………

Line Manager’s Signature: ……………………………………………

File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions 10 ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

PATHOLOGY DIRECTORATE

Chief Biomedical Scientist (BMS 3) Blood Transfusion Laboratory

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS METHOD OF ASSESSMENT LINK TO KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS (Justifiable as necessary for safe (A clear definition for the necessary (Where available, elements that (Application, CV, Portfolio, FRAMEWORK and effective performance) criteria) contribute to improved/immediate Certificates, References, Interview) performance in the job)

QUALIFICATIONS  BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Evidence of extended practice eg Certificates  Registration with HCPC IBMS Quality Assurance  MSc Biomedical Science / FIBMS ECDL  Charted Scientist  Certificate in supervisory management or NVQ level 3 in management

 5 years practice as a senior KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE BMS Knowledge of a specialist area eg Training Portfolio  Broad and up to date knowledge of the disciplines policies and guidelines.  Clear understanding of all quality assurance topics and the assessment of good practice.  Knowledge of the audit processes  Experience of the financial regulations governing the department.  Awareness of regulations governing COSHH, risk assessment and health and safety.

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SKILLS & ABILITIES  Scientific & Technical skills References associated with registered BMS Experience with systems  IT skills to assist in system maintenance  Ability to facilitate and manage change.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES  Good interpersonal and References communication skills to be able Interview to negotiate, empower and resolve issues quickly.

OTHER RELEVANT  Evidence of Continuing Portfolio REQUIREMENTS Professional Development

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