Jobs at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• Qualified Blood Bank Technician To perform routine testing functions (manual and automated) in blood banks including but not limited to, compatibility, post-natal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations according to Standard Operating Procedures and the Standards of Practice for Blood Transfusion in South Africa. Qualified Blood Bank Technologist To perform routine testing functions in Blood Banks including but not limited to, compatibility, postnatal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations. To check and verify test results performed by Registered Blood Bank Technicians, Registered Trainee Technicians and Registered Student Technologists.

Job description
Qualified Blood Bank Technician
KPA 1 Operational Objectives

•   Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:
•  Check blood and blood product stock levels. Report expired units.
•  Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.
•  Dispose of waste according to SOP:
•  Prepare documentation for waste traceability:
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the waste disposal company.

KPA 2 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

•  Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
•  Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
•  Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

•  Ensure that all policies, documentation and SOPs are read, understood and maintain competency.
•  Comply with Standard of practice, SHEQ and accreditation requirements.
•  Contribute to and participate in continuous safety and quality improvement.
•  Perform processes to ensure that the number of minor and major deficiencies amount to less than the agreed amount per site.

KPA 4 Customer Relations

• Document customer complaints / Compliments / queries and forward documentation to the Supervisor.
• Interact professionally and courteously with internal and external customers.

Blood Bank Technologist
KPA 1 Operational Objectives

•  Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:
•  Report situations where the critical and non-critical consumables are not available after hours to the Blood Bank (BB) Supervisor.
•  Deputise for Shift Supervisor/BB Supervisor when absent or unavailable.
•  Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.
•  Dispose of waste according to SOP:
•  Prepare documentation for waste traceability:
•  Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
•  Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company.

 KPA 2 Specialist Technical functions

•  Check and verify test results performed by registered technicians, registered trainee technicians and registered student technologists.
•  Assist BB Supervisor with training and competency assessments.
•  Perform secondary testing, including but not limited to, problem cross matches, postnatal, antibody investigations and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations within required timeframes and according to SOP specifications.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

• Check equipment to ensure that all instrumentation and equipment is in working order according to SOP criteria.
• Check blood and blood product stock levels, including identifying and reporting of expired units.
• Ensure that all policies, documents and relevant SOP’s are read and understood and maintain competency for the stipulated standard operating procedures.
• Comply with standards of practice, accreditation, QC testing, proficiency testing and safety requirements and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement.
• Strive to remain well informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing as well as to ensure acquisition of required CPD points according to IPA specifications.
• Assist the BB Supervisor with Risk tasks allocated within the agreed timeframes.

KPA 4 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

•  Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
•  Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
•  Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 5 Customer relations

•  Document customer complaints / compliments / queries and forward documentation to the BB Supervisor.
•  Interact professionally with medical staff and ensure an adequate and efficient response to routine queries.

KPA 6 General Functions

• Perform Shift Supervisor functions and other related duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the laboratory.
• Perform miscellaneous routine laboratory tasks and other job-related duties when required by the supervisors and other senior staff so as to facilitate efficient running of the laboratory.
• Attend meetings to ensure that relevant information is acquired.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G. TRAVEL, WORKING AFTER HOURS ETC.)

• Overtime as and when required.
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled.
• Occasional local and national travel.
• Call out system.
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility.
• Detail conscious.
• Proficient eye-sight.

Minimum requirements
Education

• HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).

Experience and knowledge requirements

•  As per HPCSA registration requirement as Medical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).

Other (knowledge and skills), e.g. understanding of relevant legislation; knowledge of relevant company procedures.

• Computer Literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G. TRAVEL, WORKING AFTER HOURS ETC.)

• Overtime as and when required.
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled.
• Occasional local and national travel.
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility.
• Detail conscious.
• Proficient eye-sight.
• Person cannot be colour blind

go to method of application »

Introduction

• The position is to collect quality safe blood and blood products according to specific targets set per blood drive (fixed or mobile).

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

KPA 1 Financial

• Manages cost per unit for both whole blood and specialised collections within agreed blood drive/donor centre target by determining, packing and loading the consumables for blood drive/donor centre as per the target.
• Maintains and validates equipment to ensure that repairs are done timeously.
• Reports increases / decreases in consumable usage to the Clinic Supervisor as well as discrepancies in consumable stock deliveries.

KPA 2 Customer Stakeholder

• Manages stakeholder relations at the blood drive and/or donor centre.
• Welcomes donors by greeting them as they enter the blood drive, assist with and/or guide them to the registration table.
• Asks Donor to read pamphlets/posters before medical assessment.
• Helps donors to complete donor forms and clarify any query they might have.
• Addresses and/or report all complaints to the in-charge before or by the end of the shift.
• Ensures that customer needs and priorities are understood at all times.
• Coaches team on customer service through discussion of the root cause of complaints, compliments and queries.

KPA 3 Internal Processes

• Collects whole blood and/or apheresis units to meet assigned target.
• Assists team packing and off-loading the vehicle at the venue efficiently and effectively.
• Assists with setting up the blood drive in time for the arrival of donors.
• Completes donor documentation and assessment procedure courteously, effectively and efficiently according to relevant standard operating procedure.
• Assists with identification and registration of donor according to relevant guideline, and check the donor form for completeness.
• Assists with recruitment and booking of whole blood and specialised donors to ensure team meet target.
• Conducts basic physical checks on donors as per the SOP, capture all relevant information and report any deviation to the person in-charge of the clinic.
• Documents results of all basic physical checks on relevant record sheets/Donor Questionnaires.
• Inform clinic supervisor or designated deputy of all irregularities immediately. The donor will be accepted or deferred by clinic supervisor or designated deputy in case of medical reasons.
• Conducts confidential assessment (risk behaviour interview) with potential donors.
• Educates donors on high-risk behaviour.
• Prepares blood pack with the scale to ensure that correct volume of blood is collected
• Prepares for phlebotomy section and carry out phlebotomy as per the relevant SOP including donor care and education.
• Cares for donor during donation including providing refreshments and education.
• Initiates treatment in emergencies (First Aid/CPR) with the help of the in-charge / SANBS Medical Lead Consultant pending arrival of emergency personnel.
• Completes all documentation post-donation and any additional reports/information as required.
• Provides post-donation care and advice.

KPA 4 Learning and Growth

• Performs Clinic Supervisor duties, roles and responsibilities, according to that job description for that particular time or clinic as per operational requirements.
• Maintains regular two-way communication by attending and participating in monthly staff meetings on matters such as strategy; values; team building; policy changes; SOPs to ensure understanding.
• Assists the Clinic Supervisor in analysing training needs for the unit and manages staff competency through observation on relevant policies and procedures, including completion of relevant CPD’s and POE’s.

KPA 5 Governance

• Maintains and keeps updated staff and equipment files as per relevant policies and procedures.
• Oversees the application of all relevant policies and procedures in the unit as per the SHEQ and Operational policies and procedures.
• Manages medical waste by ensuring that all waste generated during the blood drive are discarded as per the SOP.
• Maintains a safe environment by ensuring that safety procedures are followed as per SOP.

Minimum requirements

Education

• Diploma / Degree in General Nursing Sciences.
• Code B or EB Manual driver’s license.

Experience and knowledge requirements

• 2 years Registered Professional Nursing experience.

Other (knowledge and skills), e.g. under-standing of relevant legislation; knowledge of relevant company procedures

• Relevant SANBS policies and Procedures.
• Standards of Practice for Blood transfusion in SA.