South African National Blood Service

Qualified Blood Bank Technician / Technologist

Listing reference: sanbs_001615

Listing status: Closed

Apply by: 13 June 2023

Position summary

Industry: Medical Technology

Job category: Medical Research and Laboratory Sciences

Location: Midrand

Contract: Permanent

Business Unit: Sunninghill

EE position: Yes

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

1.1 Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:

1.2 Check blood and blood product stock levels. Report expired units.

1.3 Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.

1.4 Dispose of waste according to SOP:

1.5 Prepare documentation for waste traceability:

1.6 Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.

1.7 Check weighing of waste by the waste disposal company.

KPA 2 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

2.1. Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.

2.2. Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.

2.3. 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

3.1. Ensure that all policies, documentation and SOPs are read, understood and maintain competency.

3.2. Comply with Standard of practice, SHEQ and accreditation requirements.

3.3. Contribute to and participate in continuous safety and quality improvement.

3.4. 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

4.1. Document customer complaints / Compliments / queries and forward documentation to the Supervisor.

4.2. Interact professionally and courteously with internal and external customers.

Blood Bank Technologist

KPA 1 Operational Objectives

1.1. Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:

1.2. Report situations where the critical and non-critical consumables are not available after hours to the Blood Bank (BB) Supervisor.

1.3. Deputise for Shift Supervisor/BB Supervisor when absent or unavailable.

1.4. Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.

1.5. Dispose of waste according to SOP:

1.6. Prepare documentation for waste traceability:

1.7. Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.

1.8. Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company.

KPA 2 Specialist Technical functions

2.1. Check and verify test results performed by registered technicians, registered trainee technicians and registered student technologists.

2.2. Assist BB Supervisor with training and competency assessments.

2.3. 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

3.1. Check equipment to ensure that all instrumentation and equipment is in working order according to SOP criteria.

3.2. Check blood and blood product stock levels, including identifying and reporting of expired units.

3.3. Ensure that all policies, documents and relevant SOP’s are read and understood and maintain competency for the stipulated standard operating procedures.

3.4. Comply with standards of practice, accreditation, QC testing, proficiency testing and safety requirements and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement.

3.5. 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.

3.6. Assist the BB Supervisor with Risk tasks allocated within the agreed timeframes.

KPA 4 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

4.1. Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.

4.2. Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.

4.3. 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

5.1. Document customer complaints / compliments / queries and forward documentation to the BB Supervisor.

5.2. Interact professionally with medical staff and ensure an adequate and efficient response to routine queries.

KPA 6 General Functions

6.1. Perform Shift Supervisor functions and other related duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the laboratory.

6.2. 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.

6.3. 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.