Haemovigilance Officer Job Description
Job Title: Haemovigilance Officer
Hours: Part Time 24 hrs per Week (Job Sharing )
Location: Pathology Laboratory
Reporting Arrangements
This post will work closely on a day-to-day basis with the Chief / Senior Medical Scientist & Medical Scientists in Blood Transfusion and will report to the Consultant Haematologist and Laboratory Manager.
The Haemovigilance Officer is professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing for matters relating to nursing practice.
Key Working Relationships:
The post holder will work closely with:
The Laboratory Manager
The Consultant Haematologist
Senior Medical Scientist & Medical Scientists working in Blood Transfusion
The Laboratory Quality Manager
The Director of Nursing for all matters relating to nursing practice
Purpose of the Role
The post holder will have responsibility to ensure that Beacon Hospital meets all national and international standards relating to safe transfusion practice.
To maintain highest standards of transfusion safety within Beacon hospital based on best practice guidelines
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The key responsibilities and duties of the Haemovigilance Officer in Beacon Hospital have been divided into five essential categories
1. Clinical Knowledge
2. Quality , Change management ,& Audit
3. Preparing , Delivering and Evaluating the Education programme
4. Information Technology
5. Personal Qualities
Clinical Knowledge
Must possess specially focused knowledge and skills in transfusion practice at a higher level than other clinical staff.
Identifies and seeks to reduce wastage of blood / blood components
Identifies and promotes appropriate transfusion alternatives
Develops and manages systems for identifying , managing, reporting and closing off serious adverse events / reactions and near-misses & non-conformances
Provides leadership in clinical practice & acts as a resource for clinical staff
Generates and contributes to the development & continual updating of clinical policies and procedures
Seeks to advocate on behalf of patients and families to participate in decisions about their transfusion requirements
Quality , Risk & Audit
To initiate , support and implement quality improvement initiatives
To work closely with the laboratory quality officer to ensure legislative and regulatory requirements relating to Haemovigilance are met
Ensure all Haemovigilance audits are completed as per annual laboratory audit schedule
Uses audit results to identify areas for improvement
Uses change management skills to develop and quality Haemovigilance service
To carry out root cause analysis following adverse events / non-conformances and recommend corrective/ preventative actions to improve transfusion safety
To assist transfusion staff in post transfusion infection lookbacks and product recalls
To investigate all reports of transfusion reactions / events and report to consultant haematologist / Hospital Transfusion Committee (HTC)
To attend internal Quality meetings and collate monthly / quarterly key performance indictors (KPI)
To ensure the hospital achieves 100% traceability for blood and Blood components
Preparing , Delivering & Evaluating a Haemovigilance Education Programme
Develops & delivers education programme for all staff involved in transfusion practice
Evaluates effectiveness of training provided
Establishes & maintains systems for managing training records for all Haemovigilance training provided
Identifies own continuing professional development needs and engages appropriately
Information Technology
Proficiency in IT skills relevant to the role
Familiarity with electronic blood management systems (Blood Track or equivalent)
Personnel Qualities
Ability to work independently and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team
Excellent communication / negotiating skills & ability to liaise with individuals / groups at all grades both internally & externally
Has strong results focus and ability to achieve results through collaborative working
Has a professional and dedicated attitude to the role
Is an effective leader and positive driver for change
Demonstrates commitment to further education relevant to the role where appropriate
Is committed to building a professional network to remain up-to-date with current Haemovigilance issues
Demonstrates a strong willingness and ability to operate in the flexible manner that is essential for the effective delivery of the role.
Essential / Desirable Criteria
Clinical Nurse Manager Grade 2 or Senior Medical Scientist
Essential Qualifications / Experience
Be a registered Nurse or CORU registered Medical Scientist
Have a minimum of 5 yrs post registration experience
Hold a post graduate qualification relevant to the role (Haemovigilance / Risk Management / Blood Transfusion / Haematology)
Possess excellent organisational , written, interpersonal communication skills
Proficient in IT skills (Word / Excel /PowerPoint )
Desirable Qualifications / Experience
Previous Haemovigilance experience
Experience in education / training
Experience in root cause analysis / risk management / audit
This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the hospital and the post holder develop this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the hospital'
