Haemovigilance Officer

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'