JOB SUMMARY

Umbilical cord blood, rich in Haematopoietic Stem Cells, is widely used around the world as an alternative graft source for bone marrow reconstitution in the treatment of many blood diseases and disorders.
NHSBT Cord Blood Bank was started in 1996 and is responsible for the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of cord blood stem cell units to transplant centres around the globe. To date the NHSBT Cord Blood Bank has provided more than 900 transplants from a bank of more than 20,000 cryopreserved products.
Reporting to the Head of Cord Blood Collections, the post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the collection teams. Managing a small team of donor recruitment and collection assistants, key responsibilities will include oversight of cord blood collection room, management of laboratory, participation in quality assurance schemes, management of internal quality improvement programs, and stock/consumable management. Daily staff interactions and reinforcing our relationships with the NHS staff and Heads of Maternity.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Broad science knowledge and specialist knowledge of transfusion/transplantation science gained working as a Healthcare Scientist
• In depth understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare community
• Evidence of working to the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice and other relevant or statutory guidelines.
• Supervisory experience
• Experience of working with Information Technology including Microsoft Office packages

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

• Science graduate with relevant post graduate training e.g. British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate, or equivalent post graduate qualification
• Evidence of continuous learning and professional development
• Willingness to train and work in all areas of Cord Blood Banking, across different sections or departments

ABOUT US

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
  Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.
  This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 2nd February 2025
  Interviews are anticipated to be held on Friday 21st February 2025 subject to confirmation.
  For informal enquiries please contact:
  Name: Prasharnie Pushpanathan
  Job Title: CBB Collection Team Manager
  Contact Details: Prasharnie.Pushpanathan@nhsbt.nhs.u

In this role you will be required to manage the day to day activities of a discrete team in the Cord Bank and be responsible for the standard of work of their team and the quality of the results produced. You will be required to:

• Prioritise, co-ordinate and supervise the workload of a team of cord blood collection staff, ensuring that work is performed to the required high standard and within required time frames
• To perform, analyse, interpret, document and report both routine and specialist/complex investigations.
• To recruit and consent potential donor mothers and to assess their suitability as donors.
• To harvest cord blood and associated samples.
• Employ in depth knowledge of the Donor selection Guidelines (DSG) and its rationale to interpret and make judgements on the suitability of units for banking.
• To analyse and perform complex processing of cord blood stem cells.
• To contribute to a clinical laboratory service leading to release of reports and therapeutic products.
• To assist in the maintenance of quality systems required to ensure that all premises and procedures for unrelated cord blood collections are compliant with mandatory licensing and HTA requirements, other accreditation requirements and relevant policies and guidelines.
• Produce monthly activity reports and collate key performance indicators.
• May attend meetings representing the department on manager’s behalf.
• May deputise for the manager in his/her absence.
• To work and supervise across all areas of cord bank as required.
• Supports developing the service in anticipation of future clinical needsEvaluate, calibrate, monitor and maintain all equipment
• Validate, and test for acceptance, computer software, equipment, reagents or materials,
• Deputise for the manager in his/her absence and attend meetings representing the department on manager’s behalf
• Recruit, supervise, train and mentor new and less experienced staff and conducts Personal Development Reviews

Willingness to provide cover for a shift working rota which may include evening, weekend and public holiday working in times of operation difficulty