The Transfusion Practitioner will work as part of a team to support the Transfusion Nurse Specialist (TNS), the Hospital Transfusion Committee (HTC) and Hospital TransfusionTeam (HTT) to manage the risk and optimize the quality and safety in blood transfusionthrough policy, education and training and the appropriate use of blood components. To support the TNS and the HTC with the implementation of guidance, legislation andregulation in blood transfusion practice. Dimensions eg Number of staff managed/budgetary responsibilities Be a member of the HTC and HTT Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and protocols for bloodtransfusion Implement and facilitate the training and education for relevant clinical staff in bloodtransfusion practice across all disciplines and processes. Participate in local, regional and national audit programs. Participate in the investigation and reporting of transfusion related incidents Deputise for the TNS in her/his absence Communications and Relationships Works well in a team and with other members of the multidisciplinary team Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience RN 1st level Nurse Degree in health related subject Evidence of continuing professional development Evidence of competence in transfusion practice relevant to current role IT skills Significant post graduate experience at band 5/6 Teaching experience An ability to maintain a good working relationship across the multidisciplinary team Experience of change management and evidence of the implementation of evidencebased practice Excellent interpersonal/communication skills Management and organizational skills The ability to motivate staff Effective problem solving skills A clean driving license Experience of the audit process Haematology background An understanding of current transfusion legislation Experience in incident investigation (formally known as Root Cause Analysis (RCA)) Qualification/ experience in blood transfusion practice. An understanding of the diversity of practice within the different specialties and howtransfusion fits into this. Teaching certificate C&G 730/ENB 998/ equivalent or prepared to undertake Patient/Client care: Please specify the level of involvement in the provision of care to patients/clients and including how responsibility is shared with others. The main purpose of the role is principally about the provision of safe, high quality care forall patients having, or who have the potential to have a blood transfusion. Must act as patient advocate and facilitate/support patient choice in transfusion May be required to discuss sensitive information with patient/relatives. Required to participate in surveys for patient views Required to provide specialist advice to contribute to the care of patients havingtransfusion, the use of alternative therapies and introduction of strategies to improve theoverall experience for the patient. Policy and Service Development:Level of involvement in the implementation of policy and contribution to the decision making process bothwithin own department and other functions. Contribute towards the development and implementation of trust wide policies and protocols for blood transfusion and patient ID. Required to be an active member of the HTT and HTC where planning and decision making skills are required with trust wide implications. Required to participate in working parties/project groups for service development in transfusion. Financial and Physical Resources e.g. budget, stock and equipment:Responsibility for cash, budgets, and physical assets, vehicles, plant and machinery including the security ofequipment. Responsible for actively promoting the appropriate use of blood components which has apositive impact on the blood budget for the transfusion laboratory. The transfusionpractitioner requires the knowledge to promote appropriate use of blood components. Responsible for encouraging best practice to reduce wastage in transfusion resulting insavings in the blood budget. Good transfusion policy/practice impacts positively upon the Trust risk assuranceassessment and the subsequent contributions to the scheme Human Resources:Responsibilities of the job for the training and development of employees/students/trainees. In additionresponsibility for the operational management of staff such as recruitment, discipline, appraisal, and careerdevelopment. Participates in the implementation of training, education and competency assessment for all clinical staff groups who have part to play in caring for patient having a transfusion orthe potential for blood transfusion. Mentorship of student nurses, doctors, midwives and biomedical scientists. Facilitates the development and training of link nurse network across the trust. Information Resources:Level of responsibility for either paper based or computerized records and systems, responsibility forinformation systems both hardware and software, plus the generation and creation of information Required to prepare and keep accurate information for audit, training and education,incident investigation, etc. Basic IT skills, including Microsoft office programmes. Will use established data bases/ spread sheets for data input. May be required to set up spread sheets for data processing. Research and Development:Responsibility for informal or formal clinical or non-clinical R & D including audit. May be required to participate in research as directed by the Hospital TransfusionCommittee, Haematologist or Transfusion Nurse Specialist etc. Freedom to Act Must develop knowledge and skills in clinical and scientific aspects of transfusion practiceto a high level in order to advise staff including doctors, nurses etc. Required to act without direct supervision most of the time, but aware of own limitations. Works within the trust policies/protocols and national guidelines/ legislation May lead on specific projects within own scope of practice. Control of Infection All Trust staff have a duty to provide a safe environment by considering adherence to infection prevention and control as an integral part of their roles and responsibilities. The individual roles and responsibilities for staff are outlined in the Trusts Control of Infection policy (IC 1). There should be specific discussion of control of infection within the KSF/Appraisal process and as a minimum all staff must demonstrate good hand hygiene and practice and support the Clean Your Hands Campaign. N.B. Within transfusion there is always the potential for blood borne viruses and other infections to be transmitted through donor blood. It is the transfusion nurses responsibility to raise awareness of this issue and promote the appropriate use of blood to minimize the potential for infection. Privacy, dignity, respect & equality of opportunity The Trust is committed to ensuring that all current and potential staff, patients and visitors are treated with dignity, fairness and respect regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, religion or belief or employment status. Staff will be supported to challenge discriminatory behaviour. Professional Code of Conduct (if appropriate) To abide by the Code of Practice of Professional body as published by the relevant regulatory body (if appropriate). Code of conduct for Senior Managers (if appropriate) To adhere to the Code of Conduct for NHS Senior Managers.