Blood Sciences Operational Lead Haematology & Transfusion Services

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced senior Biomedical Scientist to lead Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services within our Major Trauma and tertiary referral centre.

This is a senior operational and professional leadership role within Blood Sciences, accountable for the safe, effective and compliant delivery of a high‑risk, 24/7 regulated service. The postholder will act as the Trusts Nominated Responsible Person (RP) under the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR), ensuring full regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.

This role offers the opportunity to combine operational leadership, statutory accountability, clinical partnership and workforce development within a high‑performing, forward‑looking pathology service.

We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust offers career development opportunities in a highly progressive working environment and is situated in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

• Provide senior operational leadership across Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services.
• Act as the Trusts Nominated Responsible Person under BSQR, ensuring compliance with MHRA requirements.
• Lead the Quality Management System (QMS) across the portfolio, ensuring ISO
  15189 and regulatory compliance.
• Provide assurance to the Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager regarding service performance, regulatory compliance and patient safety.
• Lead and develop a team of Band 7 Section Leads and associated staff.
• Work in close partnership with Consultant Haematologists and clinical teams to ensure services are clinically aligned and responsive.
• Ensure major haemorrhage protocol governance and emergency transfusion resilience.
• Lead investigation and learning from transfusion incidents and haemovigilance reporting.
• Manage delegated budgets and support service development and transformation initiatives.

• Lead the day‑to‑day delivery of Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services supporting emergency, trauma, elective and specialist pathways.
• Maintain service resilience across 24/7 operations.
• Ensure clinically responsive diagnostic support and contribute to MDT discussions where appropriate.

• Act as Nominated Responsible Person under BSQR.
• Ensure full compliance with MHRA regulatory requirements and maintain inspection readiness.
• Oversee haemovigilance systems including SHOT and SABRE reporting.
• Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented following audits and inspections.

• Line manage Band 7 Section Leads and associated workforce.
• Lead workforce planning, competency assurance and succession planning.
• Support development of advanced and specialist practitioner roles.

• Lead the portfolio‑level Quality Management System.
• Chair performance and assurance meetings.
• Analyse complex data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure actions from incidents, audits and reviews are clearly documented and delivered.

• Manage delegated budgets and monitor expenditure.
• Deliver agreed efficiency improvements while maintaining patient safety.
• Contribute to business cases and service redesign initiatives.