Donation Testing Technician. at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• To be multi-skilled in the Donation Testing Department to perform routine testing and where required second line / confirmatory testing for Blood Grouping (including but not limited to ABO, Rh, Irregular antibody screen, antibody identification, allo-agglutinin titre and syphilis testing), Virology (including but not limited to serological testing for HIV, HCV, HBV), biochemical testing for Serum Ferritin and Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (including but not limited to HBV DNA, HIV and HCV RNA).
• The role requires skills and knowledge of different technical principals such as molecular, chemistry, immunohematology etc. across all testing sections requiring competency across multiple testing systems/automated platforms.

Job description

Ensure operational objectives in the Blood Grouping Section are realised.

• Receive, check and prepare samples for testing according to SOP and IPA criteria as well as the specifications of the individual sections. This includes sample receipt procedures and decapping of samples. Perform manual tracking and scanning of barcodes when automated decapper is not in operation.
• Prepare Blood Grouping instrumentation and reagents for testing in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Ensure that sufficient reagents are available for daily testing.

Perform automated testing according to SOP and ISC criteria for all donors, including second ABO on first time donors:

• ABO Grouping.
• Rh typing.
• Testing for atypical antibodies.
• Testing for alloagglutinin titre.
• Screening for Syphilis.
• Identification of atypical antibodies in donors
• Run reports, select samples and perform automated repeat blood group testing of samples with anomalous first line results according to SOP and IPA criteria.
• Perform second line / repeat testing of samples with anomalous results within the agreed number of working days from the initial testing date and prioritise accordingly so as to ensure a timeous response in the case of ‘specials’.
• Enter results (ABO and Rh) and control information into eProgesa to ensure that all relevant information is available and accurate. Inform Technical Specialist or Head of Lab as soon as possible so that they can ensure that results are checked and confirmed within agree time frames.
• Send samples with anomalous blood grouping results to Red Cell Serology laboratory for confirmatory / supplementary testing as required.
• Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity. Report any anomalies or failures to the relevant technical specialist or Head of Lab as soon as possible.
• Report all errors and breakdowns to relevant Head of Lab and work in such a way so as to minimise user errors.
• Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.
• Perform automated Rh and Kell Phenotyping and other required testing on the current automation e.g. PK7400 instrument.
• Perform automated antibody screening and antibody identification on the current automation e.g. the IH1000 instrument.

Ensure operational objectives in the Virology Section are realised.

• Prepare Virology instrumentation and reagents in accordance with manufacturer specifications and SOP. Ensure that sufficient reagents are available for daily testing.
• Perform automated virology screening on all blood donations for HBsAg, anti-HIV 1 & 2 and anti-HCV according to SOP and ISC criteria on the current automation e.g. Abbott Alinity S.
• Select samples from instrument printouts and perform automated repeat viral testing of samples found to be reactive in first line screening according to SOP and ISC criteria.
• Perform automated Serum Ferritin screening on blood donations according to SOP and ISC criteria on the current automation e.g. the Beckman Coulter DXI800.
• Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity and report any failures / anomalies to the relevant technical specialist or Head of Lab.
• Perform all procedures in such a way so as to maximise kit performance and usage and minimise downtime and wastage.
• Report all errors and breakdowns to the technical specialist / Head of Lab and work in such a way so as to ensure that these amount to less than the agreed upon percentage of total processes per month
• Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.

Ensure operational objectives in the NAT Section are realised.

• Prepare NAT instrumentation and reagents in accordance with manufacturer specifications and SOPs. Ensure that there are sufficient reagents on each instrument for the required testing.
• Perform routine automated Molecular assays for HIV RNA, HCV RNA and HBV DNA according to SOP and ISC criteria on the current automation e.g. the Grifols Panther.
• Select samples from instrument printouts and perform automated repeat molecular testing of samples found to be initial reactive according to SOP and ISC.
• Work NAT night shift or an early morning shift without direct supervision as required ensuring timeous release of results.
• Liaise with Service engineer after hours and give accurate information on instrument breakdown to assist with troubleshooting.
• Check results for control failures so as to ensure result validity and report any failures / anomalies to the relevant technical specialist, NAT Manager or Head of NAT as soon as possible.
• Perform all procedures in such a way so as to maximise kit performance and usage and minimise downtime and wastage.
• Report all errors and breakdowns to relevant Head of Lab or technical specialist and work in such a way so as to minimise user errors.
• Perform testing for validations, projects and pre-batch testing as requested by the Head of Lab.
• Attend User meetings and give users views and opinions.
• Apply molecular techniques in order to minimise contamination.

Ensure instrument and Laboratory Maintenance has been accomplished.

• Be multi-skilled to perform scheduled daily, weekly, monthly or as required instrument and laboratory maintenance in all 3 sections (NAT, Virology and Blood Grouping) on a number of different instruments:, according to SOP criteria and manufacturer specifications. Perform troubleshooting and maintenance on the following instruments (including but not limited to):
• Virology e.g. Abbott Alinity, Beckman Coulter DxI.
• NAT e.g. Grifols Panther
• Blood grouping e.g. Beckman Coulter PK7400, BioRad IH1000, Grifols WA Diana/Eflexis. Elga water system
• Pre-analytical instruments e.g. Beckman Coulter Automate and Roche p512.
• Keep accurate records of maintenance performed (complete documentation as per SOP).
• Dispose of samples, used reagents and waste material according to health and safety regulations and SOP. Perform Waste Controller duties and ensure that the waste management system (e.g. CS Tracker) is followed.

Quality compliance has been achieved in accordance with SOP specifications.

• Be multi-skilled to test internal and external quality controls and proficiency panels in all 3 sections (NAT, Virology and Blood Grouping) according to SOP and to agreed timelines and record results.
• Contribute to SOP compilation by reading new and revised versions within the required timeframe,assisting with the validation processes and maintaining competency for the stipulated standard operating procedures,
• Complete GLP and statistics worksheets daily so as to ensure timeous completion.
• Comply with standards of practice and health and safety requirements (such as wearing required PPE) and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement.
• Complete all relevant health and safety documentation at the workplace within the agreed timeframes.
• Strive to remain well informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing as well as to ensure acquisition of required CEU points for CPD according to HPCSA regulations and IPA specifications.

General administrative functions have been carried out within specified timeframes.

• Assist with stock checks and packing of stock so as to maintain adequate stock levels according to ISC specifications. Inform Head of Lab of low stock levels.
• Perform other job related duties as and when required by the section Head of Lab or manager so as to facilitate efficient running of the laboratory.
• Assist in Quality and Projects section (including Bio-repository in KZN) during staff leave or busy times
• Attend and contribute to department meetings
• Assist with evaluations, trials and installations of instrumentation.
• Assist with second line / confirmatory testing in all 3 sections as and when required.

Competencies.

Cognitive

• Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving.

Personal 

• Ethical behaviour
• Personal Development
• Integrity and trust
• Excellence Orientation
• Perseverance

Interpersonal

• Customer Service Orientation.
• Teamwork
• Knowledge Sharing

Prof. technical

• Systems Competence
• Laboratory skills.
• Blood grouping knowledge.
• Virology knowledge.
• Molecular Skills.

Minimum requirements

Education

• HPCSA Registered Blood Transfusion Laboratory Technician.

Experience and knowledge requirements.

• 1 Year of Blood Transfusion Experience

Special Circumstances.

• Overtime as and when required
• Weekend duties
• May be required to work shifts and night shift as rostered
• Own Transport
• Detail conscious.
• Proficient eye-sight

Apply by: 12 May 2026