Open Roles at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

To be the Specialist Pathologist providing oversight for core clinical laboratories at SANBS:

• Processing.
• Issuing (Blood banks).
• Donation testing.
• Ensure compliance to relevant legal, regulatory and accreditation standards within area of responsibility.
• Plan, implement and monitor medical related initiatives in area of responsibility
• Be responsible for accurate and clinically relevant testing and reporting of all testing performed on patient and donor samples in SANBS laboratories.
• Strategically contribute to training and education (e.g., of registrars and fellows) in the field of transfusion medicine.
• Oversee Infection Prevention Control at SANBS.
• Provide a medical consulting and support service in the area of expertise to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide a medical consulting and support service in the area of expertise to both internal and external stakeholders.

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

KPA 1: Strategic Business Planning & Implementation Relating to Transfusion Medicine. 

• Participate in the design, development and implementation of systems that will ensure the delivery of high-quality blood products and related services.
• Collaborate with the Lead Consultant Patient Blood Management and Transfusion Medicine (LCPBM & TM) and relevant stakeholders, to develop long term strategic plans for the department, aligned with the SANBS vision and mission.
• Develop and execute, in consultation with LC: PBM&TM, an approved departmental business plan and supporting budget and ensure deadlines are met.
• Monitor budget and expenses for business area and specified projects and ensure targets are met.
• Propose potential projects and initiatives in support of the departmental and divisional strategy, obtain approval, implement and monitor the effectiveness thereof.
• Conduct feasibility studies and customer surveys, monitor trends and make recommendations for continuous business improvements and sustainability.
• Draft, obtain approval, implement and monitor policies, procedures and strategies (as required) to accomplish the Purpose, Vision and Mission of SANBS and external stakeholders. 

KPA 2: Improving integral processes in Transfusion Medicine 

• Ensure compliance with legislative requirements and maintain quality standards in line with the national and international standard for clinical laboratories within area of work.
• Oversee core laboratories in all matters pertaining to reporting and testing decisions that may hold clinical impact to patients / blood safety.
• Maintain quality management accreditation of the laboratories including local and international accreditations.
• Propose potential projects, obtain approval, implement and monitor the effectiveness thereof. Ensure that a change management process is followed when new tests and/or services are introduced.
• Ensure up to date validated testing methods and platforms are used in clinical laboratories and that reporting is relevant to our patient population
• Provide support to cellular therapy and immunohematology labs as required.
• Provide medical oversight and assistance as required to prevent stock-outs, improve delivery of appropriate, quality products to patients and decrease customer complaints.
• Provide overall responsibility for sign out of laboratory results including immunohematology and flow cytometry where required.
• Aid, provide clinical oversight, monitor, report on and recommend interventions for clinical developments  within scope of this role - that may impact on blood requirements, transfusion safety or patient outcomes.
• Actively drive and participate in all aspects of the SANBS educational initiatives for all levels of internal and external stakeholders – including but not limited to registrars programs  on all Transfusion Medicine related matters.
• Design and monitor a system to continuously monitor product and service quality failures and take appropriate corrective action.
• Provide clinical oversight, support and advice for all technical and donor related after hours queries during on call periods.

​​​​​​​KPA 3: Quality Assurance and Compliance to Standards of Practice, Policies, Procedures and Protocols

• Have an awareness regarding Cybersecurity and laboratory data integrity.
• Ensure business continuity plans are in place and validated.
• Ensure IPC guidelines are upheld and regularly audited.
• Ensure successful implementation and maintenance of the Standards for the Practice of Blood
• Transfusion in South Africa, GMP, GLP as well as adherence to all relevant legislation with regards to all SANBS activities relevant to area of work.
• Ensure successful implementation and maintenance of laboratory accreditation standards such as SANAS 15189.
• Effective participation in national initiatives relating to the setting of standards and policy development.
• Develop protocols and procedures to guide operational implementation and practice in the specialized area of expertise.
• Develop protocols and procedures to define the quality and acceptance criteria for the various blood products and related transfusion services.
• Develop protocols and procedures to ensure the equitable and sustainable supply of high-quality blood and blood products, and optimized patient outcomes.
• Clinical decision making where deviations from internal protocols are required.
• Provide input into technician and technical education programs that will improve SANBS service delivery and enhance the safety of the blood supply.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure SANBS compliance with National Health Act and other applicable legislation in all applicable sites.
• Benchmark best practice and propose standard updates accordingly to LCPBMTM.
• Identify risks on an enterprise and departmental level and develop plans to mitigate and reduce.

​​​​​​​KPA 4: Customer and Stakeholder Relationship Building

• Map and identify key stakeholders in the core laboratories environments.
• Ensure Internal and external relationship building and networking to ensure collaboration and build strong cross-functional cohesive teams.
• Represent SANBS in consortiums for the establishment of new tests and services.
• Leverage Information Technology in line with the SANBS digitalisation strategy
• Actively contribute to ensuring that SANBS is considered the centre of excellence in the field of transfusion medicine in South Africa and Africa by training of doctors, presenting research, education of medical professionals, etc.
• Participate in review of content in the communication and education of all clinicians and the SouthAfrican  community through newsletters, pamphlets, website articles, and radio or televisioninterviews as required.
• Collaborate with other divisions in SANBS (e.g. Operations, Marketing, and ICT) as required to synergise integrated outcomes in all matters related to patients and transfusion medicine.
• Provide clinical and medical input on external customer related policies and procedures that may impact on patient safety / outcome.
• Provide appropriate and clinical best-practice support and advice to SANBS staff dealing with external customers or patients/recipients, as well as marketing related queries, complaints and related issues.
• Provide support to external stakeholders as required including meetings with and standardized feedback to all relevant stakeholders as required.
• Educate and motivate all role-players in the health care sector within sphere of responsibility.
• Support and liaise MM: PBM as required in area of expertise.
• Provide appropriate TM and clinical best-practice support / advice to technical staff and medical practitioners (within the post-holders field of competence) on the optimal product selection in the management of complex immuno-haematology cases and other complex

​​​​​​​KPA 5: Aligned people Management KPIs

• Create development plans for staff. Conduct performance management and monitor performance on on-going basis through mentoring, coaching, and reviews.
• Mentoring and coaching of junior pathologists in transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.
• Track & encourage individual development by identifying learning and development needs & facilitate attendance of relevant programmes.
• Deal with grievances, conflict and disciplinary issues and take appropriate actions in accordance with SANBS Policy.
• Ensure regular two-way communication with staff matters such as strategy, values, team building, SOPs, policy changes, etc. to ensure understanding.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required, to remain informed of current field-related developments, to promote knowledge sharing.
• Conduct scheduled meetings with direct reports where applicable.
• Wherever possible develop successors within own team where applicable.

​​​​​​​KPA 6: Conduct Research that leads to Innovative Implementation of Solutions

• Participate in cutting edge research in line with best practices in Transfusion Medicine and related fields.
• Communicate the outcome of the research to relevant stakeholders and obtain buy-in to improve our value proposition.
• Maintain personal development plan that leads to continuous development, improvement and expansion on knowledge and skills.
• Establish a portal for innovation that will ensure execution and implementation of viable ideas from employees or stakeholders.
• Engage and participate in national and international working groups’ activities and presentations.
• Represent SANBS in national and international working groups’ activities and presentations.
• Research and gather information on new improved technology and equipment.

Cognitive 

• Innovation 
• Results oriented
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Judgement and decision making
• Holistic / big picture thinking

Personal

• Accuracy 
• Decisiveness
• Assertiveness
• Personal development

Interpersonal 

• Situational awareness 
• Relationship building
• Customer service orientation
• Knowledge sharing

Prof. technical 

• Devotion to Quality 
• Leadership

Leadership 

• Strategic Insight 
• Motivating people
• Practical execution management

Minimum requirements

Education

• MBChB, FCPath Haematology/ Clinical Pathology.
• HPCSA registration – mandatory.
• Valid practising license.

Experience and knowledge requirements

• Medical Pathologist with 3 years laboratory experience post Qualification. 

Other (knowledge and skills)

• Experience in the establishment of new laboratories or test methods will be beneficial.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice.
• Previous experience in a large organisation and working with multiple departments will be beneficial.
• Participation in relevant professional societies.
• Understanding of programmes, procedures and policies relating to processing, issuing and testing of blood
• products and blood transfusion.
• International practices and benchmarking.
• Laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Experience in molecular testing.
• Research experience.
• Good understanding of Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Principles.
• Understanding of the National Health Act and related regulations as it pertains to transfusion medicine. 

Special Circumstances 

• National / international travel as required.
• Driver's license.
• Computer literacy: MS Office, SAP, laboratory and clinical information management systems.
• After hours work – on-call duty for stakeholder consultations (SANBS staff, doctors, etc).
• Flexible working hours.

Apply by: 1 October 2026

go to method of application »

Introduction

• The Incumbent will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of Financial transactions to achieve Operational objectives.

Job description

Key Performance Areas

KPA 1: Ensuring the accuracy of Financial and Cost accounting

KPI

• Assist the Financial accountant with processing of monthly journals (Bank charges, interest and salaries journals, adjusting entries for operating expenditures, prepayments, deposits and accruals.
• Reallocation of all expenses (Company cell phones, travel and other operating expenses) to various General Ledger accounts according to information provided to align with the budget.
• Processing employee expense claims to various profit/cost centres and verifying the compliance with the company guidelines and within HR policies.
• Report to the Financial accountant on any abnormalities pertaining to GL account balances.
• Assist with month-end and year end closings, completeness of the monthly trial balance for financial reporting
• Clearing of queries and prepare the accounts analysis as requested.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of documents and reports required to complete the audit process.

KPA 2: Monitoring of the Clearing Accounts On A Monthly Basis

KPI

• Posting of all costs relating to various suppliers and customer refunds as paid manually through the bank to various Ledger accounts on a monthly basis.
• Posting of all manually paid expenses claims to relevant ledger accounts with correct cost centres.
• Maintain constant communication with Accounts payables to ensure that all documents required for payments and month end accruals are submitted and issues reported to the financial accountant.

KPA 3: Ad hoc Finance responsibilities

KPI

• Maintain constant relationship with the Accounts payable manager and provide assistance and support on accruals and other supplier’s payment related queries.
• Maintain constant relationship with the National Fixed asset manager on matters relating to assets and provide assistance when required.
• Maintain constant relationship with the National Debtors manager in relation to customer refunds and debtors clearing account queries.
• Provide assistance on stock recons and following up on queries relating to stock when required.

KPA 3: SAP System and Stakeholder relationship

KPI

• Maintain constant relationship with the cost centres owners by ensuring that all outstanding queries are resolved such that all information is correctly posted on SAP to allow complete processing of costs.
• Reporting on problems encountered on SAP to Financial accountant and the information system (CIT) department so as to improve system efficiency.

Competencies:

Cognitive:

• Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
• Problem solving 
• Planning, organising and Monitoring 

Personal:

• Ethical behaviour 
• Excellence Orientation 
• Resilience and Stress management 

Interpersonal:

• Customer Service Orientation 
• Organisational Awareness 
• Knowledge Sharing 

Prof. Technical:

• Business and Financial Acumen 
• Systems Competence 
• Technical Skills / Competence:
• Computer Literacy

Minimum requirements

Education:

• BComm Accounting degree

Experience:

• 1 / 2 years prior work experience in finance position.
• General Ledger Reconciliation experience.
• Knowledge of laws and principles regarding accounting, finance procedures and taxation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office and at least Excel at Intermediate level.
• Knowledge of SAP ERP system MS Word (Intermediate).

Other (knowledge and skills),

• Attention to detail
• Sound judgement and confidentiality.
• Deadline driven.

Apply by: 27 September 2026

go to method of application »

Introduction

• Qualified Blood Bank Technician To perform routine testing functions (manual and automated) in blood banks including but not limited to, compatibility, post-natal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations according to Standard Operating Procedures and the Standards of Practice for Blood Transfusion in South Africa.
• Qualified Blood Bank Technologist To perform routine testing functions in Blood Banks including but not limited to, compatibility, postnatal and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations.
• To check and verify test results performed by Registered Blood Bank Technicians, Registered Trainee Technicians and Registered Student Technologists.

Job description

Qualified Blood Bank Technician

KPA 1 Operational Objectives

• Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:
• Check blood and blood product stock levels. Report expired units.
• Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.

Dispose of waste according to SOP:

Prepare documentation for waste traceability:

• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the waste disposal company.

KPA 2 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

• Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
• Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
• Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

• Ensure that all policies, documentation and SOPs are read, understood and maintain competency.
• Comply with Standard of practice, SHEQ and accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to and participate in continuous safety and quality improvement.
• Perform processes to ensure that the number of minor and major deficiencies amount to less than the agreed amount per site.

KPA 4 Customer Relations

• Document customer complaints / Compliments / queries and forward documentation to the Supervisor.
• Interact professionally and courteously with internal and external customers.

Blood Bank Technologist

KPA 1 Operational Objectives

• Perform all operational functions (manual and automated) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and within the required timeframes:
• Report situations where the critical and non-critical consumables are not available after hours to the Blood Bank (BB) Supervisor.
• Deputise for Shift Supervisor/BB Supervisor when absent or unavailable.
• Receive reagents and proficiency tests and store them in designated areas at the correct temperature.

Dispose of waste according to SOP:

• Prepare documentation for waste traceability:
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company.

KPA 2 Specialist Technical functions

• Check and verify test results performed by registered technicians, registered trainee technicians and registered student technologists.
• Assist BB Supervisor with training and competency assessments.
• Perform secondary testing, including but not limited to, problem cross matches, postnatal, antibody investigations and preliminary transfusion reaction investigations within required timeframes and according to SOP specifications.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Objectives

• Check equipment to ensure that all instrumentation and equipment is in working order according to SOP criteria.
• Check blood and blood product stock levels, including identifying and reporting of expired units.
• Ensure that all policies, documents and relevant SOP’s are read and understood and maintain competency for the stipulated standard operating procedures.
• Comply with standards of practice, accreditation, QC testing, proficiency testing and safety requirements and contribute to and participate in continuous quality improvement.
• Strive to remain well informed of current developments to promote knowledge sharing as well as to ensure acquisition of required CPD points according to IPA specifications.
• Assist the BB Supervisor with Risk tasks allocated within the agreed timeframes.

KPA 4 Instrument and Laboratory Maintenance

• Perform daily cleaning of work area, cold rooms, fridges, freezers and all blood banking equipment according to SOP and record the information.
• Check that all equipment and instrumentation is in working order. Report any defects to the Supervisor.
• Monitor the temperature of all equipment used to store blood and blood products and record the information. Report any problems to the Supervisor.

KPA 5 Customer relations

• Document customer complaints / compliments / queries and forward documentation to the BB Supervisor.
• Interact professionally with medical staff and ensure an adequate and efficient response to routine queries.

KPA 6 General Functions

• Perform Shift Supervisor functions and other related duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the laboratory.
• Perform miscellaneous routine laboratory tasks and other job-related duties when required by the supervisors and other senior staff so as to facilitate efficient running of the laboratory.
• Attend meetings to ensure that relevant information is acquired.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G. TRAVEL, WORKING AFTER HOURS ETC.)

• Overtime as and when required.
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled.
• Occasional local and national travel.
• Call out system.
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility.
• Proficient eye-sight.

Minimum requirements

Education

• HPCSA Registered Biomedical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).

Experience and knowledge requirements

• As per HPCSA registration requirement as Medical Technician / Technologist (Blood Transfusion).
• Other (knowledge and skills), e.g. understanding of relevant legislation; knowledge of relevant company procedures.
• Computer Literacy in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G. TRAVEL, WORKING AFTER HOURS ETC.)

• Overtime as and when required.
• Shift work and weekend duties as scheduled.
• Occasional local and national travel.
• General physical health and reasonable endurance and mobility.
• Detail conscious.
• Proficient eye-sight.
• Person cannot be colour blind

Apply by: 25 September 2026