Attendees should be working in an NHSBT laboratory or be working in or rotating into a hospital transfusion laboratory, and have basic knowledge of laboratory procedures and health and safety.

This course is specifically designed for:

• Trainee Biomedical Scientists
• Trainee Healthcare Scientists or Clinical Scientists
• Biomedical Scientists from multi-disciplinary pathology laboratories who require basic transfusion science laboratory knowledge and skills
• Newly HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists
• Biomedical Scientists with limited knowledge of blood transfusion, or who are returning to work from a career break.

If you do not fit into one of these categories, then please contact scientificandclinicaltrai@nhsbt.nhs.uk to discuss which transfusion science course best fits your needs.

This course will enable you to:

• Perform basic ABO and RhD grouping using the appropriate techniques and interpret results and data
• Perform antibody screening and identification, and correctly identify samples containing an irregular antibody
• Perform a serological crossmatch and identify incompatible units as well as those suitable for transfusion
• Have an increased understanding of the underpinning knowledge required to carry out these techniques

The following topics are covered within this course:

• Red cell antigens and antibodies
• Basic ABO, Rh and other major blood group information
• Antibody screening and basic antibody identification methods
• Pre-transfusion testing guidelines
• Basic ‘blood group serology' techniques
• Provision of blood components
• Hazards of transfusion

The Practical Introduction to Transfusion Science course is a 5-day programme.

There are 3 days of structured digital learning packages and virtual classroom teaching over Zoom, presenting opportunity for the application of theory to case-based exercises and providing facilitated learning and group discussion.

There are 2 days of face-to-face, practical laboratory-based teaching in a training laboratory

Please ensure that you have received an email confirming your enrolment and Joining Instructions for accessing the Brightspace e-learning platform. The Zoom link for the virtual classroom sessions will be posted in Announcements in Brightspace prior to the course starting. If you have any problems in accessing Brightspace or the Zoom virtual classroom, then please email scientificandclinicaltrai@nhsbt.nhs.uk