My journey with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) started while studying for my Biomedical Sciences degree at Northumbria University. The university was accredited by IBMS, which meant I had the opportunity to do placement at NHSBT for 1 year.

My placement was split between 6 months with Red Cell Immunohaematology and 6 months with Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. This meant I got to experience both transfusion and transplantation work during my placement.

Shortly after my placement I was employed as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist at NHSBT, while I achieved my Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration through my degree. Once I completed my degree and earned my HCPC registration I then moved to my current role as a Biomedical Scientist at NHSBT.

A typical day involves testing patient samples from hospitals. Sometimes these are routine samples and we just need to identify and highlight any antibodies that the patient might have made as either a result of transfusion or pregnancy. However, sometimes we get samples that are more urgent for things like cross-matching where the patient will need urgent blood.

A specific highlight right now is a patient that has a complicated and rare blood type and there have been times where they’ve needed a transfusion. In the past, it's been a struggle to find blood for that patient. But my colleagues and I have been involved in screening the national blood bank for specific donor units that would be compatible for the patient. Once we find suitable blood we perform additional testing on the units. When we do find units that are compatible, we send them to the frozen blood bank so they can freeze them and keep them for the patient just in case they need a transfusion. This feels really rewarding because you know you’re contributing to something that’s very rare.

I’ve actually had quite a lot of opportunities for development. I’d say one of the big things I was involved in is that there is a RCI intensive training course which is held in Barnsley. I was one of the first cohorts to receive the training when I was just starting out. It was in an environment with 8 trainees where they went through the fundamental techniques that you would need for working in the lab and went through a lot of the background and theory to all the tests.

I'd say part of the reason I’ve stayed with NHSBT is that I’ve been really well supported throughout my degree and role as a Biomedical Scientist.