Introduction

The Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice is designed for UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS)* working in transfusion science either in a blood establishment (blood centre) or a hospital transfusion laboratory.

*Note:

• Medical Scientists registered with the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM) in Ireland are a recognised equivalent and are welcome to apply.
  

• Non-HCPC registered NHS employees working in transfusion science must be working at career grade 5 (or higher) to be eligible. This is typically equivalent to entry-level BMS grade.
  

• Applications from other non-UK based scientists working in blood transfusion will be considered on a case-by-case basis but must also meet the following minimum eligibility criteria (scroll down).Please note that this qualification is based on UK practices and guidelines.

**The BBTS Specialist Certificate is not a certificate of competence to practice; the assessment of competence remains the responsibility of your employer.

This programme of study will build and consolidate your core knowledge and understanding of transfusion science, while developing your analytical and practical skills required for data interpretation, critical thinking and provision of solutions to differing laboratory situations, commensurate with the level of Specialist Practitioner in Transfusion Science (NHS career framework grade 6 and above).

Minimum eligibility criteria for all applicants

• have a BSc in a relevant healthcare science (or demonstrable equivalent) E.g. candidates with HCPC or ACSLM registration, but without a BSc, are deemed to have demonstrable equivalence

• be working at practitioner level (NHS career framework grade 5 equivalent) or higher
  

  • trainee registrants are not eligible

• be working in a transfusion laboratory environment during the programme of study
  

  • applicants not working in a transfusion environment are not eligible for this programme

• be a member of the BBTS 

  • on application

  • throughout the programme (including any resit/deferral period)

  • at examination and result release date

    • Failure to maintain/renew membership fees may result in withdrawal from examination / programme and/or a deferral being voided.

And preferably have:

• previous experience of working in a transfusion laboratory or establishment at practitioner level (recommendation: minimum of 6 months) 

Additional information for International Applicants:
This qualification is based on UK practice and guidelines only
Proof of your English language proficiency is required (see later) 
In line with current UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements
Exemptions may apply

English Language Proficiency for International Applicants

Where English is an additional language you must provide either of the following test certificate(s):

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 
  

  • Minimum Score: 7.0 with no element below 6.5

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
  

  • Minimum score: 100/120

• Occupational English Test (OET)

TOEFL test scores undertaken in the United Kingdom are not accepted.

Most English language test results are only valid for two years and must be valid on the start date of the course.
 

Exemption from language proficiency test

You can declare that English is your first language, meaning you don't have to provide certification. This must only be done if it is the main or only language that you use on a day-to-day basis. Having studied English or undertaken higher education that was taught in English is not sufficient to claim that English is your first language.

If you are a citizen of a relevant European State* you do not need to provide proof of your English language proficiency. To be exempt from providing proof of English Language competence you must provide evidence that you are a citizen of a relevant European State. This will usually be a certified copy of your passport or a certified copy of your national identity card.

* The relevant European States are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.