Nicki Lawrence BSc (Hons) MSc CSci FIBMS

Advanced Practitioner in Morphology and Peripheral Blood Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Quality Manager.

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent

Biography

Presentation Title: Advanced Practice for Biomedical Scientists in Haematology

Abstract:

Severe understaffing within Clinical Haematology departments together with a lack of trainees choosing the specialty has led to the need to look at alternative solutions to increase the clinical workforce.

The diagnostic landscape of haematological disease has changed dramatically over the last 15 years with the expansion of genomic medicine services however morphology remains a cornerstone of the diagnostic work-up of a patient as it often provides the first clue as to the underlying diagnosis.

The workforce issues described above combined with a lack of experienced Morphologists led to the development of an Advanced Practitioner in Morphology role to work alongside the consultant team in morphology reporting. The introduction of this role has allowed the clinical team to focus on patient care and for many teams within the Trust to have an expert point of contact.

My presentation will provide an overview of my role as an Advanced Practitioner in Morphology, what the role involves, and how it can support both laboratory and clinical haematology.

Speaker Bio:

I am currently working as an Advanced Practitioner in Morphology and Peripheral Blood Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Quality Manager. I am also our department’s Training Officer. I started my career in Haematology 30 years ago as a lab assistant and completed under-graduate and post-graduate studies in Biomedical Science. I have completed the IBMS Certificate in Training, the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Haematology and I am the only person to have completed and successfully passed the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Routine Haematology although I’m ever hopeful that this group of one will expand in the near future.

I am the IBMS Deputy Chief Examiner for Haematology and a member of the IBMS Haematology Specialist Advisory Panel. I’m a member of the UK NEQAS Morphology Scientific Advisory Group and a member of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists Specialist Advisory Group. I am also a Chartered Scientist and I currently audit Chartered and Registered Scientists annual CPD audit submissions for the Science Council/IBMS.