IBMS Verifiers and Examiners: Blessing Manyanga
2 February 2024
This Year, we're celebrating the amazing contributions of our verifiers and examiners and asking them about the vital work they do on behalf of the profession
- What is your name, job role and where do you work?
My name is Blessing Manyanga and I work for Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services based at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.
- Why did you get involved in completing IBMS verifications / examinations?
I got involved in the verification process initially because I wanted to make a difference for candidates that had gone through the challenging process of completing their portfolios. I completed my generic portfolio as a band 2 BMA and it was a challenging time doing the portfolio at the same time as working in specimen reception. My specialist was also completed whilst I was working full time. After putting in all that effort, the verifier's role is so important and enables the candidate to proceed to the next step in their career. My experience made me want help with that process so that I could enable future students progress in their careers.
- Would you say your practice or your workplace has benefited from your involvement in verifications / examinations?
The simple answer is yes! Overseeing verifications is really useful for CPD and there are usually some good practices in other laboratories that I can take back to my own laboratory. Generic portfolios are so diverse so you get more knowledge and appreciation of the other disciplines and how they tie into other aspects of patient care. After all, biomedical science is not one field - all the fields contribute patient care.
- What's your favourite thing about being an IBMS Verifier / Examiner?
There are several things that come to mind. Its difficult to pick just one! Networking with other hospitals is really important. Speaking to other training officers and candidates makes me proud of the profession. Also, it feels great to make a difference to the field of biomedical science by supporting and identifying candidates that are the future of the profession. It's thinking about the bigger picture - which is the growth of the profession lead by scientists who have gone through this process and met the HCPC's high standards.
- Would you recommend becoming an IBMS Verifier / Examiner to others?
Absolutely. Its a no-brainer. I highly recommend this to all specialist biomedical scientists. The more verifiers there are, the quicker we can get all of our trainees through the verification process. This means we can have more fully qualified and registered staff, which ultimately means less biomedical scientist staff shortages across the NHS - which has been and is still a common problem. If there were more verifiers, we would only need to do one or two a year each to keep up with the demands for the profession. All the verifier training is provided by the IBMS and they are very supportive and quick to respond if there are any issues. I think every laboratory who benefits from verifications should consider training and developing a verifier.
If you want to find out more about the eligibility criteria and download the application form to become an IBMS Verifier or Examiner click here>>>
Please also feel free to watch these refresher training resources we have provided for our existing verifiers and examiners:
IBMS Training for Trainers - Verifiers : Part 1
IBMS Training for Trainers - Verifiers : Part 2
IBMS Training for Trainers - Specialist Portfolio Assessors