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NHS Blood and Transplant

Biomedical Laboratory Assistant (known as HHTO)

The closing date is 15 May 2025

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Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) collect around 2 million units of blood and tissues a year, converting them into safe and effective blood components, blood and tissue products for use in the treatments of patients. Join our Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) lab and youll help to provide a range of testing and support services for immunogenetic diagnostic testing and stem cell and solid organ transplantation. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to gain experience of working in a laboratory as youll be fully trained to perform essential tasks using some of the latest laboratory analysers and testing systems.

Main duties of the job

You will learn hands-on skills and take your first steps into a professional career within the NHS. Youll be fully trained in a range of routine clinical, technical and scientific activities to prepare and test blood samples from transplant patients and their donors. This includes handling blood samples. Once youre fully trained you may also be required to share your knowledge by supporting and training less experienced staff within your team. In order to support the lab you might also have to manually handle equipment weighing up to 13kgs sometimes without mechanical aids. But dont worry, you will receive appropriate training to assist you with this.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need. Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever. You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Details

Date posted

08 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

006420

Job locations

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory carries out HLA typing, crossmatching and antibody screening in support of solid organ and stem cell transplantation, the provision of specialist blood products and immunogenetic and disease association testing. We have direct involvement with clinicians, for example, in transplantation, we use our test results to provide advise on the compatibility of a potential organ or stem cell donor and the recipient. Working within a modern laboratory environment you will be operating some of the latest laboratory analysers and testing systems to produce accurate and timely test results. Tests include molecular (DNA) based, including gene sequencing and multiplex solid phase platform assays.

What we offer:

Predictable working hours with no weekend working.

Extensive training and induction programme.

NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.

27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.

NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions ‎  

We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory carries out HLA typing, crossmatching and antibody screening in support of solid organ and stem cell transplantation, the provision of specialist blood products and immunogenetic and disease association testing. We have direct involvement with clinicians, for example, in transplantation, we use our test results to provide advise on the compatibility of a potential organ or stem cell donor and the recipient. Working within a modern laboratory environment you will be operating some of the latest laboratory analysers and testing systems to produce accurate and timely test results. Tests include molecular (DNA) based, including gene sequencing and multiplex solid phase platform assays.

What we offer:

Predictable working hours with no weekend working.

Extensive training and induction programme.

NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.

27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.

NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions ‎  

We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 qualification e.g. A Levels OR National Diploma in a relevant subject area OR extensive experience of working in a laboratory, manufacturing, logistics or supply chain environment.
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with Information Technology such as Microsoft Office.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 qualification e.g. A Levels OR National Diploma in a relevant subject area OR extensive experience of working in a laboratory, manufacturing, logistics or supply chain environment.
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with Information Technology such as Microsoft Office.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lab Ops Manager

Aliyye Karasu

aliyye.karasu@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

08 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

006420

Job locations

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

NHS Blood and Transplant's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)