NHS Blood and Transplant

Senior Healthcare Technical Officer (SHTO)

The closing date is 27 July 2025

Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant is an integral part of the NHS. Operating a network of centres across England and North Wales, we 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.

In this role you'll undertake detailed laboratory work and provide vital support to qualified scientific staff. Specifically, that means preparing samples for testing or storage, performing analytical tests and carrying out basic maintenance on equipment. You'll also be on hand to deal with queries from other departments, medical staff or visitors and to assist in the training and development of other support staff.

Were looking for a BTEC/HNC in a Science or other relevant subject, or the NHSBT foundation degree or equivalent. You'll also, ideally, have a working knowledge of basic IT packages and some experience of working unsupervised in a laboratory environment. A good team player, you'll be capable of motivating both yourself and others as you tackle a wide variety of tasks.

The working pattern for this role is 1600 - 0000, Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

  • You will be required to perform a range of scientific and technical activities related to the blood (and where appropriate tissue) donations from our donors, with the support of the team
  • You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff
  • You will be required to undertake precise repetitive manipulation of equipment and blood samples/donations and carry out routine tasks on a regular basis
  • You will be required to handle blood bags and a range of equipment
  • The role will require you to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice
  • You will be required to manually handle equipment on a daily basis weighing up to 13 kgs, with or without mechanical aids, with appropriate training

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you'll 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

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

006875

Job locations

NHSBT

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


Job description

Job responsibilities

What we offer:

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

What we offer:

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 4 qualification e.g. BTEC or HNC in a relevant science subject, NHSBT Foundation Degree OR equivalent knowledge and experience of working in a manufacturing, logistics or supply chain environment requiring intermediate level theoretical knowledge acquired through formal training
  • Evidence of furthering personal development
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development

Experience

Essential

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

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 4 qualification e.g. BTEC or HNC in a relevant science subject, NHSBT Foundation Degree OR equivalent knowledge and experience of working in a manufacturing, logistics or supply chain environment requiring intermediate level theoretical knowledge acquired through formal training
  • Evidence of furthering personal development
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of supervising others
  • Experience of working with Information Technology such as Microsoft Office

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Regional Manufacturing Manager - North

Alexander Dwayre

alexander.dwayre@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

006875

Job locations

NHSBT

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


Supporting documents

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