NHS Blood and Transplant

Tissue Bank Assistant

The closing date is 07 April 2026

Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant is an integral part of the NHS. It saves thousands of lives by collecting over 2.5 million donations of blood and blood products every year. It also delivers a range of Tissue Grafts for use in replacement surgery.

You will be an integral part of the Eye Bank team, processing blood and retrieved tissues into clinical standard grafts following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), for use in transplant surgeries and eyedrop treatment.

Working in a fast moving and variable environment your essential role will directly contribute to saving and improving lives.

You will undertake an extensive induction and training programme, with ongoing assessment, and receive ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.

We're looking for someone who is educated to A level (science) standard or has equivalent knowledge of science or healthcare work, literate, numerate and able to assume the responsibilities of working in clean room environment. A willingness to partake in the specialised training that this role requires is essential. Ideally, youll also possess an understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

Main duties of the job

  • You will be required to support and assist in the work of the Eye Bank under supervision, performing a range of routine tasks.
  • You will ensure the efficient functioning of all aspects of tissue processing, storage and issuing to the required quality standards using laboratory equipment.
  • You will assist in developing the service in anticipation of future clinical needs. You will be required to update production records written and/or electronic, to take receipt of, and account for, incoming tissues and materials.
  • You will be able to lift and carry items up to a weight of 15kgs, with and without the use of mechanical aids
  • You will be required to participate in a routine Saturday and Sunday working rota Shift times will be 07:00-15:00 or 10:00-18:00
  • You will be required to process corneas, sclera and serum eyedrops
  • Duties will include maintenance and environmental monitoring of cleanrooms and associated laboratory areas, and housekeeping activities will be required

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

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

008594

Job locations

NHSBT

Filton

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a key member of the NHS Blood and Transplant Eye Bank team, you will help save and improve lives by processing blood and donated eye tissues into clinicalgrade grafts and serum eyedrops in a fastmoving, GMPregulated cleanroom environment. You will carry out routine laboratory tasks, support tissue processing, storage and issuing, maintain production records, and contribute to service development while completing a comprehensive training and induction programme. The role requires Alevel science knowledge (or equivalent experience), strong literacy and numeracy skills, the ability to work safely with laboratory equipment and lift items up to 15kg, and participation in weekend and shift rotas. What we offer:

  • Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
  • Generous annual leave - 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.
  • Inclusive 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: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions‎
  • Supportive learning culture - 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.
  • Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endevour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

  • Read about our application process
  • Learn more about our culture at NHSBT

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a key member of the NHS Blood and Transplant Eye Bank team, you will help save and improve lives by processing blood and donated eye tissues into clinicalgrade grafts and serum eyedrops in a fastmoving, GMPregulated cleanroom environment. You will carry out routine laboratory tasks, support tissue processing, storage and issuing, maintain production records, and contribute to service development while completing a comprehensive training and induction programme. The role requires Alevel science knowledge (or equivalent experience), strong literacy and numeracy skills, the ability to work safely with laboratory equipment and lift items up to 15kg, and participation in weekend and shift rotas. What we offer:

  • Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
  • Generous annual leave - 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.
  • Inclusive 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: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions‎
  • Supportive learning culture - 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.
  • Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endevour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

  • Read about our application process
  • Learn more about our culture at NHSBT

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A Level qualification in a science subject or NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification or equivalent knowledge of science or health care work at a basic level acquired through formal training and experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A Level qualification in a science subject or NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification or equivalent knowledge of science or health care work at a basic level acquired through formal training and experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Filton

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Filton

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Eye Bank Manager, Bristol

David Usherwood

david.usherwood@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

31 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

008594

Job locations

NHSBT

Filton

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Supporting documents

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