Senior Healthcare Technical Officer (SHTO)
This vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early.
Job Summary
The International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) sits within NHSBT.
The Red Cell Reference (RCR) department of IBGRL provides an internationally renowned immunohaematology reference service for NHSBT and the international transfusion community.
We are looking to recruit a pro-active, enthusiastic and highly motivated SHTO to work with an enthusiastic and dedicated team, including clinical and biomedical scientists, providing a range of serological testing to screen donors for rare blood groups. Your work will include confirming these rarities and will directly contribute to saving and improving patient’s lives. You will also take a supporting role in developing the Rare Donor Screening program to ensure our patients rare blood needs are met and support scientific staff in the day-to-day running of the laboratory.
This position demands great team working and organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to precisely follow written and verbal instructions. Good communication skills are essential.
Main duties of the job
* You will be required to perform a range of clerical, scientific and technical activities related to the preparation and testing of blood from our rare donors and patients, with the support of the team.
* You will manage operate and carry out basic maintenance on equipment.
* You will be required to undertake precise repetitive manipulation of equipment and blood samples and carry out routine tasks on a regular basis.
* You will be required to handle blood samples and a range of equipment.
* The role will require you to work set days and hours by prior agreement (Monday to Friday) with some flexibiity to cover colleagues by prior arrangement when required.
* 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 You
Qualifications
* 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
* Experience of working with Information Technology such as Microsoft Office
Experience of supervising others
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.
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.
The working pattern for this role is Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00
To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 30th November 2025.
Interviews are anticipated to be held on 11th December 2025 subject to confirmation
For informal enquiries please contact Ben Jones Red Cell Reference Manager, via email at Ben.Jones@nhsbt.nhs.uk