Donor Carer

Donor Carer

Portsmouth Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to support blood donation and ensure a positive experience for donors.
  • Company: NHSBT is dedicated to saving lives through blood and organ donation across the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days leave, and a comprehensive training programme.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by helping save lives while developing valuable skills in healthcare.
  • Qualifications: Good numeracy and literacy skills; valid UK driving licence required.
  • Other info: No night shifts; work includes evenings and weekends with a supportive team environment.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

Donor Carer – Blood Donation Mobile Team

This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer to the pay point above the base of Band 3.

Job Summary

Being part of a proactive professional team and learning new skills.

Working in a fast moving and variable environment, this essential role to undertake blood donations for the production of blood and blood products will directly contribute to the saving and improving of patients’ lives.

As part of the selection process, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a Blood Donation Session / Clinic, so that you can gain a more in-depth understanding of the requirements of this role. You will need to attend in person for the session tour and face to face interview.

We’ll provide an extensive induction and training programme including the Skills for Health Care Certificate which is recognised as a foundation to healthcare support throughout the NHS.

You will receive ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.

The role involves working a variety of hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays but no night shifts!

Main duties of the job

As a Donor Carer, you will have the opportunity to learn skills and train to be an essential member of our donor team. You will play a vital role in saving and improving lives on a daily basis in an interesting environment where every day is different. Your responsibilities will include: –

  • Taking part in training to learn how to venepuncture by inserting a needle into a donor’s arm to achieve a blood donation unit.
  • Looking after our donors throughout their donation journey to ensure they have a positive experience and care.
  • Loading, unloading, assembling and dismantling equipment to setup and prepare our blood donation session.
  • Ensuring all documentation from donors is recorded, keeping accurate records throughout the session.
  • Encouraging donors to return by building relationships and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
  • Ensuring the safe handling and management of blood products, needles and a range of equipment.
  • Driving a 7.5 tonne van and 15-seater minibus as and when required (training and assessment will be provided).

As blood donation takes place in a variety of locations, you will be required to undertake long journeys (sometimes up to 2 hours) in NHSBT vehicles. You will also be required to work variable hours and days, including long days, evenings, weekend and bank holidays with appropriate notice of the rota.

About You

Qualifications

  • Have a good standard of numeracy and literacy.
  • Be willing to undertake development and training to upskill yourself including completion of the Skills for Health Care Certificate.
  • Hold a valid full UK Driving Licence (Manual) with no more than 6 penalty points (provisional licences will not be accepted)

Experience

  • Have experience of dealing with the public.
  • Have experience of delivering a quality customer service.
  • Be willing to learn new technology skills and undergo digital training.

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHSBT, 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 You

  • 6-week training period to fully prepare you for your career with us.
  • Rotas published 6 weeks ahead of time.
  • No night shifts.
  • Payments for unsociable hours, overtime, meal and driving allowances where applicable.
  • NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role allows.
  • 27 days per year plus 8 bank/public holiday. Pro rata if part-time. Leave increases to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • An NHS career pathway- 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.
  • 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

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

If you are shortlisted for this role, you will need to attend in person for a mandatory blood collection session tour, so we can provide you with more in-depth understanding of this role. This will be followed by a face-to-face interview. We are unable to arrange virtual interviews or tours. Please also note that our travel policy does not allow for the payment of travel expenses.

The normal working hours for this role are 37.5 hours per fortnight. You will be working on a shift basis but, the normal hours for this role are 4 days per fortnight. Early shifts start at approximately 07:00am / 08:00am and finish around 17:00pm. Late shifts start at 10:00am and finish 22:00pm / 23:00pm, this will be approximately 9.5 hour days.

This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on Tuesday 5th August 2025, subject to change, however this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early.

Session visit and interview dates are to be confirmed.

For informal enquiries please contact: Judy McCabe – Senior Sister, via email at: judy.mccabe@nhsbt.nhs.uk #J-18808-Ljbffr

Donor Carer employer: NHS Blood and Transplant

At NHS Blood and Transplant, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Our supportive work culture fosters continuous learning and professional growth, with comprehensive training programmes and flexible working opportunities that cater to your lifestyle. Join us in a role where every day is different, and you can truly make a difference by saving lives while enjoying generous leave entitlements and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing.
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Contact Detail:

NHS Blood and Transplant Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Donor Carer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the blood donation process and the role of a Donor Carer. Understanding the journey donors go through will help you engage better during the Blood Donation Session and showcase your enthusiasm for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to demonstrate your customer service skills during the face-to-face interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully dealt with the public or provided exceptional service, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Since you'll be working in various locations, consider how you can show your flexibility and adaptability. Be ready to discuss your willingness to work different hours and travel, as this will reflect positively on your application.

✨Tip Number 4

Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions during the Blood Donation Session. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gain insights that can set you apart in the interview process.

We think you need these skills to ace Donor Carer

Customer Service Skills
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Empathy and Compassion
Teamwork
Time Management
Basic Numeracy and Literacy
Ability to Learn New Skills
Driving Skills (valid UK Driving Licence)
Adaptability to Variable Working Hours
Record Keeping
Problem-Solving Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Health and Safety Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Donor Carer. Read through the job description carefully and note any specific skills or experiences that are highlighted.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences relevant to the Donor Carer position. Highlight any previous customer service experience and your ability to work in a team, as these are crucial for this role.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you are interested in the Donor Carer position. Mention your passion for helping others and how your skills align with the values of NHSBT, such as caring and quality.

Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, you'll need to attend a blood donation session and an interview. Prepare by researching common interview questions for healthcare roles and think about how you can demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent donor care.

How to prepare for a job interview at NHS Blood and Transplant

✨Understand the Role

Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of what a Donor Carer does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and the importance of blood donation in saving lives. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills

Since this role involves dealing with the public, be prepared to discuss your experience in delivering quality customer service. Think of specific examples where you've gone above and beyond to ensure a positive experience for customers or clients.

✨Demonstrate Willingness to Learn

The job requires ongoing training and development, so it's crucial to express your eagerness to learn new skills. Be ready to talk about any previous training experiences and how they have helped you grow professionally.

✨Prepare for Practical Assessments

As part of the selection process, you may need to attend a Blood Donation Session/Clinic. Use this opportunity to observe and ask questions. Being proactive during this session can demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the role.

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