Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome donors and ensure a positive experience while collecting blood donations.
- Company: Join NHS Blood and Transplant, a vital organisation saving lives through blood donation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, comprehensive training, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by saving lives in a supportive and inclusive team environment.
- Qualifications: Good numeracy and literacy skills; customer service experience; full UK driving licence required.
- Other info: In-person interviews and tours are mandatory; travel expenses are not covered.
NHS Blood and Transplant collects over 7,000 blood donations every day providing vital blood and blood products that help to save and improve the lives of thousands of people every year. Our team provides a welcoming and special environment for our donors, ensuring they receive exceptional, first-class care. We save lives but we don’t work in hospitals. We collect blood from donors in Donor Centres and in our community.
As a Healthcare Assistant Blood Donation, you will have the opportunity to learn valuable skills and be an essential member of our team. You’ll play a vital role in saving and improving lives daily in an environment where every day is different. 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.
Main duties of the job
- Welcoming donors at the start of their donor journey to ensure a positive experience throughout their visit.
- Collecting safe blood component donations to ensure we provide a high-quality product for patients.
- Taking part in training to learn how to insert a needle into a donor’s arm.
- Undertaking training to observe the donor’s well-being throughout the process, escalating any concerns and promoting donor retention.
- Handling blood products, needles, and a range of equipment on a daily basis.
- Being part of a team that strives to continuously improve our donor service.
- Learning to prepare equipment for use to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose.
- Driving a 7.5 tonne van and 15-seater minibus as and when required (training and assessment will be provided).
The normal hours for this role are 6 days per fortnight. The earliest start time would be 08:00 with a finish time of 17:00, if on a late shift you would be 10:30 starting at finishing at 19:30. The working days are Monday, Friday and Sunday. Weekend and bank holiday working will be required. You can expect to work some long hours, but you won’t be working more than five days a week.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- 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
Qualifications And Training
- 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 full valid UK manual driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
About Us
At NHS Blood and Transplant, we’re incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.
It’s an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.
If you are shortlisted for this role, you will need to attend in person for a blood collection session tour so we can provide you with a more in-depth understanding of this role. This will be followed by a face-to-face interview. We regret that 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.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 3rd June 2025. Interviews are anticipated to be held week commencing 16 June 2025 subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Name: Kakale Sebogiso, Clinical Donor Centre Manager on kakale.sebogiso@nhsbt.nhs.uk
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.
Health Care Assistant/Donor Carer-Blood Donation employer: NHS Blood and Transplant
Contact Detail:
NHS Blood and Transplant Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health Care Assistant/Donor Carer-Blood Donation
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the NHS Blood and Transplant's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to exceptional care will help you align your responses during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in customer service and how it relates to dealing with donors. Think of specific examples where you've provided excellent service, as this will show your ability to create a welcoming environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your willingness to learn new skills, especially regarding the technical aspects of the job. Highlight any previous training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
Since the role involves driving, ensure you have your driving licence details ready and be prepared to discuss your driving experience. This will reassure the interviewers of your capability to handle the responsibilities associated with the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Health Care Assistant/Donor Carer-Blood Donation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Health Care Assistant/Donor Carer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific duties.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous experience you have in customer service or working with the public. Mention specific examples where you provided exceptional care or support, as this is crucial for the role.
Show Willingness to Learn: Express your eagerness to learn new skills and undergo training, particularly regarding the Skills for Health Care Certificate. This shows that you are committed to personal development and improving your capabilities.
Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, be ready to attend an in-person blood collection session tour and a face-to-face interview. Research common interview questions for healthcare roles and prepare thoughtful responses that reflect your understanding of the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at NHS Blood and Transplant
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Health Care Assistant, you'll be dealing with the public regularly. Make sure to highlight your experience in customer service and how you create a welcoming environment for others.
✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
The role involves training in various skills, including handling medical equipment. Be prepared to discuss your eagerness to learn new technologies and undergo necessary training.
✨Understand the Importance of the Role
Familiarise yourself with the impact of blood donation on saving lives. Showing that you understand the significance of the work will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Since the job may involve driving a 7.5 tonne van or minibus, ensure you have your driving licence details ready. Be ready to discuss your driving experience and any relevant qualifications.
