At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive vehicles to collect and deliver blood products and equipment across the UK.
- Company: Join NHS Blood and Transplant, a team dedicated to saving lives through blood donation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, NHS pension scheme, and flexible working opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence with 6 points or less; C1 licence is a plus.
- Other info: 24/7 shift work required, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
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.
As a vital member of our team operating a 24/7 service you will be providing a safe and professional service, collecting and delivering blood products, equipment and staff to hospitals, blood centres and blood collection sites throughout the country. This could include emergency 'blue light' deliveries.
You should also be able to work to tight deadlines and have experience of dealing professionally with members of the public. You will be required to work evenings, weekends, nights and bank holidays on a 24/7 roster. A uniform will be provided, and you will be given an induction, training and development opportunities.
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.
Main duties of the job ResponsibilitiesIn this role you will be responsible for driving our vehicles for the collection, transportation and delivery of blood and related products and equipment, including security, daily checks and maintenance of the vehicles in your care. Your responsibilities will include:
- Driving a variety of vehicles up to and including a 7.5 tonne, except in South London (Tooting), Basildon, Lancaster and Southampton where you will be required to drive light goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonne.
- Operating digital hand held devices and complete electronic and paper based records.
- Loading, unloading, assembling and dismantling equipment on a regular basis including heavy objects of up to 20 kgs with and without lifting aids.
- Undertaking, on occasions, emergency 'Blue Light' deliveries, for which training will be provided.
- Using your customer care skills to ensure that our colleagues, donors, hospital staff and members of the public have a positive experience of our organisation.
The role will require you to work a 24 hour, 7 days per week shift system which will include variable hours and days, evening and night shifts, weekends and bank holidays on a rostered basis.
About You Experience and Knowledge- Previous vocational driving experience or evidence of driving proficiency.
- Able to work with information technology such as digital hand held devices, Microsoft Office or other IT packages.
- A good geographical knowledge of the local area and road network.
- Knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance checks.
- Possession of a valid driving licence allowing you to drive in the UK with 6 points or less on your licence which will be subject to DVLA check is essential.
- C1 driving licence would be desirable. B licence is essential for this role.
- Able to meet NHSBT minimum standards of driving skills which will be assessed at interview stage.
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).
- 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.
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.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 9 June 2025. Interviews are anticipated to be held on wc 23 June 2025 subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Name: Dave Eborn, Job Title: Senior Transport Manager Contact Details: david.eborn@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Transport Driver employer: NHS Blood and Transplant
Contact Detail:
NHS Blood and Transplant Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Driver
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local area and road networks. Having a good geographical knowledge will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your customer care skills. Since you'll be interacting with various stakeholders, showcasing your ability to provide a positive experience can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the driving skills assessment by practising your driving proficiency. Make sure you're comfortable with both manual and automatic vehicles, as well as any specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your flexibility regarding shift patterns. Since this role requires working evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, showing your willingness to adapt can make a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Driver
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Transport Driver position. Familiarise yourself with the job description, especially the need for driving proficiency and customer care skills.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience, particularly any vocational driving experience and your ability to work with digital devices. Emphasise your geographical knowledge and any previous roles that required customer interaction.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the NHS's mission. Mention specific examples of how your skills align with the job requirements, such as handling emergency deliveries or maintaining vehicles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is accurate and complete. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at NHS Blood and Transplant
✨Know Your Driving Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous driving experience in detail. Highlight any vocational driving roles you've held and be ready to provide examples of how you've handled various driving situations, especially under pressure.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Role
Understand the specific responsibilities of a Transport Driver at NHS Blood and Transplant. Be ready to talk about the importance of delivering blood products safely and how you would handle emergency 'blue light' deliveries.
✨Demonstrate Customer Care Skills
Since this role involves interacting with the public and hospital staff, think of examples where you've provided excellent customer service. Show that you can maintain professionalism and empathy in all situations.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about vehicle maintenance and the use of digital devices. Brush up on basic vehicle checks and be ready to explain how you would keep accurate records using technology.