At a Glance
- Tasks: Support donors through the donation process and ensure a positive experience.
- Company: Join NHS Blood and Transplant, making a real difference in communities across the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, 27 days leave, NHS pension, and comprehensive training provided.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a caring team that saves lives and builds meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: Good numeracy and literacy skills; customer service experience preferred.
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.
Job Summary
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.
The role involves working a variety of hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays but no night shifts! You will be working on a shift basis covering sessions within a Monday to Friday period. The shift pattern and start and finish times are variable. Each shift consists of 9.375 paid hours per day, with an additional 45-minute unpaid break. Full-time (1.0 WTE) hours are 37.5 per week worked over 4 days, and part-time (0.5 WTE) hours are 18.75 per week worked over 2 days. The day-to-day timings do change depending on where the venue is on any given day.
Are you a people person who loves making others feel comfortable and supported? If you're someone who naturally puts others at ease, enjoys chatting with people, and can handle questions and concerns with confidence, this could be the perfect role for you!
Main duties of the job
You don't need a healthcare background; experience in retail, hospitality, customer service, or even volunteering is just as valuable. If you've worked in a team and know what it means to go the extra mile for someone, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your positive attitude and enthusiasm for delivering a great experience, and we'll provide all the training you need.
In this role, you'll learn practical healthcare skills and take a step into the NHS. You'll be the friendly face that greets our donors, supports them through the donation process, and makes sure they leave feeling good about their experience. From checking them in on our systems to ensuring they're comfortable during and after their donation, your focus will be on delivering excellent care every step of the way. You'll also keep accurate records, handle blood products safely, and ensure everything is set up for a smooth session. Plus, you'll get the opportunity to drive our equipment lorry (don't worry, we'll give you full training for that!). It's a hands-on, active role with some lifting and moving, so you'll need to be comfortable working on your feet and as part of a supportive, close-knit team.
If you're ready to build a meaningful career, gain valuable skills, and make a real difference, we can't wait to welcome you on board!
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
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).
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 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.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 01st March 2026. Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should we receive sufficient applications. Interviews are anticipated to be held on 12th March 2026 – subject to confirmation.
Person Specification
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.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Donor Carer in Horsham employer: Sussexcommunity
Contact Detail:
Sussexcommunity Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Donor Carer in Horsham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research NHS Blood and Transplant, their values, and what they stand for. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! Since the role is all about making donors feel comfortable, think of examples from your past experiences where you've gone the extra mile for someone. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible with your availability! The job involves working various hours, so highlight your willingness to adapt to different shifts. This shows you're committed and ready to jump in whenever needed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about the role and the team you'll be joining.
We think you need these skills to ace Donor Carer in Horsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your People Skills: Since this role is all about making donors feel comfortable, make sure to highlight your experience in customer service or any role where you've interacted with people. We want to see how you can bring that positive energy to our team!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read through the job description and person specification carefully. We love it when applicants tailor their applications to show how they meet our specific needs. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Donor Carer role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussexcommunity
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand the Donor Carer role thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your previous experiences in customer service or hospitality can relate to the responsibilities you'll have. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Donor Carer, you'll be interacting with donors regularly. Prepare examples of how you've made others feel comfortable in past roles. Think about specific situations where you went the extra mile for someone, as this aligns perfectly with the caring nature of the NHS Blood and Transplant team.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-life scenarios. For instance, they might ask how you'd manage a nervous donor or what steps you'd take to ensure a smooth donation process. Practising these types of questions can help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
The role involves training and learning new skills, so highlight your eagerness to develop. Mention any relevant training you've undertaken in the past and express your enthusiasm for the 6-week training period offered. This shows that you're committed to growing within the role and contributing positively to the team.