Healthcare Assistant/Donor Carer

NHS Blood and Transplant; Exeter; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking organization that plays a crucial role in saving lives. As a Healthcare Assistant in Blood Donation, you'll engage with the public, learn vital healthcare skills, and provide exceptional care to donors. This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, where no two days are the same. You'll receive comprehensive training and support to excel in your career, all while enjoying a flexible work schedule and generous leave entitlements. If you're passionate about making a difference and eager to grow professionally, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

6-week training period

Flexible working opportunities

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS pension scheme

Payments for unsociable hours and overtime

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service and public interaction is essential.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Learn hands-on healthcare skills and assist in blood donation sessions.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure safe handling of blood products.

Skills

Customer Service

Public Interaction

Numeracy

Literacy

Willingness to Learn

Education

Skills for Health Care Certificate

Tools

Digital Technology Skills

Driving Licence

Job description

This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work.

Job Summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) 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 volunteer donors, ensuring they receive exceptional, first-class care.

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 don’t collect blood in hospitals, we work within our Donor Centres and out in the community.

Main Duties of the Job

You will learn hands-on skills in healthcare and take your first steps into a professional career within the NHS. You’ll be fully trained in how to set up for a session, how to take blood from our donors, and you’ll be their first point of care during their time with us.

You’ll also make sure we keep accurate records of donor sessions, while managing the safe handling of blood and blood products, needles, and other medical equipment. You will also ensure we offer a great service to our donors, so they want to come back time and time again!

As part of a true multi-disciplinary team, you’ll work variable hours and days including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays – all without the night shifts. You’ll also be working alongside medical professionals, which means you’ll discover more autonomy and responsibility than equivalent roles elsewhere in the NHS.

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 valid full UK Driving Licence with no more than 6 penalty points.

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.
• 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.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 14^th February 2025.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on 3rd March 2025 – subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact – Name: Michaela Clarke, Job Title: Senior Sister / Senior Charge Nurse, Contact Details: [e-mail].