Senior Retrieval Assistant

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Joining NHS Blood and Transplant as a Senior Retrieval Assistant means you’ll play a critical role in transforming lives by supporting tissue donation processes. With a strong focus on training and development, you will gain hands-on experience in tissue retrieval, ensuring a direct impact on donor families and tissue recipients.

Benefits

Extensive Learning and Development Opportunities

Defined career pathways in scientific and leadership roles

27 days annual leave plus 8 bank/public holidays

NHS Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Educated to HND level in Health Care Science or relevant science field.
• Possess NVQ level 3 award in Health Care or Science with experience in blood/tissue banking.
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Assist the Retrieval Team in tissue retrieval process from deceased donors.
• Support tissue retrievals in various settings such as hospitals and hospices.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained and assist with service development.

Skills

Competence in PC and mainframe computer packages

Word processing

Spreadsheet experience

Data management experience

Education

HND in Health Care Science or relevant science field

NVQ level 3 award in Health Care or Science

Job description

Job summary

£27,485 - £30,162 per annum (in accordance with 25/26 pay scales. Anticipated to be effective as from August 2025)

At NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) we work with more than just blood and solid organs. Our donors also donate multiple types of tissue and its within our Tissue and Eye Services team that you could play your role in significantly transforming hundreds of lives each year.

As a Senior Retrieval Assistant you would be responsible for supporting the work of the Retrieval team, performing a range of routine tasks which relate to the donation, transport, and follow-up of deceased and live tissue donors.

You will be involved in retrieving multiple types of tissues including skin, eye, bone, heart and tendons from newly deceased donors, so its essential that you are comfortable with this aspect of the job. We understand that this is a unique role, and we dont expect you to be fully trained initially. Hence, we offer a comprehensive training program, detailed below. However, you do need to have either a Higher National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in healthcare or Science or relevant science field.

If you are interested in this unique and rewarding career where you will have a direct and positive impact on the tissue recipients and donor families lives, this is the role for you!

In order to obtain a fascinating insight into the role, applicants are advised to watch The Human Tissue Squad this can be found online here https://vimeo.com/132804485.

Main duties of the job

You will work flexibly across the range of activities as rostered and will additionally assist in developing the service in anticipation of future clinical needs. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assist the Retrieval Team in the tissue donation process, performing tissue retrievals from deceased donors in various settings such as hospitals, Hospices and funeral homes.
• Retrieve tissues (eye, bones, tendons, skin, heart) from deceased donors, assisting in their reconstruction under the supervision of a senior team member.
• Support and assist with the maintenance of the Surgical Tissue Donation programmes.
• Be a proactive member of the Tissue and Eye Services team.
• Integral to the provision of a 7 days a week tissue retrieval service.
• Ensure efficient working and productivity maintaining accurate records.
• This role requires the ability to drive a manual vehicle. You will be required to travel extensively, including overnight stays, spend time away from base when required (with appropriate prior notice).
• The retrieval teams operate from 08:00 to 20:00, 7 days a week, with a 7.5-hour working day. Shifts typically run from 08:00-16:00, 10:00-18:00, or 12:00-20:00 on a rotational basis, including weekends. Flexibility in working patterns is essential, as retrievers work 5 out of 7 days.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll 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.

Details Date posted

10 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

006663

Job locations

NHSBT

Liverpool Centre, 14 Estuary Banks, The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

United Kingdom

L24 8RB

Job description Job responsibilities

At NHSBT, we prioritize your personal development and take training seriously. To give you a better understanding of what to expect in this role, heres an overview of what your initial training program will cover:

Training Programme Overview (6 months):

• Eye and Tissue Retrieval: Includes bone, skin, heart valves, tendons, and arteries.
• Vehicle Familiarisation: Training in driving NHSBT liveried vehicles, including a driving assessment. Our vehicles are manual.
• Mortuary Work: Acclimation to working in mortuary settings and with deceased patients.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding Human Tissue Authority regulations, consent requirements, and the Human Tissue Act.
• Tissue Retrieval: Training in dissection and tissue removal, with basic anatomy instruction.
• Clinical Pathway Insight: Overview of the process from referral and consent to tissue preparation for transplantation.
• Virology Testing: Basic understanding of virology testing on deceased donors.
• Support Functions: Training in stock ordering, retrieval kit preparation, and other support areas.
• Competency Assessments: Completion of competency assessments in eye and tissue retrieval around the 6-month mark.

Throughout the training programme, supervision is provided during retrieval activities. Only after demonstrating competence will, you conduct retrievals independently. For multi-tissue retrievals, a minimum of two NHSBT team members are always present, along with third-party professionals, such as healthcare staff and mortuary technicians, who provide site supervision at non-NHSBT locations.

What we offer you:

• Extensive Learning and Development Opportunities refer to the detailed training program outlined above.
• Career pathway There are defined career pathways covering both scientific and leadership/management routes. Within Tissue and Eye Services it is possible to progress through Senior Retrieval Assistant, Retrieval Team Leader, Retrieval Supervisor and Retrieval Team Manager roles depending on experience, qualifications gained and the vacancies arising. There are also opportunities to learn about other areas of NHSBT via a day in the life sessions for staff wanting to work across departments and directorates.
• Leave: 27 days per year plus 8 bank/public holidaysPro rata if part-time. Leave increases to 29 days after 5 years service and 33 days after 10 years service.
• Pension: 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.

Job description Job responsibilities

At NHSBT, we prioritize your personal development and take training seriously. To give you a better understanding of what to expect in this role, heres an overview of what your initial training program will cover:

Training Programme Overview (6 months):

• Eye and Tissue Retrieval: Includes bone, skin, heart valves, tendons, and arteries.
• Vehicle Familiarisation: Training in driving NHSBT liveried vehicles, including a driving assessment. Our vehicles are manual.
• Mortuary Work: Acclimation to working in mortuary settings and with deceased patients.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding Human Tissue Authority regulations, consent requirements, and the Human Tissue Act.
• Tissue Retrieval: Training in dissection and tissue removal, with basic anatomy instruction.
• Clinical Pathway Insight: Overview of the process from referral and consent to tissue preparation for transplantation.
• Virology Testing: Basic understanding of virology testing on deceased donors.
• Support Functions: Training in stock ordering, retrieval kit preparation, and other support areas.
• Competency Assessments: Completion of competency assessments in eye and tissue retrieval around the 6-month mark.

Throughout the training programme, supervision is provided during retrieval activities. Only after demonstrating competence will, you conduct retrievals independently. For multi-tissue retrievals, a minimum of two NHSBT team members are always present, along with third-party professionals, such as healthcare staff and mortuary technicians, who provide site supervision at non-NHSBT locations.

What we offer you:

• Extensive Learning and Development Opportunities refer to the detailed training program outlined above.
• Career pathway There are defined career pathways covering both scientific and leadership/management routes. Within Tissue and Eye Services it is possible to progress through Senior Retrieval Assistant, Retrieval Team Leader, Retrieval Supervisor and Retrieval Team Manager roles depending on experience, qualifications gained and the vacancies arising. There are also opportunities to learn about other areas of NHSBT via a day in the life sessions for staff wanting to work across departments and directorates.
• Leave: 27 days per year plus 8 bank/public holidaysPro rata if part-time. Leave increases to 29 days after 5 years service and 33 days after 10 years service.
• Pension: 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.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to HND level or equivalent either by:
• Possession of HND in Health Care Science or relevant science field
• Possession of NVQ level 3 award in Health Care or Science and equivalent experience working in a blood / tissue banking field
• Equivalent knowledge of science or health care work, acquired through formal training and experience.
• Possess a valid driving licence, allowing you to drive in the UK
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Experience Essential

• Competence in the use of a PC and mainframe computer packages.
• Word processing, spreadsheet and data management experience.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to HND level or equivalent either by:
• Possession of HND in Health Care Science or relevant science field
• Possession of NVQ level 3 award in Health Care or Science and equivalent experience working in a blood / tissue banking field
• Equivalent knowledge of science or health care work, acquired through formal training and experience.
• Possess a valid driving licence, allowing you to drive in the UK
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Experience Essential

• Competence in the use of a PC and mainframe computer packages.
• Word processing, spreadsheet and data management experience.

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.

Employer details Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Liverpool Centre, 14 Estuary Banks, The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

United Kingdom

L24 8RB

Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT

Liverpool Centre, 14 Estuary Banks, The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

United Kingdom

L24 8RB

Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)