Job Description

31,049 - 37,796 per annum (in accordance with 25/26 pay scales anticipated to be effective as from August 2025 + HCAS where applicable )
The National Health Service Blood and Transplant Tissue and Eye Services are an integral part of the NHS. Our tissue donation programme saves and radically improves thousands of lives every year.
This is a unique opportunity to join one of our retrieval teams with services capable of retrieving tissues such as eyes, skin, bone, tendons and hearts. With your help, well safely and efficiently collect and store tissues, comply with regulations, and make the most of these valuable gifts.
NHS Blood and Transplant offer a dynamic and friendly working environment where teamwork is highly valued. Personal development is also considered a priority and is supported through extensive training and development opportunities open to all employees.
Our retrieval teams cover a 7-day scheduled rota with a range of shifts covering between the hours of 08.00 21.00. If you are able to work within this, wed like to hear from you!
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will retrieve tissue from deceased donors, ensuring high safety and quality standards, and supporting surgical donation programmes to meet targets. Key duties include:

• Supporting the Living Tissue Donation Specialist in the operational activity of the surgical donation programmes.
• Communicate, within NHSBT and wider NHS, to provide and receive complex and/or sensitive information verbally, by telephone, fax, or face-to-face. Clear and accurate communication and feedback are essential. This can be in conflict to your other priorities.
• Training and mentoring new and less experienced colleagues.
• Supervising the work of a small team when undertaking tissue retrieval from deceased donors in house or out in hospitals/hospices/funeral homes etc.
• Liaise with a range of hospital staff including mortuary staff and hospital site managers to co-ordinate retrievals and access to suitable retrieval facilities. At weekends or at night this negotiation can be more complex.
• Ensuring efficient working and productivity whilst maintaining accurate reports of activities performed.
• Lifting and carrying items of up to 15kg, with and without the use of mechanical aids.
• Facilitating deceased tissue donations and visiting surgical donation programme sites within and outside of contracted working hours.

You must be available to travel, work irregular hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays), and participate in a shift rota as required, with advance notice.
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
11 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
31,049 to 37,796 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
006700
Job locations
NHSBT Colindale Centre
Charcot Road, Colindale
London
United Kingdom
NW9 5BG
Job description
Job responsibilities
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) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• Weve 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. Its 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 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
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) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• Weve 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. Its 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 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

• BSc in a biological discipline or equivalent qualification OR equivalent relevant experience
• Equivalent level of knowledge gained through formal training and work experience in tissue or blood banking
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)
• Possess a valid driving licence, allowing you to drive in the UK

Experience
Essential

• Recent clinical practice or laboratory experience
• Experience of handling deceased patients, human blood and tissue and understanding the need for dignity and respect
• Experience of working unsupervised or supervising the work of others in a regulated environment, meeting GMP standards
• Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality in a variety of settings and the need for accurate and methodical record keeping
• Understanding of Health and Safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc in a biological discipline or equivalent qualification OR equivalent relevant experience
• Equivalent level of knowledge gained through formal training and work experience in tissue or blood banking
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)
• Possess a valid driving licence, allowing you to drive in the UK

Experience
Essential

• Recent clinical practice or laboratory experience
• Experience of handling deceased patients, human blood and tissue and understanding the need for dignity and respect
• Experience of working unsupervised or supervising the work of others in a regulated environment, meeting GMP standards
• Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality in a variety of settings and the need for accurate and methodical record keeping
• Understanding of Health and Safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements

NHS