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
As a Higher Healthcare Technical Officer (HHTO) in Processing at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), you will play a key role in the safe and timely processing of blood donations that help save and improve lives.
Working within our manufacturing teams, you will carry out a range of routine and non-routine laboratory tasks, ensuring products meet strict quality and safety standards.
You will use your judgement and attention to detail to identify and resolve issues, escalating concerns when needed to protect donors, patients, and colleagues.
As a more experienced team member, you will also support and guide others, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice. This is a hands-on, practical role where your contribution directly supports the delivery of life-saving healthcare services.
There are two working patterns on offer:
Full-time, 5 nights, 37.5 hours per week, Wednesday to Sunday:
Wednesday 23:59 to Thursday 07:59
Thursday 23:59 to Friday 07:59
Friday 23:59 to Saturday 07:59
Saturday 23:59 to Sunday 07:59
Sunday 23:59 to Monday 07:59
Part-time, 2 nights, 15 hours per week, Thursday and Friday.
Thursday 23:59 to Friday 07:59
Friday 23:59 to Saturday 07:59
Main duties of the job:
• Safely process blood donations in line with standard operating procedures and quality requirements.
• Carry out routine and non-routine laboratory tasks with accuracy and care.
• Identify defects, errors, or unusual incidents and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Maintain clear and accurate records to required standards.
• Work collaboratively as part of a manufacturing team.
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to less experienced colleagues.
• Support continuous improvement of processes and equipment.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
• Experience of working as part of a team in an operational or technical environment.
• Experience of using computers and basic IT systems.
• Experience of working in a pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or laboratory environment.
• Experience of operating within a regulated environment.
Qualifications and Training. At least one of the following:
• A level or NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualifications
• Extensive experience working in a logistics/supply chain environment.
• Equivalent extensive experience of routine NHSBT procedures and understanding of non-routine procedures.
About Us
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:
- Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 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.
- Inclusive 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: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - 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.
- Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endevour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Friday 22 May 2026.
The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview which will be in person. Interviews are anticipated to be held on the 3rd and 4th of June 2026 between 23:59-07:59 (Thursday and Friday morning), subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Rachel Greaves, Production Team Manager at rachel.greaves@nhsbt.nhs.uk.
