Senior Healthcare Technical Officer (SHTO) Full Time NEW

Job Summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Specialist Services Histocompatibility and Immunogenetic (H&I) provide a range of diagnostic and reference services to meet the needs of patients and those who treat them.

The H&I department in Colindale provides testing and support services for stem cell and solid organ transplantation and also undertakes immunogenetic diagnostic testing.

Working in this laboratory, you will provide vital support to scientific staff in a role that includes sample reception, reagent preparation and assisting with laboratory testing. You may also be relied on to update donor and patient information and to generate computerised reports or worksheets should the need arise.

In addition, the person appointed will support all other activities of the laboratory including, sample reception, the preparation of reagents and DNA isolation.

Main duties of the job

• You will be required to perform a range of scientific and technical activities related to blood (and, where appropriate, tissue) samples from patients and donors, with the support of the team
• You will assist with the support and training of new and less experienced staff
• You will be required to undertake precise repetitive manipulation of equipment and samples and to carry out routine tasks on a regular basis
• You will be required to handle samples and to use a range of equipment
• The role will require you to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice
• Daily manual handling of equipment weighing up to 13 kgs will be required, with or without mechanical aids, with appropriate training

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of supervising others
• Experience of working with Information Technology such as Microsoft Office

Qualifications And Training

• Level 4 qualification e.g. BTEC or HNC in a relevant science subject, NHSBT Foundation Degree OR equivalent knowledge and experience of working in a laboratory, manufacturing or other environment requiring intermediate level theoretical knowledge acquired through formal training
• Evidence of furthering personal development
• Willingness to undertake further training and development

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:
• 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 Wednesday 20 May 2026.

This vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early.

The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview. Face to face interviews are anticipated to be held at Colindale Blood Centre on either Thursday 4/Friday 5 June 2026 subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact Aliyye Karasu, Senior Clinical Scientist Laboratory Operations Manager, via email at