Manufacturing and testing

Take part in a life-saving process.

We receive a lot of blood donations across NHSBT, and our manufacturing, testing and hospital services teams test and process all of it.

By joining us in one of these roles, you’ll be part of getting these blood components to hospital services across the country, and making a difference to those who need them most – 365 days a year.

Roles in manufacturing and testing

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing team separates the blood we receive into useful blood components, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

They also use it to create more specialist components, such as cryoprecipitate, irradiated components, washed components, granulocytes and neonatal components.

Testing

Before donated blood can be given to someone who needs it, we carry out several tests to make sure it’s safe to use.

Our testing teams use samples of blood taken from donation sessions to identify the donor’s blood group and check for any blood conditions or infections that they might not be aware of.

Hospital services

Once the blood has been manufactured and tested, our hospital services teams prepare it to be sent to hospitals.

This includes making sure all our blood products are correctly labelled and packaged according to the conditions the component needs.

"After needing transfusions myself in the past, I really wanted to give something back. It’s amazing knowing what I’m doing every day is helping people."
Katie, Healthcare Technical Officer

Play a vital role in the journey of blood donation

A lot needs to happen between a blood donation session and that blood being delivered to the patients who need it. As part of our manufacturing team, you’ll play a crucial part in that process, turning the donations we receive into life-saving products.

We’re a world-class operation, managing units of donated blood with precision and care to make sure our hospitals and patients get what they need at the right time.

A member of staff in a manufacturing lab, handling a plasma bag
A member of staff in a manufacturing lab, using machinery

Develop your career in manufacturing

There’s always more to learn and more opportunity to grow your skills with us, whether that’s by building your technical knowledge or developing as a leader.

We offer a range of learning and development resources and the opportunity to become an expert in your field.

Manufacturing and testing vacancies

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