Senior Retrieval Assistant

Description:

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 it’s essential that you are comfortable with this aspect of the job. We understand that this is a unique role, and we don’t 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 .

Main duties of the job Responsibilities 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 21:00, 7 days a week, with a 7.5-hour working day. Shifts typically run from 08:00-16:00, 10:00-18:00, or 13:00-21:00 on a rotational basis, including weekends. Flexibility in working patterns is essential, as retrievers work 5 out of 7 days.

Training Programme Overview (6 Months) At NHSBT, we prioritize your personal development and take training seriously. To give you a better understanding of what to expect in this role, here’s an overview of what your initial training program will cover:
 

• 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.

About You Experience and Knowledge

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

Qualifications And Training

• 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 full (manual) UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
  • Evidence of continuous professional development