Bpl Plasma: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

BPL Plasma's parent company, Bio Products Laboratory (BPL), traces its roots to 1954 (with some sources citing 1950), when it was established as part of the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in Elstree, Hertfordshire, England. BPL built on earlier work at the Lister Institute dating to 1943, when Professor R.A. Kekwick and colleagues developed methods for freeze-drying plasma and separating proteins within it, work that had originally supported the needs of Armed Services and civilian establishments during wartime. BPL operated under UK government ownership for decades, continuing to develop plasma-derived therapies for conditions including immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and critical care needs.

In 2010, the UK's Department of Health consolidated several plasma-related operating divisions, including plasma collection groups in the United States, into one global commercial organization, which was renamed BPL Holdings Limited in 2013, with two operating divisions: BPL Therapeutics and BPL Plasma. That same year, the UK government partially privatized the BPL Group, selling a majority stake to Bain Capital. In 2016, an investor group controlled by Chinese investment firm Creat Group Corporation completed a full acquisition of BPL for approximately £820 million, investing an additional £100 million to expand production capacity. More recently, in 2022, Permira Funds and the Marcucci family (co-founders of Italian plasma company Kedrion) completed an investment combining BPL with Kedrion Biopharma, forming a larger global player in plasma-derived medicinal products.

BPL Plasma, the U.S. plasma collection division, operates numerous donation centers across the country, serving as one of the largest suppliers of U.S. source plasma to third-party manufacturers who use it to produce lifesaving therapies. BPL's broader Therapeutics operations maintain a U.S. headquarters in Durham, North Carolina, while the global parent company remains headquartered in Elstree, England. BPL Plasma's workforce includes phlebotomists and medical screeners who collect plasma donations, center managers, quality assurance staff, and customer service personnel supporting its donation center network.

Company culture and employee programs: As part of a larger plasma-derived therapeutics company, BPL Plasma centers emphasize donor safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance given the medical nature of plasma collection. The company has continued to invest in research and development to expand its portfolio of lifesaving plasma-derived products. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by center location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the plasma collection and healthcare industry, including BPL Plasma, are legally permitted and, for many roles, required to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, given regulatory requirements for medical collection facilities and access to donor health information. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

BPL Plasma is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for plasma collection centers, particularly for phlebotomist and medical screening roles involving direct contact with donors and handling of biological materials.

The hiring process for phlebotomist and center staff positions at BPL Plasma typically includes an application, an interview, verification of any required phlebotomy or medical certifications, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a plasma collection center role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though FDA regulatory requirements for plasma collection facilities and state laws may involve additional background review.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to a role involving direct contact with donors and handling of biological materials in a regulated medical setting. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what BPL Plasma may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to BPL Plasma or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.