Job Summary
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) play a vital role in saving and improving lives through the delivery of organ and tissue donation and transplantation services across the UK. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Nurse in Organ Donation to provide expert clinical leadership and operational support to our regional donation teams.
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for leading and supporting Specialist Nurses in Organ Donation (SNODs), ensuring high standards of clinical practice, governance, and professional development. You will work collaboratively with hospital teams, stakeholders, and donor families to maximise donation opportunities and uphold the highest standards of care and compassion.
The successful candidate will demonstrate significant experience in critical care or transplantation, strong leadership and communication skills, and a commitment to delivering excellence in end-of-life care and organ donation.
This unique role provides you with opportunities to develop yourself, both as part of a regional team and as an individual autonomous practitioner. This essential role will impact on all stages of the donation process and ultimately in the number of life-saving transplants and as such is a rewarding and satisfying role.
Main duties of the job
1. Monitoring and managing the delivery of Key Performance Indicators to ensure the number of actual organs and tissues within the geographical donation area is maximised
2. Shared responsibility for operationally managing all aspects of the service provided by the Organ Donation Services team within the geographical area.
3. Direct management of a team of staff. Overall duties and responsibilities will be allocated on a rotational basis within the service management team; most notably, management of the full Area budget and responsibility for overall management of a 24 hour on-call service.
4. Providing input and challenge to hospital development planning and lead corrective action where necessary; ensuring national strategy is implemented and evaluated within the geographical area.
5. Operational management of those staff within the team that fall within delegated area of responsibility.
You will be required to participate in a 24 hour, days per year on call rota and maintain clinical credibility by being up to date in all aspects of organ donation.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
6. Evidence of proven leadership and management experience in an acute hospital setting relevant to donation such as ICU, theatres or an emergency medicine department
7. Experience of working within the Organ Donation Service as a DTC within the last 5 years.
8. Awareness of current professional issues and developments within co-ordination, nursing and the NHS.
9. Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own clinical practice.
10. Experience of implementing effective change within teams / across an organisation.
Qualifications and Training
11. Registered Nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (which must be maintained) as Registered Nurse – Adult or Paediatric Nurse
12. Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in allied health or related field OR job-related experience equivalent to degree level knowledge.
13. Demonstrable post graduate equivalent level specialist experience in leadership and management.
14. Ability to travel independently across the UK to various locations. You will be provided with notice to allow for your journey planning.
15. Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).