Job Description

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) plays 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

• 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
• Shared responsibility for operationally managing all aspects of the service provided by the Organ Donation Services team within the geographical area.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, 365 days per year on call rota and maintain clinical credibility by being up to date in all aspects of organ donation.

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.
Details
Date posted
22 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
56,514 to 63,623 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
007688
Job locations
NHSBT - Greenmeadows Springs Business Park
Columbus House
2 Village Way
Cardiff
CF15 7NE
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 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.
• NHS 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: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions ?
• 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.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking 'Apply' if you are viewing this advert on another site'. Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 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.
• NHS 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: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions ?
• 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.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking 'Apply' if you are viewing this advert on another site'.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (which must be maintained) as Registered Nurse Adult or Paediatric Nurse
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in allied health or related field OR job related experience equivalent to degree level knowledge.
• Demonstrable post graduate equivalent level specialist experience in leadership and management
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)
• Possession of a full and valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 points

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of proven leadership and management experience in an acute hospital setting relevant to donation such as ICU, theatres or an emergency medicine department
• Recent experience of working within the Organ Donation Service as a SN-OD
• Awareness of current professional issues and developments within co-ordination, nursing and the NHS
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own clinical practice
• Experience of implementing effective change within teams / across an organisation
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), or equivalent Systems

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (which must be maintained) as Registered Nurse Adult or Paediatric Nurse
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in allied health or related field OR job related experience equivalent to degree level knowledge.
• Demonstrable post graduate equivalent level specialist experience in leadership and management
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)
• Possession of a full and valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 points

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of proven leadership and management experience in an acute hospital setting relevant to donation such as ICU, theatres or an emergency medicine department
• Recent experience of working within the Organ Donation Service as a SN-OD
• Awareness of current professional issues and developments within co-ordination, nursing and the NHS
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own clinical practice
• Experience of implementing effective change within teams / across an organisation
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), or equivalent Systems

Skills Required