Lead Nurse - Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS)

Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) provide vital services to the NHS, improving patient outcomes and saving lives. We have a fantastic opportunity for you to become part of our essential and cutting-edge work by joining our Therapeutic Apheresis Services team (TAS).

TAS provide lifesaving and life enhancing treatments to adults and children across a range of clinical specialities using technology that exchanges, removes or collects certain components of the blood.

Our TAS Units currently provide these specialist patient treatments from eight units based within NHS Trusts across England. This post is for our TAS unit in Middlesborough, based at The James Cook University Hospital.

As the Lead Nurse you will manage and be the clinical leader within a defined area for the provision of safe TAS.

No prior knowledge of therapeutic apheresis is required because in-house full training will be given. However, success in this role will depend on excellent communication skills to develop and build relationships, integrating your team within a new structure.

Your unit will provide a routine Monday to Saturday apheresis service, in addition, an on-call rota will provide 24/7 emergency cover. You will be supported by a Local Medical Consultant, a Senior Management Team and other units across England who work closely to support each other.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of nurses to save and improves lives of our patients and donors.

Main duties of the job

The Lead Nurse is responsible for ensuring the delivery of Therapeutic Apheresis services for NHS patients and facilitating the collection of special donations within Donor Services within a designated region. Your responsibilities include:

• Establishing and maintaining effective written and verbal communication links liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including manufacturer personnel.
• Being responsible for the clinical standards of the nursing team within the area ensuring best practice and clinical effectiveness are achieved within policy frameworks.
• Being a clinical leader within a defined area for the provision of the safe and effective Therapeutic Apheresis service.
• Being responsible for all aspects of nursing and clinical care of patients within the defined area, ensuring a safe environment.
• Being the clinical expert and a source of clinical knowledge and expertise for advice and direction within a defined area.
• Line managing a team of registered nurses in a defined area including liaising with area Lead Nurses for integral skill mix provision.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.

About us

At NHS Blood and Transplant, were incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.

It's an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality.

Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

Please also view the benefits information sheet which details the benefits of working for NHSBT and the hours of work, salary, leave entitlement etc. for this role. 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration; RN1 Adult Nurse level 1, RNA Adult Nurse level 1, and /or RN8 Childrens Nurse level 1 or RNC Childrens Nurse level 1 (which must be maintained).
• Masters or equivalent relevant experience gained working at senior nurse level.
• Teaching/asessing qualification, e.g. ENB 998 or Mentorship in Practice or NVQ A1/A2.
• Leadership and/or management training or experience equivalent to degree/Diploma level
• Evidence of recent post registration/educational learning
• Possess a valid driving licence and access to a car, allowing you to drive in the UK and use of own vehicle (or lease car if applicable)
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of clinical effectiveness and best practice, and of initiating changes to service practices to ensure high standards of clinical care.
• Demonstratable experience of planning, implementing, and evaluating changes in clinical practice at strategic level.
• Experience of initiating and supporting the professional development of other staff, whilst supporting own development.
• Experience of planning and delivering teaching programmes within a clinical environment.
• Demonstratable understanding of the principles of clinical audit and research.
• Leadership and management experience.
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).