NHS Blood and Transplant

Head of Patient Safety

The closing date is 07 April 2026

Job summary

We are recruiting for 2 vacancies:

1 Full time Permanent

1 Full time Fixed Term role for 18 months.

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) is a unique organisation that carries our work to save and improves lives every single day. Our work is not just blood, and a key part of our organisation is Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT).

We are looking for a Head of Patient Safety within the OTDT Directorate, this is a key leadership role within the OTDT; the emphasis is on delivering safe effective patient care whilst providing excellent acre to families and significant others. A keen focus on continuous improvement in donation, retrieval and transplantation is a key priority for the service and directorate.

Well look to you to bring leadership and focus through identification, innovative and problem-solving approaches to patient safety ensuring that all opportunities to bring improvement are realised, learning optimised and evidenced, and that we maintain our excellent collaborative relationships with our partners in the wider NHS. You will build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and, by providing passionate, and enthusiastic leadership, you will contribute to the excellence within the nursing teams.

Main duties of the job

The principal objective is to lead, direct and promote systemic improvements in Patient Safety and Healthcare throughout the OTDT Directorate and to support the Chief Nurse in leading patient safety initiatives directorate and system wide. Key accountabilities:

  • Support the nursing and medical teams internal and external to OTDT in the leadership, development and implementation of Patient Safety processes across the Directorate which impact across the UK.
  • Lead and direct the development and achievement of objectives and strategic goals for OTDT considering NHSBT and their wider impact and influence.
  • Manage and provide leadership for the Patient Safety team within OTDT.
  • Act as a clinical advisor for PSIRF, Safety strategies across OTDT.
  • Develop, influence and support OTDT staff to prevent detect and mitigate risks that threaten the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.
  • Analyse incident data for trends, escalating concerns with proposed recommendations at the earliest opportunity to the Chief Nurse.
  • Share the learning from incidents and their management with those involved in organ donation and transplantation within OTDT and with external stakeholders to support patient safety through influenced changes to practice or process.
  • Provide expert clinical advice on matters arising within the remit of Clinical Governance and Patient Safety within OTDT, NHSBT and the wider NHS.

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

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

008553

Job locations

NHSBT - Filton

500 North Bristol Park

Northway

Filton, Bristol

BS34 7QH


NHSBT - Birmingham

Vincent Drive

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 2SG


NHSBT - Newcastle

Holland Drive off Barrack Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 4NQ


NHSBT - Tooting

75 Cranmer Terrace

Tooting

London

SW17 0RB


NHSBT - Colindale

Charcot Road

Colindale

London

NW9 5BG


NHSBT - Barnsley

Unit D, Capitol Way

Dodworth, Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S75 3FG


NHSBT - Southampton

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHSBT - Manchester

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHSBT - Liverpool Speke

14 Estuary Banks

The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

L24 8RB


NHSBT - Plymouth

Ground and First Floor, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


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
  • Weve 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. Its 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
  • Weve 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. Its 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

  • RGN/RN on part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Register.
  • Educated to masters level as demonstrated either by academic qualification or supported by extensive senior management and leadership experience at a senior level.
  • Demonstrable specialist knowledge in organ donation.
  • Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD).
  • Willingness and ability to undertake travel and spend time away from base to meet the requirements of the post (with appropriate prior notice).
  • Maintain NMC registration (or other agreed professional registration)
  • Possess a valid driving licence allowing the holder to drive in the UK.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in working within organ donation and/or organ transplantation to develop a thorough understanding of relevant issues.
  • Highly developed specialised knowledge and skills within the area of leadership and patient safety acquired through extensive relevant experience.
  • Awareness of current professional issues and developments within organ donation, nursing and the NHS.
  • Ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own and others clinical practice.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RGN/RN on part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Register.
  • Educated to masters level as demonstrated either by academic qualification or supported by extensive senior management and leadership experience at a senior level.
  • Demonstrable specialist knowledge in organ donation.
  • Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD).
  • Willingness and ability to undertake travel and spend time away from base to meet the requirements of the post (with appropriate prior notice).
  • Maintain NMC registration (or other agreed professional registration)
  • Possess a valid driving licence allowing the holder to drive in the UK.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in working within organ donation and/or organ transplantation to develop a thorough understanding of relevant issues.
  • Highly developed specialised knowledge and skills within the area of leadership and patient safety acquired through extensive relevant experience.
  • Awareness of current professional issues and developments within organ donation, nursing and the NHS.
  • Ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own and others clinical practice.

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT - Filton

500 North Bristol Park

Northway

Filton, Bristol

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

NHSBT - Filton

500 North Bristol Park

Northway

Filton, Bristol

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Charlotte Walker

Charlotte.Walker@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

008553

Job locations

NHSBT - Filton

500 North Bristol Park

Northway

Filton, Bristol

BS34 7QH


NHSBT - Birmingham

Vincent Drive

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 2SG


NHSBT - Newcastle

Holland Drive off Barrack Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 4NQ


NHSBT - Tooting

75 Cranmer Terrace

Tooting

London

SW17 0RB


NHSBT - Colindale

Charcot Road

Colindale

London

NW9 5BG


NHSBT - Barnsley

Unit D, Capitol Way

Dodworth, Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S75 3FG


NHSBT - Southampton

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHSBT - Manchester

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHSBT - Liverpool Speke

14 Estuary Banks

The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

L24 8RB


NHSBT - Plymouth

Ground and First Floor, Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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