Job summary
- Main area
- Renal and Transplantation
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- chance of becoming permanent based on service needs
- Hours
- 37.5 hours per week (Full time - 37.5 hours per week. To also participate in a 1 in 6 on call rota for receipt and coordination of kidney offers.)
- Job ref
- 216-PL-DD7865364-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- PLYMOUTH
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Transplant Nurse Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
The postholder is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for post‑transplant patients, from immediate post‑operative care through to long‑term follow‑up. The role includes providing education, information and support to promote recovery, optimise graft function and enable safe self‑management following discharge.
The postholder will facilitate nurse‑led post‑transplant clinics, monitor clinical progress and immunosuppression, and provide expert advice through face‑to‑face, telephone and remote support, including a drop‑in advisory service for urgent concerns. Effective communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, primary care, hospital colleagues and regional referral centres is essential to ensure coordinated, high‑quality care.
The role includes participation in a 1:6 on‑call rota (pro rata) for coordinating national kidney offers. The transplant nursing service comprises pre‑transplant waiting list, living donation and post‑transplant teams. Band 6 Transplant Nurse Specialists rotate across all three areas every 18 months to two years to maintain comprehensive expertise and provide effective cross‑cover. This post will initially be based within the post‑transplant nursing team.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Registered Nurse with an interest in renal transplantation to join the post‑transplant team as a Transplant Nurse Specialist.
The role involves the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for post‑transplant patients within a clinic setting. This includes providing advice, education and ongoing support to patients at all stages following transplantation, from the immediate post‑operative period to long‑term follow‑up. The post holder will also offer telephone support and provide education and guidance to patients and their relatives to support recovery, long‑term wellbeing and safe self‑management at home.
The successful applicant will be highly motivated, with experience in renal or transplant nursing, or transferable experience as a clinical nurse specialist from another specialty. Strong organisational and prioritisation skills are essential, alongside effective communication skills and confidence working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
A commitment to ongoing professional development is essential, with a willingness to undertake further specialist training in renal or transplant care. Applicants should demonstrate a positive, flexible and proactive approach, acting as a role model and leading by example. Full training and a structured induction across the wider transplant service will be provided.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The postholder is responsible for delivering comprehensive education for new transplant recipients, in line with agreed national guidelines and local protocols. This includes providing tailored education and health promotion to transplant patients and their families or carers both before and after transplantation.
The postholder acts as a first point of contact for transplant patients, effectively triaging routine and acute referrals and managing telephone enquiries. The role also includes participation in an in‑reach service to support transplant patients across the hospital.
The postholder delivers nurse‑led clinics for both newly transplanted and established patients, managing routine follow‑up and urgent appointments. This includes coordinating and reviewing test results, assessing renal function, therapeutic drug monitoring and facilitating anaemia management for transplant recipients. Annual post‑transplant reviews are undertaken in accordance with national guidance.
The postholder will maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of evolving guidelines and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the service provided.
* See JD for Full Job Description details.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse
- Diploma/Degree in Adult Nursing
- Post qualification renal course or willingness to undertake
- Proven evidence of continuous personal, professional and academic development
Desirable criteria
- Recognised Teaching qualification
- MSc
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable renal and/or transplant experience
- Proven evidence of health promotion and community/ hospital-based clinics for promoting healthy living
- Other specialist area where own case load is managed
Desirable criteria
- Demonstratable leadership or management experience
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Good organisational skills and ability to manage own workload
- Working both autonomously and as part of a team
- Prioritisation skills, balancing clinical workload and service development
- Ability to analyse and evaluate information
- Ability to work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team
- Good IT skills including all forms of Microsoft applications
- Clinical Audit experience
Disposition/ Attitude / Motivation
Essential criteria
- • Ability to role model and lead by example
- • Ability to motivate and manage change
- • Must have good communication skills, influencing and negotiating skills and ability to work with senior colleagues across the Peninsula.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Leanne Stannard
- Job title
- Transplant Nurse Consultant
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 431211
- Additional information
Leanne Stannard, telephone 01752 431211, email [email protected]
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