Transplant Nurse Specialist

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.

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.***