Job Description
Sister / Charge Nurse
This vacancy is a 15-month fixed term contract
Job Summary
As Session Sister/Charge Nurse, you will lead our donor-facing team to deliver safe, efficient blood collection sessions and an excellent donor experience. You will balance daily performance targets with uncompromising clinical standards, act as the expert in donor eligibility, and prevent, manage and escalate adverse events. You will uphold regulatory compliance, oversee training and competence, and use data to drive quality and productivity. You will also deputise for the Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse/Donor Centre Manager when required—keeping donors and patients at the heart of every decision at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
Your working hours will be on a shift basis but, the normal hours for this role are 3 days per week (6 days per fortnight). Early shifts start as early as 07:15am and can finish up to 19:05pm. Late shifts can start up to 12:10pm and finish up to 22:30pm, this will be 9.5 hour days. Shift times vary according to location of session.
Weekend and bank holiday working will be required. You can expect to work some long hours, but you won’t be working more than five days a week.
Main duties of the job
• Lead donor-facing teams to deliver safe, dignified, compassionate care.
• Ensure donor and product safety, always maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Act as the expert in donor eligibility and staff advisor.
• Prevent, manage, risk-assess and escalate adverse events.
• Mentor, assess and revalidate staff competence.
• Communicate confidently with donors and colleagues.
• Plan and manage session operations including rostering and stock.
• Deputise for senior leaders and contribute to continuous improvement.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
• Credible clinical leader with substantial experience.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills.
• Ability to prioritise and work autonomously.
• Experience delivering against performance objectives.
Qualifications and Training
- Registered Nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (which must be maintained) as Registered Nurse – Adult
- Hold a full and valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 points
Please view the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.
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.
What we offer:
- No night shifts.
- TOIL (Time off in Lieu)
- Opportunities to work in other areas/specialisms.
- Facilitating donation
- 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.
This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on Tuesday 19th May 2026 – please note that this vacancy may close earlier than anticipated if we receive a high number of applications, so it’s recommended to apply early.
Interviews are anticipated to be held Tuesday 2nd June 2026 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Judy McCabe, Senior Sister, on judy.mccabe@nhsbt.nhs.uk
