Job summary
- Main area
- Bereavement / Tissue Donation
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- 3 years (This post is fixed term for 3 years due to funding - fixed term or secondment with a possibility of extension)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 001-NMR152-0725
- Employer
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hopital of Wales
- Town
- Cardiff
- Salary
- £37,898 - £45,637 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Bereavement and Tissue Donation Nurse
Band 6
WHO WE ARE:
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so, we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.
We are a values-driven organisation and out goals will only be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:
· We are kind and caring
· We are respectful
· We have trust and integrity
· We take personal responsibility
OUR REGION:
Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
Please be advised that there is a temporary top up for Bands 2 and 3 to reflect the incorporation of the top up to the living wage of £12.60 per hour - £24,638 per annum.
This temporary top up will be in place until the annual pay uplift for 2025/26 is confirmed
Job overview
An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen within our Patient Experience Team. We are seeking experienced nurses to work within our Bereavement Support Service to develop a new Tissue Donation initiative, working in collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant.
You will need to be motivated and enthusiastic to assist in the development and delivery of the new service, raising awareness of Tissue Donation locally.
We are looking for sensitive and caring individuals who can balance empathy with the need to make quick decisions and problem solve where needed. There will be comprehensive training and development opportunities in order to progress with the specific level of knowledge and awareness required for this role.
This role is primarily based in the University Hospital of Wales; there may be an occasional requirement to travel to other sites within the Health Board. Participation in rotational weekend and bank holiday cover is an essential aspect of the role, and you will be expected to be flexible to business needs.
Eye Retrieval Competence is an essential aspect of the role, but training will be provided.
Main duties of the job
You will join an established bereavement support service and be responsible for the development and maintenance of a robust, sustainable and high-quality referral system for potential tissue donors. This will require a close working relationship with the National Referral Centre; ensuring effective communication to ensure all aspects of the donation process are completed on a daily basis. In addition, you will take a central role in the coordination and delivery of teaching to Health Board staff.
Being a Bereavement and Tissue Donation Specialist Nurse offers an opportunity to make a difference and improve lives, as well as growing professionally and collaborating with a compassionate and dedicated team. The ability to speak with bereaved families in a sensitive and compassionate manner is essential. This role will require the nurse to undertake the tissue donation procedure within a mortuary setting.
You will work alongside a committed Bereavement Support Service who are responsible for providing support to those who have been cared for and/or live within our Health Board area. You will work collaboratively alongside bereavement colleagues to provide cover across the department as required during times of staff shortages, contributing to the work of the wider team, to ensure that an efficient and caring service is provided, which is sensitive to the needs of the bereaved.
Working for our organisation
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NMC registration, with relevant post registration experience
- Evidence of appropriate level of education i.e. degree supplemented by diploma level training or equivalent specialist knowledge gained through formal training and work experience
- A commitment to life-long learning and seeking regular personal/professional development opportunities
- NHSBT Eye Retrieval competence
Desirable criteria
- Bereavement counselling qualification
- Education or teaching qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Human Tissue Act and Coroners & Justice Act
- Understanding of the roles of HM Coroner and the Medical Examiner
- Able to perform clinical duties commensurate to that of the role
- Experience of working within the NHS and caring for a dying patient and the bereaved
- Experience of working with people from differing cultural/religious backgrounds
Desirable criteria
- Professional experience with grief and loss or work of a similar nature
- Experience of clinical teaching/education
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.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Faye Protheroe
- Job title
- Bereavement Lead Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 029 2184 4949
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