About this role
Job summary
The Cornea Donation Co-ordinator supports the identification and referral of potential cornea donors across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Working within Bereavement Services, the role involves sensitively approaching families for consent, liaising closely with the National Referral Centre, and ensuring the donation process runs smoothly and efficiently. The post holder maintains accurate records, promotes eye donation within the Trust and local community, and collaborates with clinical teams and external partners. Operating as part of a 7-day service, they help ensure every suitable donation opportunity is recognised and managed with compassion, professionalism and adherence to national standards.
Main duties of the job
Identify potential cornea donors by reviewing patient records and following national and local guidelines.
Approach bereaved families with sensitivity to discuss eye donation and obtain consent.
Liaise closely with the National Referral Centre to ensure timely and effective progression of the donation pathway.
Maintain accurate records and data on donation activity using Trust systems.
Provide specialist advice on eye donation to families, clinical staff, funeral directors and Coroner's services.
Work collaboratively with clinical teams, Medical Examiners, Mortuary staff and NHS Blood and Transplant.
Support the promotion of eye donation across the Trust and within the community, including involvement in awareness campaigns.
Assist with service development to improve quality, referrals and donation outcomes.
Represent the Eye Donation Service at relevant meetings locally, regionally and nationally.
Provide cover and support within the Bereavement Service to ensure delivery of a compassionate, efficient service.
Supervise bereavement staff, contribute to rota management and support staff development.
Ensure high standards of governance, including incident reporting, feedback collection and adherence to Trust policies.
Maintain own professional development and participate in training and education across the organisation.
Work flexibly as part of a 7-day service rota.
About us
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its employees. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
3 A-Levels or NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent relevant education at level 3) or equivalent experience ILM Level 3 or equivalent management experience Evidence of ongoing professional development. Willingness to undergo further training necessary for the role provided by NHBT
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Working in an NHS Hospital or other large organisation. Knowledge of the after-death pathway and an awareness of stakeholders (such as HM Coroners and Funeral Directors) and their role in care after death or a willingness to undergo role specific training provided by the Bereavement Manager. Knowledge and understanding of: Tissue retrival services and related medical terminology or a willingness to undertake role specific training provided by NHSBT Knowledge of local and national guidelines around organ donation or a willingness to undertake role specific training provided by NHSBT Experience of problem solving and knowledge/ experience of resolving issues that may include developing additional or alternative procedures Evidence of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of professionals and service users. Experience of and ability to manage staff to organisational policies. An awareness of the challenges currently facing the NHS. Knowledge/ experience of using a range of patient EPR systems including: Cerner, SystmOne, Ulysses etc to review patient information and maintain accurate records to be used for performance reporting. Experience of previous experience compiling and presenting numerical KPI, and governance data or a willingness to undergo role specific governance, data compilation and presenting training. Knowledge of NHS data protection standards and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
Desirable
Experience of managing change.
Skills and Abilities Essential
Ability to speak compassionately and empathetically with the bereaved and a willingness to undertake role specific training on conducting sensitive phone calls. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Highly developed organisational skills including the ability to multitask and work under pressure in a fast paced environment. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of professionals and service users. Ability to motivate influence, persuade and direct across all grades and disciplines of staff. Good standard of I.T. literacy and keyboard skills including the use of Microsoft Office software packages. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to be flexible and sensitive and able to cope with the changing needs of the role. Ability to review and analyse data and make recommendations to increase output based on findings Ability to deal effectively with conflict and to minimise its escalation.
Desirable
Full Driving Licence.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
Sheffield
S5 7AU
Employer's website https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)