Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our breast cancer nursing service.

We are currently recruiting for a band 7 Breast care nurse, however a band 6 to band 7 progression post would be considered for the right candidate. Progression to the band 7 would be subject to meeting predefined competencies.

As a band 7 clinical nurse specialist you will:

Provision of specialist, high quality, expert nursing care and support for patients and their carers with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Deliver evidence based individualised patient care according to patient's changing health care needs, through holistic needs assessment, (HNA). To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries. To develop patient pathways and be responsible for developing the nursing service. To provide expert knowledge and advice in own specialist area, ensuring maintenance of clinical excellence underpinned by evidence-based practice. Work with the Multidisciplinary team and Cancer Management Team to ensure that the breast cancer service complies with the national standards for safety and quality, which are assessed through the National Cancer Quality Surveillance Review Process and actively

Main duties of the job

We welcome candidates who can demonstrate a passion to support and drive this service forward with interpersonal and effective communication skills being essential for this role to fulfil the main duties of this role as listed below:

To perform an effective key role within the MDT to deliver cancer waiting times targets and pathways communication. To act as a specialist resource for patients and the clinical team by providing comprehensive advice, information, teaching and training both within the Trust and externally. Update own clinical and specialist knowledge. Contribute in audit processes. Undertake, where appropriate, nursing research with published outcomes. Promote excellence in clinical practice, and the setting of quality standards within specialty. Active involvement in the development of the service locally and nationally. Clinical excellence.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Places quality at the heart of practice by delivering evidence based individualised patient care according to patients changing health care needs, through holistic needs assessment, (HNA). Uses specialist knowledge and provides specialist advice to ensure effective continuity of care delivery to patients and their families with breast cancer from diagnosis ,treatment, survivorship, recurrence and palliative care Demonstrates high level clinical, technical and research skills through breadth and depth of knowledge. Acts as a Keyworker for a clinical caseload, working to coordinate care and provide easy access for ongoing support for patients and carers. Provide level 2 psychological and emotional support, advice, counselling, information and education to all breast care patients, their partners and families during diagnosis, treatment and recovery periods. To be responsible for referring onto level 3 psychological support when appropriate. To undertake nurse led follow up clinics. Autonomously provide specialist breast care nursing skills to assess patients physical, psychological and social needs In accordance with local protocols, order and interpret investigative procedures in a clinically effective and cost efficient manner to support patient diagnosis and ongoing treatment. Support the delivery of a nurse-led breast prosthesis fitting service Uses advanced communication skills in all aspects of patient assessment, care and support. Assesses peoples information needs and provides relevant information to meet those needs. Enables people to access, identify, appraise and interpret information to facilitate patient choice. Provides clinical expertise, specialist advice and support across service boundaries. Is able to influence the patient care pathway, refers to other professionals and sign-posts patients to other agencies as appropriate. Actively integrates theory and practice. In conjunction with the clinical team, undertakes (risk) stratification for patients having cancer follow up. Promotes self-management through education and guided support in line with National and Cancer Alliance . Uses creative reasoning, experience and vision to advance care and influence patient outcomes. Demonstrates continuous evaluation of practice and make changes where appropriate. Ensures the provision of care is in accordance with Bedford Hospital NHS Trusts policies & procedures and in line with EOE Cancer Alliance & National Guidance.

Managerial/Leadership

Support and work closely with the MDT chair and MDT coordinator (MDTC) to ensure the MDT requirements are accurate and robustly managed within specified timeframes in accordance with local and national policy. Support proficient pathway management including robust communication (internal and external); clinical data collection; cancer data reporting/cancer waiting times compliance; cancer pathway management. Participate in preparation and delivery of Cancer Quality Surveillance Process. Promotes a culture that supports patient centred care and patient empowerment. Acts as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership to others. Collates and interprets quantitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality. Is able to utilise data to support business cases and reports as appropriate. Contributes to the identification of service goals and appreciates how these link with performance targets and quality indicators. Supports the implementation and monitoring of adherence to relevant site specific clinical guidelines for cancer nursing practice. Works collaboratively with the clinical lead for the service and contributes to the identification of service objectives, annual report and annual work plan for the service. Actively participates in multi-professional meetings, acting as the patient advocate and representing nursing views. Actively engages with the cancer management team and other partners as appropriate to continuously raise the profile of cancer nursing and promote patient centred services for patients affected by cancer. Work closely with the other Clinical Nurse Specialists within the Cancer Nursing Team and provide cross cover if/when necessary. Supports the wider Trust nursing agenda through representation on committees/ working groups as appropriate.

Education

Takes personal responsibility for life-long learning and personal development through clinical supervision, appraisal and Knowledge and Skills Framework and actively engages with learning and development opportunities and the revalidation process. Influences the training and development of others (MDT, nursing roles, etc.), in particular supports generic staff to care for patients with cancer. Provides specialist education and training to other professionals involved in patient care. Be appraised at least annually and contribute to own personal development plan (PDP). When appropriate act as a mentor for newly appointed Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Service Improvement

Supports the nursing contribution to service development, ensuring the pursuit of excellence in care. Develops new skills in response to emerging knowledge and techniques. Works across professional boundaries using creative reasoning and problem-solving to facilitate new ways of working to influence improvements in the patient care pathway. Instigates and manages change within a complex environment. Is able to evaluate the impact of change and any impact on the patient care pathway. Promotes patient and public experience feedback through local initiatives to drive Innovation and change. To maintain accurate data relating to the clinical service ensuring strict confidentiality, compiling statistical data to profile the service and inform its future strategic development.

Research & Audit

Influences and participates in development of policy and clinical guidelines internally and externally. Promotes the service and clinical excellence by publishing and presenting innovations, audit and research locally and nationally. Participates in National Audit for specialist group. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Nurse Educated to degree level or working towards Post registration qualification in specialist area Evidence of continuing professional development IRMER Training Advanced Practitioner Course in Breast Examination Advanced communication skills

Desirable

Teaching Qualification independent prescribing

Experience

Essential

Relevant post registration experience in breast cancer care or oncology Successful multi-agency working Experience of teaching and assessing Experience of developing and undertaking audit Service development and implementation of change Clinical Leadership experience Requesting radiological imaging a a NMQR

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of professional issues relating to specialist area Knowledge of Clinical Governance/ Risk Management Knowledge of Clinical Audit & research Knowledge of understanding clinical issues - assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care Knowledge of Risk Management

Desirable

NHS IT systems

Skills

Essential

Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills Able to be a positive and effective team worker in the multidisciplinary team Able to manage work autonomously Ability to prioritise workload, demonstrate good organisational skills and work effectively within a management structure Intermediate IT skills Ability to support and care for patients who have received a life threatening diagnosis.

Desirable

Able to perform Advanced Clinical Assessment Able to analyse data and provide written reports

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