Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• To assess, implement and evaluate programmes of physical, social and emotional care for patients in line with current evidence, Unit and Trust policies and the NMC Code of Professional Practice.
• To ensure patients understand their treatment options enabling them to give informed consent.
• To act as an advocate for patients receiving care within the Breast service.
• To support patients through the psychological impact of altered body image.
• To liaise and communicate with other members of the nursing and multi-disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of care for Breast patients, e.g. Cancer Team, Counsellor, Radiology staff.
• To work as a team player and liaise and communicate effectively with members of the nursing, medical and multidisciplinary team.
• Work in conjunction with the Breast Care Nurse Specialists in the development of evidence-based practice in Breast Services.
• Undertake nurse led duties following competency assessments as delegated by the Breast Care Nurse Specialists for example Nurse Led Benign Telephone Results, Prosthesis Clinic, PIFU, Screening Assessment clinics, Results clinics and more. 
• Advise patients on the prevention of and management of arm lymphoedema.
• In conjunction with the Breast Care Nurse Specialists initiate and support innovative change in line with evidence based practice, national standards and relevant reports relating to Breast Cancer patients.
• Contribute to service developments and patient pathway changes.
• To liaise with colleagues, GPs and other professionals where necessary in order to provide a seamless service for patients receiving care across both health and other agency boundaries.
• To act as a role model to junior colleagues and students within the outpatient setting

Communication

• To work as a team player, liaise and communicate effectively with members of the nursing, medical and multidisciplinary team.
• To liaise and communicate with other members of the nursing and multi-disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of care for Breast patients, e.g. Cancer Team, Counsellor, Radiology staff and the wider community.
• To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations.

Education

• To ensure that own clinical and non-clinical mandatory training is up to date.
• To participate in My Performance Appraisal (MPA) process and identify own training requirements and personal development plan.
• Continue own professional education through formal and informal routes to acquire new skills in relation to the development of practice in Breast Services.
• To participate in teaching programmes for nursing, medical staff and Organisations outside of the Trust.
• To act as clinical practice mentor for students ensuring that they are able to meet their objectives through the formulation of learning contracts.

Research

• To keep up to date with current practice/research which is evidence-based and to participate in audit to ensure that this is effective.
• To participate in research within the department and Trust as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the Breast Care Nurse Specialists identify areas of practice for development and assist with planning and implementation of changes.
• Contribute to the development of research based policies and protocols with the Breast Unit.
• To be involved in clinical audit and benchmarking initiatives as required.

Resource Management

• To identify and manage resource issues in the use of staffing, equipment, and the Breast Unit resources.
• To identify areas of need as required in particular relation to waiting times and access to the service and contribute to ensuring that cancer targets are met.
• Contribute to cases for new equipment and contribute to information required for Investment appraisals for the purchase of new equipment as required.
• To liaise with the Breast Care Nurse Specialists and the Breast Services Manager where appropriate to minimise or reduce expenditure.

Operational

• To attend meetings internally and externally as requested by the Breast Care Nurse Specialists and the Breast Services Manager.
• To participate in requirements for Breast QA visits and Peer Review assessments as requested by the Breast Care Nurse Specialists and the Breast Services Manager.
• In liaison with the Breast Care Nurse Specialists maintain the safety and upkeep of the clinic environment, undertake risk assessments and participate in requirements for Healthcare Governance needs.
• To participate in the Risk Management strategy of the department and the Trust and ensure that Datix are reported in a timely way.
• To ensure that adequate staffing levels are maintained at all times in all areas and identify areas of need to the Breast Care Nurse Specialists.
• To act up for the Breast Care Nurse Specialists as requested.
• To assist in the collection of data for statistical and administrative purposes.

Any other duties applicable to this post and grade may be required and agreed between the Breast Services Manager and the post holder.