Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development, coordination and evaluation of the Breast Nursing Service in partnership with Consultant Breast Surgeons  and Surgical Matron 
• Ensure clinical pathways reflect best practice, national guidelines and Trust policies.
• Lead on nurse‑led initiatives to enhance patient experience, pathway efficiency and service outcomes.
• Contribute actively to MDT and SMDT meetings, ensuring timely progression of patients through diagnostic and treatment pathways.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of national and local nursing strategies, including Compassion in Practice and the 6Cs, and embed these principles into daily practice.
• Ensure the delivery of safe, evidence‑based and measurable care aligned with clinical quality indicators, patient experience standards and cancer performance targets.
• Use visual performance tools, audit findings and patient feedback to monitor service effectiveness and promote shared learning.
• Lead reviews of systems and processes, implementing changes to improve patient flow, reduce variation and minimise delays in care.
• Oversee compliance with NMC (2020) professional standards, Trust documentation requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and risk‑management processes.
• Deliver expert, holistic breast oncology nursing care, ensuring timely assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and supportive care.
• Provide specialist nursing interventions within nurse‑led clinics, diagnostics, survivorship, and palliative care pathways.
• Ensure accurate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, with high‑quality record keeping.
• Support shared decision-making and empower patients and their carers to actively participate in their care.
• Foster strong working relationships across surgical, oncology, radiology, pathology and community teams.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers, adapting communication styles to overcome barriers and ensure clarity.
• Act as a role model for excellence in handling concerns, compliments and complaints, ensuring early resolution and learning
• Lead annual appraisals, personal development planning and competency development for nursing staff within the Breast Service.

• Promote a learning environment that supports mentorship, clinical supervision and career progression for all staff and students.
• Use research and evidence‑based practice to inform service development and clinical decision‑making.
• Ensure staff complete mandatory and role‑specific training, including safeguarding, infection control and manual handling.
• Ensure efficient and safe use of equipment, facilities, and consumables, demonstrating sound financial and resource management.

• Oversee safe environment standards, including infection prevention, health and safety, and incident reporting requirements.
• Contribute to recruitment, selection and retention of the breast care nursing workforce.
• Manage staff sickness, absence and performance in accordance with Trust policies.
• Ensure compliance with Trust Health & Safety policies, risk assessments, incident reporting and implementation of corrective actions.

• Maintain safe systems of work for moving and handling, updating risk assessments and ensuring staff competence.
• Ensure uptake of mandatory training related to health & safety, safeguarding and infection prevention.