Job Description

Metastatic Breast Cancer CNS - Band 7



West Middlesex University Hospital site



Permanent



Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for an exciting role in our Breast Cancer CNS team for a Metastatic Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist.



We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced nurse who is committed to delivering excellent patient care and takes pride in what they do. The nurse will work within the cancer nursing team to improve and enhance the metastatic breast cancer patient journey. As an experienced nurse you will work alongside nursing and medical colleagues in surgery and oncology to facilitate the best experience and care for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.



A background in breast cancer or palliative care would be advantageous to the applicant. Excellent communication skills are essential together with an ability to prioritise workload, whilst working as part of a team is also essential.



The Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will deliver an expert, specialist service to patients diagnosed with breast cancer and will be a core member of the Multidisciplinary team providing direct and indirect support and advice to breast cancer patients and their carers working as a key member of the established CNS team.



The CNS will promote excellence in nursing practice through the integration of expert clinical practice, education, consultancy, acting as a resource and commitment to nursing research.



The role includes developing, implementing and evaluating a seamless specialist service ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of clinical care. This will be achieved through clinical practice, management of patient caseload, education, research, audit and professional activities. The post holder will act as a resource for patients, their carers, nursing colleagues and other healthcare workers by offering expert skills, advice and support. They will liaise with the primary care sector and work collaboratively with the RMP Cancer Alliance



Improve clinical outcomes, patient experience and enhance the quality of care provided by the service by being proactive and pioneering in advancing nursing in response to challenging healthcare needs and advances in practice. Ensure the needs of the patient are central to the delivery of care.

Please note:

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.



Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.



Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.



We continually invest in our facilities, including a 30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an 80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.



We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.



The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.



Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.



Clinical



To provide expert nursing advice to patients with Breast malignancies and their families throughout the course of their illness from diagnosis, assessing their needs and providing information as required.

To demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge through expert nursing practice.

To liaise with all relevant members of the multidisciplinary team in the care and support of individual patients including GPs.



To maintain a high profile in the clinical area, acting as a role model for other health care professionals

To facilitate individualised patient care based upon the principles of evidence based practice.

To act as a liaison nurse between inpatient, outpatient and home care, referring on to community support agencies when required.

To hold a nurse led clinic including the development of written protocols based on national standards, following up all Breast cancer patients, arranging relevant tests, reviewing results, diagnosing, prescribing appropriate medication and referring back to a medical team as appropriate.

Supporting patients with body image and sexuality concerns in relation to surgery, utilising other agencies and specialists as appropriate.

To offer advice and support on pain and symptom control liaising with the Specialist palliative care team, and make appropriate referrals to the chronic pain service.

To assess individual patients' psychosocial and spiritual needs and refer for appropriate counselling or to other agencies.

To work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Surgical Directorate.

To work in close collaboration with the cancer and palliative care team.

To counsel the family of patients with Breast cancer, referring to the appropriate genetic service as required.

To provide professional clinical leadership and expertise to other nursing staff.

To help co-ordinate the weekly multi-professional meetings for Breast cancer patients to achieve high standards of MDT working and assist with the compliance and evidence for cancer peer review.

To provide expert nursing advice to primary care teams on managing patients with Breast malignancies.

Responsible for implementing the recovery package for Breast patients including completing of HNA's assisting with health and well-being events and treatment summaries where appropriate.



Education and Leadership



To promote patient/carer independence through the provision of relevant teaching and support.

To participate in and organise study days/education programmes to raise awareness of the holistic needs of patients.

To develop resource and teaching packs for use by patients and/or staff in the clinical and educational setting.

To ensure the provision of appropriate written information is available to patients and staff.

To participate in the Trust's on-going educational programmes.

To evaluate the need for patient support groups within the Trust.

Liaise with other charities, organisations and agencies dedicated to Breast cancer ensuring patients, their families and carers are informed of the availability of existing support services.



Research / Auditing / Quality



To utilise up-to-date research findings in the delivery of patient care and to disseminate this knowledge to all members of the multidisciplinary team.

To participate as appropriate in relevant research studies and audit findings and disseminate these findings to clinical practice as appropriate in order to develop best practice.

To identify opportunities for nursing research within own specialist area and carry out nursing research appropriate to the speciality.

To regularly audit service including eliciting the views of patients, carers and professionals ensuring patient feedback is incorporated into developments in the service.

To attend relevant departmental and Directorate and network meetings relating to clinical governance and to contribute to the clinical governance agenda.



Management



To liaise with other members of the team to ensure that there is an efficient use of resources, human, financial and time.

To ensure that there is a safe and acceptable environment for clients/patient.

To act as a patient/staff advocate through the application of ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills.



Collaboration / Consultancy



To work in a collaborative manner with all members of the multidisciplinary team recognising the unique contribution of other disciplines and appropriately referring.

To recognise own limitations and seek advice and support on referrals.

To act as a resource within the Trust and to participate in Trust-wide professional groups as appropriate.

To represent the Trust locally and nationally, participating in and speaking at conferences.

To work in a collaborative manner with local primary care teams.

To act as a resource to primary care teams, attending meetings organised by the PCT as appropriate.

To provide specialist advice and support related to the purchasing and commissioning of resources/services.

To act in an advisory/ collaborative role with senior management in issues relation to the specialty.

To act as a specialist resource for the management of patients.



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