Breast Care Nurse Specialist

at  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 1. Clinical Works autonomously to manage her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the breast multidisciplinary team. Communicates highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. Utilizes advanced skills of assessment, interpreting complex needs, and implements specialist nursing care for patients with breast cancers, and their carers.
To act as patient advocate when relevant and be able to educate on all the treatment options to enable a patient to make an informed choice, negotiating with the medical team to agree a timely pathway of care. Provides continuity of care throughout the patient journey and liaises across organizational boundaries within Trust, the network and to other regions, in order to provide a seamless, patient-focused service. Develops specialized programmes of care and provide specialized advice and written and verbal information to patients with breast cancers, and their carers. Attendance in breast clinics at time of diagnosis and result giving by clinician.
Organises and implements a nurse-led follow up clinics and drop-in clinics for all groups of patients. Assesses patients needs regarding body image and sexuality. Supply information and advice regarding swimwear and underwear. Autonomously runs breast prosthetic fitting clinics.
Identify vulnerable groups and educate in the prevention of lymphoedema of the arm. Advise and refer to a lymphoedema specialist nurse as appropriate. Assess patients with regard to post-operative seroma formation and aspirate seroma as per written standard. Provides clinical advice and support to health care professionals within and across organizational boundaries.
Formulates individualized patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical team. Ensure investigations and treatments are organized as needed, and in accordance with patient wishes as their advocate. To provide support for distressed patients with breast tumours, their carers and identifying patients at risk and referring to appropriate agencies. Reviews patients independently and initiates changes in management of care.
Participates in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements. Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes. In collaboration with breast multidisciplinary team members assess the needs of patients, families and carers and provide specialist advice, support and open telephone access during, and after treatment is completed. Accepts accountability and autonomy for own actions.
2.Professional Maintain registration and act within the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Code of Professional Conduct at all times. Regularly reflection on their own professional practice under the terms of the Revalidation process. Maintain a professional profile. Supporting the Lead Cancer Nurse in the development of local policies in relation to the implementation of the NHS cancer plan.
In conjunction with the Lead Breast Care Nurse review your performance and plan training and development needs. Support development and training of junior staff. Attend mandatory training relevant to post as specified by the Trust. Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g.
Health and Safety at work, Equal opportunities. Adhere to Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust confidentiality guidelines diversity/vulnerable adults/children. Respect the requirements of the data protection act 1998. Be aware of and comply with the Trust policies and procedures relating to Clinical Governance and ensure that nursing clinical practice adheres to nationally recognised standards.
3. Education Assists in Developing in house specialist educational and training programmes and works with local education providers to develop post registration educational programmes and ensure they meet local need. Provides support and mentorship to other members of the team, as required. Support other health care professionals in relation to challenging behaviour as a result of receiving disappointing or bad news.
Participates in training for a variety of health and non health care professionals in breast malignancies. Advise on health promotion and health education to external bodies and patient associations. Particularly in relation to public and personal attitudes to cancer. Identifies, assesses and meets the educational and training needs of patients and carers.
Maintain own professional development in specialised field at advanced level. Maintain and update evidence based knowledge and skills in relation to breast care nursing. Work in conjunction with other specialist breast care nurses and breast cancer charities, especially to promote Breast Cancer Awareness and promote Every Contact Counts for health promotion activities. To represent the Trust in internal and external forums and study days in relation to specific educational initiatives.
4. Management and Leadership Assists in planning and future development of Breast Care nursing service. Manages own caseload, and coordinates patient journey across divisions and organisational boundaries, and organises own work and practice according to and within the scope of the Nursing &Midwifery Councils Code of Professional Practice. Works in close collaboration with Consultants across Trust, Network and Regional boundaries to ensure breast cancer service meets patients needs.
Assists in the supervision of junior members of the breast care nurse team, so enhancing and assisting in their professional development. Participates in setting standards of care for breast care patients and continually monitors their outcomes. Assist in the development of protocols and policies for the breast cancer service. Assist with the review of and development of specialist patient information.
Ensures that appropriate levels of stock of written information for patient/carer use is available at all times. Works with patients and users to develop breast cancer services. Be a member of relevant professional association and attend regional/national meetings and conferences. Attendance and contribute to the discussion about patients treatment plans at the multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Risk assessment: assess and monitor risk in own and others practice within the Breast unit. Demonstrates confidence in challenging others about risk factors and poor compliance For further details please see the attached JD & P

Please refer the Job description for details