Breast Care Program Manager

at  Beacon Hospital

Job Title: Breast Care Program Manager
Department: Breast Care Centre / Cancer Services
Reports to: Head of Cancer Services
Date: 2024
Summary of Breast Program Manager Role
Under the general direction of the Head of Cancer Services, the Breast Care Services Program Manager is accountable for the effective management and delivery of care to patients with breast problems. This position will be responsible for creating systems that facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among disciplines in the provision of breast services. The Breast Care Program Manager works within a multidisciplinary team in the provision of these services. This position will provide input into the preparation of budgets; development of marketing plans; and maintaining knowledge of growth, performance and quality/ patient outcomes. The Breast Care Program Manager will effectively communicate with the multidisciplinary, nursing and consultants in planning for change and providing optimal patient care services. This position will act as a resource within Beacon Hospital and to the community in his/her area of expertise. Key responsibilities include patient care, development of systems of care for the program, staff development and education, team building and support of quality improvement programs. The Breast Care Program Manager continually works closely with the Director of Radiology, Director of Clinical Services, Consultant Breast Surgeons, Consultant Breast Radiologists, breast radiographers, interventional radiology, Head of Surgical Services patient services, Pathology, and affiliated staff for the coordination and implementation of new procedures.

EDUCATION

• To possess highly specialised knowledge regarding breast disease. This knowledge shall be acquired through relevant study and experience.
• To provide an educational service for patients and their families, formally and informally.
• To incorporate health promotion principles into all aspects of nursing care.
• To participate in teaching programmes and in-service training programmes for all staff.
• To ensure adequate patient education material is available and contribute to developing new educational material where required.
• Recognise the opportunity for clinical supervision and access if appropriate.

GOVERNANCE

The post holder will operate at all times to high standards of probity. This will include compliance with:

• Health and safety regulations
• All policies and procedures approved by Beacon Hospital
• Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act
• Work within limitations of the role.
• An Bord Altranais Professional Code of Conduct
• National Cancer Strategy and the O’Higgins Report

For the purpose of this post the post holder will have achieved competence in the CNS domains as regulated by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Support the aims and vision of Beacon Hospital and the Beacon Hospital Cancer Centre
• Act with honesty and integrity at all times
• Be a positive ambassador for the hospital
• Demonstrate high standards of personal conduct
• Value and respect colleagues, other members of staff and patients.
• Work with others to develop and improve our services

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of duties and responsibilities but is a guide for information to the job. The post holder may be required, after consultation, to carry out other related tasks, which may not be specifically mentioned above.

QUALIFICATIONS

• NMBI Registration Essential
• BNS Desirable

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

Essential

• Excellent communications skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work alone and organise own caseload.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to initiate and manage change
• Good IT and computer skills

Desirable

• Management Development
• 2 years in the area of medical oncology
• Course in teaching and assessing in clinical practice.
• Experience in research

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day direction and coordination of the breast care services program; ensuring the program is oriented towards patient care, comfort, and convenience.
• Plan and coordinate the care of the patient entering the breast care service program for triple assessment or diagnostic services, assisting them through the points of care as appropriate; primary care, medical imaging, general surgery, oncology and other disciplines as needed.
• Monitor flow of patients, work to resolve patient delays, plan and/or create systems that allow for patient to have access to services in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate clinical knowledge by acting as a resource; work with providers and affiliated clinic staff to create a team approach to breast care.
• In collaboration with the Director of radiology and Head of Cancer Service, lead any new project for infrastructure and service growth.
• Facilitate and participate in development of strategic planning and implementation of Beacon Hospital and Cancer Services collaborative goals for breast care services.
• Initiate the development and revision of policies and procedures specific to the breast care services program
• Initiate monthly to quarterly Breast Care Departmental Meeting
• Plan for changes in care by conducting regular meetings with staff, providers, and administration.
• Submit reports as requested which include a summary monthly status and achievement of program objectives and goals.
• Develop, in collaboration with the Beacon Oncology Strategic Steering and Breast Care Departmental committee, a multidisciplinary quality improvement program that incorporates patient care standards
• Utilize formal and informal organizational structures across the system to develop and maintain effective working relationships with primary care, radiology, surgery, oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and any other specialties working in or referring patients to the breast care services program.
• Develop and implement an ongoing process for problem-solving
• Adjust and improve systems as necessary to respond to changing health care environment to meet cost effective quality care.
• Stay abreast of new technology in breast care related equipment and supplies; act as a resource to other disciplines.
• Remain current on new treatments for breast cancer.
• Work with providers and staff to identify issues of mutual concern, solve problems, review staffing plans and overall operation of the program.
• Recruit, orient, and train breast care services staff. Interview and select candidates who have appropriate skills and professional characteristics to match program needs.
• Develop and support an environment in which staff learning is supported and stimulated.
• Act as a consultant and clinical resource to program staff through provision of patient care and coordination of care.
• Plan, establish, and maintain relationships and involvement with affiliate clinical programs as opportunities arise.
• Participate in-patient, family, and staff teaching.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive patient education programs that assure quality and appropriateness of care across settings (i.e. inpatient, ambulatory).
• Represent Breast Care and Beacon Hospital on appropriate committees and interact with community, regional and national agencies related to breast care services.
• Participate in professional organizations in specialty area and utilize research as the basis for improving patient care.
• Work with the Head of Cancer Service in the development and running of an ANP lead High Risk Clinic.
• Work with the Head of Cancer Services in the development of a wider genetics / genomics program for Beacon Hospital including the development and running of a local Molecular Tumour Board.

MAIN ROLE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BREAST CARE CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST:

• To provide specialist knowledge, expertise and care to breast cancer patients.
• To offer advice and support recognising the differences in the psychosocial impact of a breast cancer diagnosis.
• To ensure continual optimal care for inpatients and out-patients and their families.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate all aspects of the patient’s physical, psychological and social needs.
• Monitor patients on an ongoing basis, to evaluate outcomes and adjust nursing care practice to ensure optimum co-ordination and delivery of care.
• The Breast care CNS shall provide pre and post operative counselling, fitting of prosthesis both temporary and permanent when required.
• To provide pre and post treatment care and support including in-depth information re; treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine treatment.
• To assess, plan, implement, and evaluate all aspects of the patient’s physical, psychological and social needs maintaining autonomous practice.
• To develop and participate in family history clinics, follow-up and results clinics.
• Provide practical information on all aspects of altered image, which can be caused by the disease and treatment e.g. surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy.
• To keep accurate, legible records and be aware of the legal implications of these documents.
• To review Breast Care referrals in collaboration with the Lead Consultant.
• To liaise closely with the patient’s primary health care teams.
• To demonstrate ability to participate in multi-disciplinary conferences with all professionals involved in delivery of patient care. The Breast care CNS shall act as a patient advocate in their absence, using knowledge and skills to co-ordinate continuity of care.
• To establish and monitor standards of nursing practice in relation to ensuring best practice.
• To attend the Triple Assessment Clinic as necessary
• To work in collaboration with the Surgical, Medical and Radiation Oncology Teams to develop care pathways, implement best practice guidelines and standards of care.
• Provides leadership in clinical practice and acts as a resource and role model for specialist practice.