Breast Nurse Consultant

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly motivated Breast Nurse Consultant to join the Surgery and Cancer Division at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based at Leighton Hospital. This senior clinical leadership role will provide strategic and operational leadership for breast cancer services, leading the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care across the breast cancer pathway.

The post holder will act as an expert autonomous practitioner, leading the rapid assessment and diagnosis service for patients with suspected breast cancer, supporting achievement of the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), and driving service improvement in line with national cancer priorities, GIRFT recommendations and NHS England guidance.

Working closely with consultants, the multidisciplinary team and regional partners, the Nurse Consultant will provide strategic leadership for service transformation, workforce development, personalised cancer care, advanced practice and implementation of the ACCEND framework.

As part of the Trust's future vision, the post holder will play a key role in service redesign and innovation associated with the New Hospital Programme, ensuring breast cancer services are designed around modern pathways, digital transformation, enhanced diagnostics and best practice models of care. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future delivery of breast cancer services across Cheshire and beyond.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will:

• Provide expert clinical leadership and consultancy across the Breast Cancer Service.
• Lead the rapid assessment pathway for patients with suspected breast cancer and support delivery of the Faster Diagnosis Standard.
• Undertake autonomous advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and management of patients with benign and malignant breast disease.
• Lead nurse-led diagnostic, treatment and follow-up clinics.
• Independently prescribe and manage treatment pathways within agreed protocols.
• Lead service transformation and pathway redesign in line with GIRFT recommendations and NHS Cancer Programme priorities.
• Support implementation of personalised cancer care and risk-stratified follow-up pathways.
• Provide professional leadership for the Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist and Cancer Support Worker workforce.
• Develop advanced practice roles, education programmes and workforce succession plans.
• Lead audit, quality improvement, research and service evaluation initiatives.
• Represent the Trust at regional cancer networks, Cancer Alliance meetings and specialist breast forums.
• Contribute to development of future breast cancer services associated with the Trust's New Hospital Programme. (Derived from the strategic service development responsibilities detailed within the role.)

About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will:

• Provide expert clinical leadership and consultancy across the Breast Cancer Service. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Lead the rapid assessment pathway for patients with suspected breast cancer and support delivery of the Faster Diagnosis Standard. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Undertake autonomous advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and management of patients with benign and malignant breast disease. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Lead nurse-led diagnostic, treatment and follow-up clinics. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Independently prescribe and manage treatment pathways within agreed protocols. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Lead service transformation and pathway redesign in line with GIRFT recommendations and NHS Cancer Programme priorities. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Support implementation of personalised cancer care and risk-stratified follow-up pathways. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Provide professional leadership for the Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist and Cancer Support Worker workforce. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Develop advanced practice roles, education programmes and workforce succession plans. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Lead audit, quality improvement, research and service evaluation initiatives. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Represent the Trust at regional cancer networks, Cancer Alliance meetings and specialist breast forums. [JD Breast...al Version | Word]
• Contribute to development of future breast cancer services associated with the Trust's New Hospital Programme. (Derived from the strategic service development responsibilities detailed within the role.)

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC Registration)
• Master's Degree or equivalent level experience in Advanced Clinical Practice
• Independent Non-Medical Prescriber or willingness to obtain within agreed timeframe
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to breast cancer care and advanced practice
• Leadership or management qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Doctoral qualification or working towards doctorate level study

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience in Breast Cancer Services at a senior level
• Significant experience of autonomous advanced clinical practice
• Experience of leading service improvement and transformation programmes
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working and clinical leadership
• Experience of audit, quality improvement and clinical governance

Desirable

• Experience at Nurse Consultant or equivalent level
• Experience of regional or system-wide service development
• Involvement in research and publication activities

Knowledge
Essential

• Advanced knowledge of breast cancer pathways, diagnostics and treatment
• Knowledge of national cancer standards, Faster Diagnosis Standard and personalised cancer care
• Understanding of Advanced Clinical Practice and ACCEND framework
• Knowledge of clinical governance, safeguarding and risk management

Desirable

• Knowledge of GIRFT recommendations for breast services
• Understanding of New Hospital Programme implications for service redesign

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Strong leadership and influencing skills
• Ability to lead and manage change across teams and services
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical and performance data

Desirable

• Experience representing organisations at regional or national forums
• Experience leading workforce development and advanced practice programmes

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Committed to delivering high-quality patient-centred care
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and compassion
• Innovative and proactive approach to service development
• Ability to work autonomously and strategically

Desirable

• Evidence of system leadership and partnership working

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).