Consultant

Breast Nurse Consultant

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

CQC: Good

Crewe

Salary

—

Posted

2 weeks ago

About the role

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.

Breast Nurse Consultant

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Apply

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.)

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.

Person specification

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
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
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
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
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

Doctoral qualification or working towards doctorate level study
Experience at Nurse Consultant or equivalent level
Experience of regional or system-wide service development
Involvement in research and publication activities
Knowledge of GIRFT recommendations for breast services
Understanding of New Hospital Programme implications for service redesign
Experience representing organisations at regional or national forums
Experience leading workforce development and advanced practice programmes

Evidence of system leadership and partnership working