Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist
The closing date is 05 April 2026
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to fill the position of the Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist.
As a Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist you will be expected to manage a team of Breast care Specialist Nurses, offer your clinical expertise, advice and clinical skills, to ensure the smooth running of the department and make sure that high standards of care are delivered and maintained.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work closely with the multidisciplinary team in hospital and the community to ensure a co‑ordinated quality service and will be actively involved in education, audit and research. The post holder will engage and lead discussions in multidisciplinary team meetings. As a Senior nursing post in the Breast Service, the role will require role‑modeling and clinical expertise to work alongside the MDT to deliver across the pathway from Diagnosis to discharge. The post holder will be an influencer, leader of change and advocate for the personalised care agenda to ensure patients get a holistic approach across the pathway. The post holder will be able to lead and develop nurse‑led services, service development and manage stratified follow up to redesign and sustain breast services.
About us
We want to attract the best and brightest people to work with us and that means we will look after you from the moment you apply for a role at the Trust and throughout your career with us. Our staff are central to everything we do, and we believe that investing in you is crucial if we want to enable you to reach your full potential.
Job responsibilities
* Lead the ongoing development, coordination and evaluation of the Breast Nursing Service in partnership with Consultant Breast Surgeons and Surgical Matron
* Ensure clinical pathways reflect best practice, national guidelines and Trust policies.
* Lead on nurse‑led initiatives to enhance patient experience, pathway efficiency and service outcomes.
* Contribute actively to MDT and SMDT meetings, ensuring timely progression of patients through diagnostic and treatment pathways.
* Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of national and local nursing strategies, including Compassion in Practice and the 6Cs, and embed these principles into daily practice.
* Ensure the delivery of safe, evidence‑based and measurable care aligned with clinical quality indicators, patient experience standards and cancer performance targets.
* Use visual performance tools, audit findings and patient feedback to monitor service effectiveness and promote shared learning.
* Lead reviews of systems and processes, implementing changes to improve patient flow, reduce variation and minimise delays in care.
* Oversee compliance with NMC (2020) professional standards, Trust documentation requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and risk‑management processes.
* Deliver expert, holistic breast oncology nursing care, ensuring timely assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and supportive care.
* Provide specialist nursing interventions within nurse‑led clinics, diagnostics, survivorship, and palliative care pathways.
* Ensure accurate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, with high‑quality record keeping.
* Support shared decision‑making and empower patients and their carers to actively participate in their care.
* Foster strong working relationships across surgical, oncology, radiology, pathology and community teams.
* Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers, adapting communication styles to overcome barriers and ensure clarity.
* Act as a role model for excellence in handling concerns, compliments and complaints, ensuring early resolution and learning
* Lead annual appraisals, personal development planning and competency development for nursing staff within the Breast Service.
* Promote a learning environment that supports mentorship, clinical supervision and career progression for all staff and students.
* Use research and evidence‑based practice to inform service development and clinical decision‑making.
* Ensure staff complete mandatory and role‑specific training, including safeguarding, infection control and manual handling.
* Ensure efficient and safe use of equipment, facilities, and consumables, demonstrating sound financial and resource management.
* Oversee safe environment standards, including infection prevention, health and safety, and incident reporting requirements.
* Contribute to recruitment, selection and retention of the breast care nursing workforce.
* Manage staff sickness, absence and performance in accordance with Trust policies.
* Ensure compliance with Trust Health & Safety policies, risk assessments, incident reporting and implementation of corrective actions.
* Maintain safe systems of work for moving and handling, updating risk assessments and ensuring staff competence.
* Ensure uptake of mandatory training related to health & safety, safeguarding and infection prevention.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Registered Adult Nurse with NMC registration
* Relevant degree in health care related subject or working towards
* Cancer Foundation Module
* Leadership & Management Qualification
* Advanced Communication Course
Experience and Knowledge
* wo years relevant post registration experience at Band 6 in Breast care
* Experience of leadership and management in a clinical area
* Evidence of monitoring and managing poor performance of quality indicators and implementation of successful improvement plans.
* Evidence of leading and contributing to effective integrated multidisciplinary team working, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care delivery.
* Proven ability to lead, motivate, inspire and support a multidisciplinary professional team
* Evidence of clinical competency in area of speciality
* Breast Cancer Nursing experience
Skills and Knowledge
* Ability to prioritise with a flexible attitude to working
* Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
* Excellent communication with a multi professional approach.
* Able to promote team working and best practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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