Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, experienced, and enthusiastic Consultant Practitioner to become part of the Radiotherapy and working with the breast clinical oncology team at The Christie NHS FT Radiotherapy department based at Withington site. The Christie NHS FT is the largest cancer treatment centre of its kind in Europe, seeing more than 40,000 patients a year. We are an international leader in cancer research and development.
You will be a key member of the clinical team, which includes Advanced Practitioners and will be a part of a large cross-trust multi-disciplinary team. You will be involved in the clinical training and development of qualified AHP’s, nurses and support staff. We are open to discussing a Band 8a training post for this role if you do not already possess the essential skills required.
The Consultant Practitioner (Breast) will demonstrate highly developed specialist knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of breast oncology patients, working under the clinical direction of a consultant clinical oncologist. As a lead specialist in a defined area of radiotherapy related care, the Consultant Practitioner (breast) will formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute and chronic illness and will respond to actual and potential health problems appropriately. They will participate in the direct clinical management of patients from first presentation at the hospital, until discharge.
This includes history taking, systematic physical examination, and requisition of appropriate clinical investigations. Formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate. The post holder will undertake contouring of tumour volume, organs at risk, nodal groups/involvement with regards to radiotherapy treatment planning. The post holder will prescribe radiotherapy treatment.
PLEASE REFER TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A FULL LIST OF MAIN DUTIES.
About The Christie
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Working hours must be flexible to fit the needs of the service and individuals will be expected to participate in all shift patterns and will be contracted to work between 6am and 11pm.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Communication: provide and receive highly complex, and sometimes sensitive information on aspects of patient care; engage in persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassuring interactions; achieve consensus among MDTs and colleagues.
* Teaching and Education: lecture to radiographers, postgraduate scientists, doctors in training and others; assist in organisation of the department’s teaching programmes.
* Clinical Involvement: consent patients for treatment and procedures; accept and make referrals; check and interpret referrals and act as clinically indicated; educate patients and carers on health promotion and illness prevention; promote lifestyle changes where appropriate.
* Record Keeping and Liaison: prepare accurate records and reports; communicate with referrers, GPs and other clinical teams; coordinate breast radiotherapy treatments with referrers and RT department; support breast MDTs.
* Team Collaboration: ensure effective communication within the MDT; collaborate within the Cancer Network and offer clinical support to colleagues in cancer units.
* Strategic Involvement: participate in strategic review of the service and represent the service at internal/external planning meetings and advisory boards.
Knowledge, Training and Experience
The post holder will have highly developed specialist knowledge across radiotherapeutic, palliative and other medical aspects of patient care within Radiotherapy. This will be underpinned by theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience, obtained through postgraduate study (such as a master’s degree). They will have significant formal training in, or experience in advanced practice and specialised radiotherapy. They will maintain and develop this expertise to enable collaboration with senior colleagues and medical staff, and to facilitate patient management. They will act as an expert resource and provide advice and support to ward/departmental areas and to The Christie’s local, regional, national and international partners. The post holder will maintain professional registration and practice through CPD, including a professional portfolio, and will identify development needs and participate in a personal development plan with a named mentor.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
The post holder’s key function is to supervise critical elements of the patient pathway in patients under the care of a Clinical Oncologist. They will assess complex facts and situations, using analytical skills and evaluation of options. They will review and evaluate their own practice, practise evidence-based healthcare, and contribute to Trust clinical policies in relation to their area of practice. They will analyse national policies, advise on impact for service, and contribute to changes and evaluation with MDTs.
Planning, Organisational Skills
The post holder will plan and organise complex treatment and clinical management plans; translate developments into the clinical setting; plan and manage own workload and service workload to meet patient needs.
Responsibility for Patient Care
* Provide highly specialist clinical and technical services; contribute to design, implementation and monitoring of radiotherapy and clinical pathways for breast treatment.
* Prescribe drugs, including unlicensed medications and those used in clinical trials as per NMP policies; prescribe blood products as per hospital policy.
* Advocate for patients, carers and support partners; develop patient-specific information and ensure appropriate information and support are provided.
* Refer patients to other professionals as appropriate; ensure patient-centered involvement.
* Assess, recognise and manage radiotherapy toxicity and cancer-related side effects; implement assessments and treatments per patient needs using advanced clinical reasoning.
* Ensure interventions align with best practice and conduct procedures safely; contour tumour volume, organs at risk, nodal groups for radiotherapy planning; prescribe radiotherapy treatment.
* Contribute to clinical governance, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and handling of complaints.
* Provide care and information to patients and carers, maintain safety, dignity and confidentiality; coordinate management plans with relevant teams to ensure timely care.
* Triage and communicate management plans; follow IR(ME)R regulations in imaging, treatment and verification exposures.
Policy/Service Development
The post holder will specialise in breast radiotherapy, propose changes to policy across radiotherapy and related disciplines, and collaborate with local, regional, national and international partners to develop clinical management strategies. They will participate in Trust committees and groups contributing to local/national strategy and service development.
This advert closes on Thursday 18 Dec 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr