Job summary The post holder will be the lead clinician for breast reconstruction be responsible for leading and developing the breast reconstruction nursing service for patients referred to and undergoing breast cancer or significant congenital developmental asymmetry Main duties of the job MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provide information and support to patients considering or undergoing breast reconstruction to enable them to make an informed choice of their options and to extend this support to their families or carers. Provide nurse led clinics for initial assessment and information giving and follow up as required within scope of practice. Maintain close working relationships with the plastic surgeons and be an active member of the MDT. Be a key worker for all patients undergoing breast reconstruction. Act as the patients advocate when informed discussion may lead to choices concerning treatment options. Respond formally and informally to the educational needs of those involved in the patient care of this client group. Provide holistic care throughout the patients pathway. Participate in research and clinical trials affecting patients having breast reconstruction. Participate in audit of the service provided to patients having breast reconstruction within the trust. Give information regarding further treatments following surgery. Liaise with breast care nurses to ensure patients have access to the provision of breast provisions of breast pros About us If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post. Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success Date posted 19 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number C9439-2425-1025 Job locations University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW Job description Job responsibilities The post holder should have experience of working with patients who have undergone Breast surgery and have a sound knowledge and understanding of the psychological elements involved in caring for the patients following breast surgery. The post holder will have strong communication links with the Plastic Surgery consultants, the Breast Care team, ard nursing teams and clinic areas and also with the patient and families to support them throughout their decision making process and in the recovery phase. The role of the clinical nurse specialist in breast reconstruction care is multifaceted, incorporating key functions as policy and standard development, practice development, education, research and professional development. To support patients to be partners in their own health care through education, discussion and explanation of care. To provide a point of contact for all patients throughout the breast reconstruction journey and act as a source of information and support. This includes outpatient attendance, inpatient admissions and providing telephone service. The post holder with liaise with the MDT to enable and provide a quality service provision for all patients considering or undergoing breast reconstruction. Work closely with the breast care team and plastic surgeons in facilitating the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients. Provide expert knowledge, advice, information and support to patients who are referred for breast reconstruction extending this support to their families and friends. .To provide nurse-led support for patients requesting breast reconstruction. Liaise with breast care nurses to ensure patients have access to the provision of breast provisions of breast prosthesis services if required. Provide a service for existing patient self-referral, enabling prompt access to a breast reconstruction clinic. Lead for patient information within breast reconstruction speciality. To actively participate in clinical audit Job description Job responsibilities The post holder should have experience of working with patients who have undergone Breast surgery and have a sound knowledge and understanding of the psychological elements involved in caring for the patients following breast surgery. The post holder will have strong communication links with the Plastic Surgery consultants, the Breast Care team, ard nursing teams and clinic areas and also with the patient and families to support them throughout their decision making process and in the recovery phase. The role of the clinical nurse specialist in breast reconstruction care is multifaceted, incorporating key functions as policy and standard development, practice development, education, research and professional development. To support patients to be partners in their own health care through education, discussion and explanation of care. To provide a point of contact for all patients throughout the breast reconstruction journey and act as a source of information and support. This includes outpatient attendance, inpatient admissions and providing telephone service. The post holder with liaise with the MDT to enable and provide a quality service provision for all patients considering or undergoing breast reconstruction. Work closely with the breast care team and plastic surgeons in facilitating the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients. Provide expert knowledge, advice, information and support to patients who are referred for breast reconstruction extending this support to their families and friends. .To provide nurse-led support for patients requesting breast reconstruction. Liaise with breast care nurses to ensure patients have access to the provision of breast provisions of breast prosthesis services if required. Provide a service for existing patient self-referral, enabling prompt access to a breast reconstruction clinic. Lead for patient information within breast reconstruction speciality. To actively participate in clinical audit Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of working with patients undergoing treatments for breast cancer. Excellent theortical and practical knowledge of caring for patients having surgery /treatment for breast cancer. Experience of working with patients undergoing breast reconstruction. Experience of working with patients having breast reconstruction. Proven ability to work independantly and within wider MDT Experience of working with and developing key performances indicators to evaluate services. Desirable Experience within speciality. Qualifications Essential Registered nurse with recent and relevant clinical experience within plastic speciality. Degree qualification Facilitating learning in clinical practice Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Leadership & Management modules masters Tatooing course. Evidence of further study within speciality or willingness to undertake further study / training where needed. Statutory Registration Essential Registered General Staff Nurse Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Professional and clinical knowledge associated with appropriate training and registration. Ability to work independently but also part of a multidisciplinary team. Able to work flexibly across sites in CDDFT. Able to make and maintain good relationships with medical,nursing and allied health professionals to facilitate effective patient care. Strong commitment to high standards of patient care and active involvement of users in the development of the service. IT skills Desirable Experience of managing a patient caseload Understanding and experience of service improvement. Knowledge of the NHS and wider context Active participant in clinical audit and research. Able to meet the travel requirements of the role Special Requirements Essential Friendly calm and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure and respond to feedback appropriately. Demonstrates flexibility, motivation and initiative. Assertive with an ability to prioritise and work autonomously. Confident, articulate and resourceful. Ability to travel independently to cover multiple bases. Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of working with patients undergoing treatments for breast cancer. Excellent theortical and practical knowledge of caring for patients having surgery /treatment for breast cancer. Experience of working with patients undergoing breast reconstruction. Experience of working with patients having breast reconstruction. Proven ability to work independantly and within wider MDT Experience of working with and developing key performances indicators to evaluate services. Desirable Experience within speciality. Qualifications Essential Registered nurse with recent and relevant clinical experience within plastic speciality. Degree qualification Facilitating learning in clinical practice Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Leadership & Management modules masters Tatooing course. Evidence of further study within speciality or willingness to undertake further study / training where needed. Statutory Registration Essential Registered General Staff Nurse Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Professional and clinical knowledge associated with appropriate training and registration. Ability to work independently but also part of a multidisciplinary team. Able to work flexibly across sites in CDDFT. Able to make and maintain good relationships with medical,nursing and allied health professionals to facilitate effective patient care. Strong commitment to high standards of patient care and active involvement of users in the development of the service. IT skills Desirable Experience of managing a patient caseload Understanding and experience of service improvement. Knowledge of the NHS and wider context Active participant in clinical audit and research. Able to meet the travel requirements of the role Special Requirements Essential Friendly calm and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure and respond to feedback appropriately. Demonstrates flexibility, motivation and initiative. Assertive with an ability to prioritise and work autonomously. Confident, articulate and resourceful. Ability to travel independently to cover multiple bases. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Address University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)