Job Description
The Clinical Nurse Specialist plays a key role in delivering high-quality patient care in the breast health department. This specialist nurse will assess, plan, and evaluate care for patients with breast-related concerns.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Assessing and managing patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease, and other related conditions to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.
2. Developing personalized care plans that integrate physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of care.
3. Providing direct clinical care, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care.
4. Monitoring patients throughout their treatment journey and adjusting care plans as necessary based on individual needs.
5. Acting as a point of contact for patient concerns and queries, providing guidance and emotional support.
6. Ensuring patients receive necessary information to make informed decisions about their care, including options such as breast reconstruction and other available treatments.
7. Maintaining accurate and legible records.
8. Leading and facilitating breast care education programs and support groups for patients and their families.
9. Providing counseling and emotional support for patients dealing with breast cancer diagnoses, treatment challenges, and survivorship.
10. Collaborating with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
11. Coordinating patient care across various services to ensure seamless patient experience.
12. Serving as a clinical resource and mentor for nursing staff, providing expertise on breast care and complex patient management.
13. Facilitating educational sessions and training for nursing and medical staff on latest best practices and developments in breast care.
14. Contributing to the development of protocols, guidelines, and policies to enhance care provided to breast patients.
15. Representing the specialist service at local, national, and international forums as required.
16. Supporting and enhancing generalist nursing/midwifery practice using specialist knowledge.
17. Participating in and contributing to clinical research projects related to breast care and oncology nursing.
18. Identifying opportunities for quality improvement within the breast care service and helping implement initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
19. Implementing evidence-based nursing practice, focusing on pathway approaches that ensure high standards of care based on latest research and clinical findings.