Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist

We're seeking a motivated and dynamic Lead Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist to enhance and drive forward our Breast oncology service. This pivotal role sits at the heart of our cancer pathway--supporting patients throughout their treatment journey, strengthening MDT collaboration, and leading quality-improvement initiatives that improve safety, experience, and outcomes. The successful candidate will work undertake nurse -led clinics including non -medical prescribing if appropriate and work weekday office hours, participate in Breast clinic sessions, and contribute to Acute Oncology Service (AOS) and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) activity as required.

• Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.*

Main duties of the job

Lead, Manage and develop the Breast Oncology nursing service working alongside our Breast Oncologists, Breast CNS teams, and the whole MDT. To provide a specialist nursing service for patients undergoing care and treatment within oncology. Undertake nurse -led clinics including non -medical prescribing if appropriate. To act as an expert resource and facilitator to educate and train. Undertake audit and evaluation and develop policies and procedures as required. To work as an integrated member of the wider cancer nurse specialist team. Demonstrates significant advanced knowledge and skills within speciality and sphere of practice. Take a lead role facilitating the planning and skills within speciality and sphere of practice. Work with adults who have known Breast malignancy. Demonstrates significant advanced knowledge and skills within speciality and sphere of practice. Take a lead role facilitating the planning delivery and evaluation of care pathways for Breast cancer patients. Lead and provide training and education across the organisation in relevant areas of practice

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

09 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-DB8331577

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To develop the Breast Oncology service.

Line manages team members where appropriate including health roster, leave sickness and appraisals.

Lead for service development to improve patient experience in specialist area

Lead for education and training in specialist area.

Works autonomously to manage his/her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

To formulate individualized patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical team considering:

Each patient is placed in the correct treatment protocol

Investigations and treatment are organized as needed

Communications highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. E.g. cancer diagnosis, terminal illness bereavement.

Utilises advanced skills of assessment, interprets complex needs and implements specialist nursing care for patients within the site-specific cancer group and their carers.

To provide support for distressed patients/carers and bereaved relatives and identify individuals at risk and refer to appropriate agencies.

Participate in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements for patients

Maintain and updates patient record and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes.

Enables patient choice and involvement and initiates appropriate action.

Encourage recruitment to clinical trials as appropriate.

Co-ordinates patient journey and liaises across organisations.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Job responsibilities

To develop the Breast Oncology service.

Line manages team members where appropriate including health roster, leave sickness and appraisals.

Lead for service development to improve patient experience in specialist area

Lead for education and training in specialist area.

Works autonomously to manage his/her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

To formulate individualized patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical team considering:

Each patient is placed in the correct treatment protocol

Investigations and treatment are organized as needed

Communications highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. E.g. cancer diagnosis, terminal illness bereavement.

Utilises advanced skills of assessment, interprets complex needs and implements specialist nursing care for patients within the site-specific cancer group and their carers.

To provide support for distressed patients/carers and bereaved relatives and identify individuals at risk and refer to appropriate agencies.

Participate in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements for patients

Maintain and updates patient record and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes.

Enables patient choice and involvement and initiates appropriate action.

Encourage recruitment to clinical trials as appropriate.

Co-ordinates patient journey and liaises across organisations.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• oSignificant demonstrable experience in Cancer/Breast care/Palliative care at a senior level.
• Proven demonstrable experience of handling complex relationships.
• Proven knowledge in specialist area.
• Previous CNS demonstrable experience

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of managing teams.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Post reg. specialist qualification in cancer/palliative care.

Desirable

• Leadership/management training
• Advanced clinical skills module

Aptitude & Attitude

Essential

• Proven leadership: facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Psych level 2 training.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• oSignificant demonstrable experience in Cancer/Breast care/Palliative care at a senior level.
• Proven demonstrable experience of handling complex relationships.
• Proven knowledge in specialist area.
• Previous CNS demonstrable experience

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of managing teams.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Post reg. specialist qualification in cancer/palliative care.

Desirable

• Leadership/management training
• Advanced clinical skills module

Aptitude & Attitude

Essential

• Proven leadership: facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Psych level 2 training.

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 .

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 .

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

To develop the Breast Oncology service.

Line manages team members where appropriate including health roster, leave sickness and appraisals.

Lead for service development to improve patient experience in specialist area

Lead for education and training in specialist area.

Works autonomously to manage his/her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

To formulate individualized patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical team considering:

Each patient is placed in the correct treatment protocol

Investigations and treatment are organized as needed

Communications highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. E.g. cancer diagnosis, terminal illness bereavement.

Utilises advanced skills of assessment, interprets complex needs and implements specialist nursing care for patients within the site-specific cancer group and their carers.

To provide support for distressed patients/carers and bereaved relatives and identify individuals at risk and refer to appropriate agencies.

Participate in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements for patients

Maintain and updates patient record and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes.

Enables patient choice and involvement and initiates appropriate action.

Encourage recruitment to clinical trials as appropriate.

Co-ordinates patient journey and liaises across organisations.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• oSignificant demonstrable experience in Cancer/Breast care/Palliative care at a senior level.
• Proven demonstrable experience of handling complex relationships.
• Proven knowledge in specialist area.
• Previous CNS demonstrable experience

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of managing teams.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Post reg. specialist qualification in cancer/palliative care.

Desirable

• Leadership/management training
• Advanced clinical skills module

Aptitude & Attitude

Essential

• Proven leadership: facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Psych level 2 training.