Job overview

The Breast Cancer Unit is the largest clinical unit at The Royal Marsden, delivering the full range of diagnostic and treatment services at the Chelsea and Sutton sites and an oncology service at Kingston Hospital. Referrals are received to the unit in a variety of ways including directly from GPs through our Rapid Diagnostic and Assessment Centre (RDAC), from local screening services and from other centres and hospitals requesting second opinions and transfers of care. The Breast Unit aims to deliver the latest high-quality treatment for all stages of breast cancer, and to be at the forefront of international research into the development of new treatments. 
The unit has a large portfolio of clinical trials and an international reputation for clinical breast cancer research including in particular targeted new drug development and innovative radiotherapy techniques. Close links with The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are well established with a number of joint appointments between the two organisations leading to the Breast Unit being at the forefront of translational research. The Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research incorporates pioneering research, drawing upon new technological advances to allow much more rapid and in-depth analysis of our patients’ disease. The centre has a particular focus on identifying molecular differences between tumours leading to optimal treatment of individual breast cancer patients. 

Main duties of the job

•    To provide advice on medical and clinical oncology aspects of treatment and care for colleagues in other specialties within The Royal Marsden. 
•    To attend the unit specific MDTs. 
•    To participate in and support the multidisciplinary care team which includes Medical Oncologists, Clinical Oncologists, Surgeons, the relevant team, Specialist Nursing Staff, Therapists, Dietician, Social worker, Palliative Care and Counselling for patients and families.
•    The post holder will be expected to participate fully in Peer Review preparation and visits, and Peer Review required Audits.
•    The post holder will contribute to the development of the departmental objectives and business plan and would manage resources within the approved plan. The consultant would be part of the Cancer Services Division and would be accountable to the Divisional Chief Medical Officer.
•    The post holder will be expected to play an active part in the management and administration of the clinical service. 
•    The post holder will be expected to work closely with consultant colleagues in other oncology services in South West London and RM Partners and participate in related meetings. 
•    To work within the department to seek ways of improving the efficiency of the service without sacrificing quality.
•    To contribute to the risk management of the department and contribute the development and maintenance of best clinical practice through Clinical Governance. 

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden is a world leader in cancer research, treatment and education. Together with our academic partner, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), we are the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe and the only National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre specialising in cancer in the UK.

Our mission is to continue to make a national and international contribution to cancer research and treatment, so that more people are cured and quality of life is improved for those with cancer. The Royal Marsden therefore plays an important role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge treatment.

The Trust’s annual budget is £360 million and we employ over 3,500 staff, including 335 medical staff, across two sites located in Chelsea and Sutton (Surrey). Over 50,000 patients attend The Royal Marsden each year. We provide community services across the Borough of Sutton. We have a Chemotherapy Medical Daycare Unit at Kingston Hospital.

We have a reputation for delivering high quality performance. We were ranked joint first in the CQC national inpatient survey results, above average in national cancer patient experience survey and ranked first amongst teaching hospitals in the UK for our staff survey results.