Job summary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for Trainee or Qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP) to join our dynamic Cardiothoracic team in Brighton. This unique role covers the full cardiac patient journey, from admission to post-operative care and discharge planning.
As an ACP, you will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, patient-centred care in various clinical settings, including admission, theatres, cardiac intensive care, and step-down wards. Your responsibilities will include clinical decision-making, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing care coordination.
This role is perfect for those with a passion for cardiothoracic surgery and acute care. You will work alongside an experienced ACP team, consultants, anaesthetists, specialist nurses, and allied health professionals, with opportunities for leadership, innovation, and professional growth. Trainee ACPs will be supported through an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, while qualified ACPs can lead service improvements and engage in education and research.
Strong communication, critical thinking, and a compassionate approach are essential. Experience in cardiothoracic, surgical, or acute care is desirable but not essential.
Main duties of the job
Trainee ACPs undertake supervised clinical assessments, developing skills to formulate differential diagnoses and management plans for cardiac patients. You will participate in care across the full cardiac pathway, from admission to post-operative care in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and recovery in step-down ward, under expert supervision. Trainees engage in structured placements and academic study as part of a nationally recognised MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. During training, you'll build core competencies in interpreting diagnostics, recognising patient deterioration, and contributing to multidisciplinary decision-making. Trainees also participate in quality improvement, audit, and evidence-based practice, with opportunities to present work at internal and regional events.
Qualified ACPs independently assess, diagnose, and manage complex cardiac conditions across the entire patient pathway. You will deliver expert care in CICU and ward settings, managing patients from admission to discharge, including providing onsite ACP cover overnight in CICU. Qualified ACPs lead ward rounds, apply advanced clinical skills to manage cardiac patients, and interpret a broad range of diagnostics. You will offer clinical leadership, mentor trainees and junior staff, and drive service development through research and audit. ACPs represent the service at local, national, and international forums, promoting innovation and best practice.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of patients with a wide range of cardiac conditions. This includes detailed history taking, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests such as ECGs, blood results, and imaging. You will be expected to formulate differential diagnoses and work closely with medical and surgical colleagues to establish and implement evidence-based clinical management plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Clinical Decision Making:As an integral member of the clinical team, you will play a key role in leading and contributing to decision-making processes across the cardiac pathway. This includes pre-operative preparation, optimisation of patients with complex co-morbidities, managing patients post-operatively in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and supporting recovery on the cardiac step-down ward. You will liaise regularly with the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including consultants, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and specialist nurses to ensure high-quality, coordinated care.
Patient Care:You will deliver high standards of hands-on, holistic care throughout the patient's cardiac journey, from admission and surgery through to discharge planning and follow-up. This includes supporting patients and their families through often complex and emotionally challenging experiences. Your role will focus not only on physical recovery but also on identifying psychosocial needs, providing education, and ensuring continuity of care across all clinical settings.
Advanced Clinical Skills:In this role, you will utilise and continue to develop advanced clinical skills. This includes conducting in-depth physical examinations, managing acutely unwell or deteriorating patients, initiating appropriate investigations and treatment plans, and escalating concerns where necessary. You will also be involved in emergency responses and contribute to timely interventions that support patient stabilisation and recovery.
Education & Leadership:You will be expected to provide supervision, mentorship, and clinical teaching to junior colleagues, students, and new staff members, promoting a positive learning environment. In addition, you will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines, protocols, and pathways. You may be asked to lead or support service improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, efficiency, and staff wellbeing within the cardiothoracic team.
Research & Development:As part of a service committed to innovation and clinical excellence, you will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research, audit, and quality improvement projects within the cardiothoracic specialty. You will support the evaluation and integration of evidence-based practice into daily care and play a role in the development of new clinical strategies, pathways, and service models. There will be opportunities to disseminate your work through internal and external forums, with the potential to present at national and international conferenceshighlighting the impact of your practice and raising the profile of the service on a wider stage.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of patients with a wide range of cardiac conditions. This includes detailed history taking, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests such as ECGs, blood results, and imaging. You will be expected to formulate differential diagnoses and work closely with medical and surgical colleagues to establish and implement evidence-based clinical management plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Clinical Decision Making:As an integral member of the clinical team, you will play a key role in leading and contributing to decision-making processes across the cardiac pathway. This includes pre-operative preparation, optimisation of patients with complex co-morbidities, managing patients post-operatively in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and supporting recovery on the cardiac step-down ward. You will liaise regularly with the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including consultants, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and specialist nurses to ensure high-quality, coordinated care.
Patient Care:You will deliver high standards of hands-on, holistic care throughout the patient's cardiac journey, from admission and surgery through to discharge planning and follow-up. This includes supporting patients and their families through often complex and emotionally challenging experiences. Your role will focus not only on physical recovery but also on identifying psychosocial needs, providing education, and ensuring continuity of care across all clinical settings.
Advanced Clinical Skills:In this role, you will utilise and continue to develop advanced clinical skills. This includes conducting in-depth physical examinations, managing acutely unwell or deteriorating patients, initiating appropriate investigations and treatment plans, and escalating concerns where necessary. You will also be involved in emergency responses and contribute to timely interventions that support patient stabilisation and recovery.
Education & Leadership:You will be expected to provide supervision, mentorship, and clinical teaching to junior colleagues, students, and new staff members, promoting a positive learning environment. In addition, you will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines, protocols, and pathways. You may be asked to lead or support service improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, efficiency, and staff wellbeing within the cardiothoracic team.
Research & Development:As part of a service committed to innovation and clinical excellence, you will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research, audit, and quality improvement projects within the cardiothoracic specialty. You will support the evaluation and integration of evidence-based practice into daily care and play a role in the development of new clinical strategies, pathways, and service models. There will be opportunities to disseminate your work through internal and external forums, with the potential to present at national and international conferenceshighlighting the impact of your practice and raising the profile of the service on a wider stage.
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable
Essential
- Current NMC/HCPC qualification
- Willing to undertake MSc Advanced Clinical Practice/Has undertaken MSc
- Significant post registration experience- at least 3 years
- Knowledge of Advanced Clinical Practice/ 4 pillars/ National frameworks
- Degree/evidence of recent studies at level 6
- Experience at working at a senior level within own speciality
Desirable
- Completed Advanced Clinical Assessment Module/Independent Prescribing at Level 7
- Experience in Cardiothoracic/Cardiac surgery/ITU or Acute care
- Teaching and leadership skills/experience
- Experience in conducting audits/research
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable
Essential
- Current NMC/HCPC qualification
- Willing to undertake MSc Advanced Clinical Practice/Has undertaken MSc
- Significant post registration experience- at least 3 years
- Knowledge of Advanced Clinical Practice/ 4 pillars/ National frameworks
- Degree/evidence of recent studies at level 6
- Experience at working at a senior level within own speciality
Desirable
- Completed Advanced Clinical Assessment Module/Independent Prescribing at Level 7
- Experience in Cardiothoracic/Cardiac surgery/ITU or Acute care
- Teaching and leadership skills/experience
- Experience in conducting audits/research
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
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.
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.
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).
