Job summary
Are you prepared to lead, innovate, and deliver exceptional care within a dynamic clinical environment, including our onsite Urgent Care Centre (UCC), Children's Emergency Department (CED), and Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)?
WHTHT is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioner to join our team. In this role, you will be instrumental in the assessment and management of acutely unwell or injured children, working across the four pillars of advanced practice:
Clinical - conducting autonomous assessments, diagnosing, treating, and planning discharges.
Leadership - driving service improvements and shaping paediatric care pathways.
Education - supporting trainee clinicians, students, and newly qualified nursing staff, as well as upskilling existing team members.
Research & Development - leading audits, quality improvement projects, and research activities, and contributing to evidence-based practice.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal skills, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a professional demeanour. You should be capable of prioritising and managing your workload effectively, even in high-pressure situations. Additionally, the successful applicant will collaborate with internal and external partners, including medical and nursing teams, allied health professionals, social care, and urgent care providers.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will practice as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner across the Children's Emergency Department (CED), co-located Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), and the Trust-led Urgent Care Centre (UCC).
They will be an experienced healthcare professional with considerable expertise in paediatrics and will have completed an MSc in Paediatric Advanced Practice, with demonstrable competence in accordance with the Health Education England (HEE) national framework for advanced clinical practice.
Advanced Clinical Practitioners are required to operate across the four pillars of advanced practice; this role will be divided as follows:
o 80% clinical responsibilities
o 20% non-clinical activities, including education of self and others, research and development, and service improvement.
Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioners complement the nursing and medical teams. They are responsible for assessing and managing children who are injured, unwell, or deteriorating. They will work with a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, employing specialist knowledge and skills to provide independent assessments, clinical examinations, diagnoses, clinical decision-making, and care planning. Additionally, they will contribute to health promotion and ensure the safe admission of patients.
Shifts are scheduled from 07:30 to 20:00 or 10:00 to 22:30, with potential for expansion as the service develops. All roles will be considered for flexible working arrangements.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
The following clinical responsibilities are expected to be developed within this role. The Paediatric ACP will collaborate closely with Paediatric and Emergency Department Consultants, ensuring timely communication regarding complex cases or difficulties. The ACP will receive strong support from the medical team and Consultants and will be encouraged to work within their competencies, seeking advice promptly when necessary.
Leadership and Management
Support the development of an effective workplace culture, aiming to provide person-centred, safe, and effective care. This will be achieved through self-awareness, leadership, active learning, continuous professional development, improvement, and innovation, serving as a role model for all staff.
Initiate, manage, and drive practice improvements to enhance patient care in alignment with current Trust and local programmes, utilising the four pillars of advanced practice.
Collaborate with clinical and leadership teams to develop new and improved processes and pathways, with the aim of streamlining patient flow and care procedures.
Education
Support in the design and delivery of education and training programmes for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders involved in child care.
Act as an expert practitioner, fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
Provide a supportive environment for all staff, including pre-registration students, promoting learning and professional growth. This will involve liaising with education providers and their tutorial staff.
Research
Identify potential areas for research and clinical audit, working collaboratively with research and audit teams.
Analyse findings from audits and research, interpreting results to inform and implement practice improvements.
Prepare and present reports on audit and research activities to multidisciplinary and corporate teams.
Strategic Planning
Contribute to the delivery of the Trusts strategic objectives.
Participate as a member of the senior team to promote the effective and efficient delivery of advanced paediatric care within the Trust.
Attend strategic planning meetings to support the evolution and development of the ACP role within the organisation.
Contribute to the ongoing development of future expert roles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
The following clinical responsibilities are expected to be developed within this role. The Paediatric ACP will collaborate closely with Paediatric and Emergency Department Consultants, ensuring timely communication regarding complex cases or difficulties. The ACP will receive strong support from the medical team and Consultants and will be encouraged to work within their competencies, seeking advice promptly when necessary.
Leadership and Management
Support the development of an effective workplace culture, aiming to provide person-centred, safe, and effective care. This will be achieved through self-awareness, leadership, active learning, continuous professional development, improvement, and innovation, serving as a role model for all staff.
Initiate, manage, and drive practice improvements to enhance patient care in alignment with current Trust and local programmes, utilising the four pillars of advanced practice.
Collaborate with clinical and leadership teams to develop new and improved processes and pathways, with the aim of streamlining patient flow and care procedures.
Education
Support in the design and delivery of education and training programmes for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders involved in child care.
Act as an expert practitioner, fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
Provide a supportive environment for all staff, including pre-registration students, promoting learning and professional growth. This will involve liaising with education providers and their tutorial staff.
Research
Identify potential areas for research and clinical audit, working collaboratively with research and audit teams.
Analyse findings from audits and research, interpreting results to inform and implement practice improvements.
Prepare and present reports on audit and research activities to multidisciplinary and corporate teams.
Strategic Planning
Contribute to the delivery of the Trusts strategic objectives.
Participate as a member of the senior team to promote the effective and efficient delivery of advanced paediatric care within the Trust.
Attend strategic planning meetings to support the evolution and development of the ACP role within the organisation.
Contribute to the ongoing development of future expert roles.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Registered with relevant professional body
- MSc in Advanced Practice
- Non-medical prescriber
- APLS Provider
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of Paediatric emergency care
Desirable
- Working knowledge of clinical governance
- Safeguarding Children experience & sound working knowledge
Experience
Essential
- Competent speciality experience
- Evidence of good leadership skills
Desirable
- Undertaken a service or quality improvement
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Registered with relevant professional body
- MSc in Advanced Practice
- Non-medical prescriber
- APLS Provider
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of Paediatric emergency care
Desirable
- Working knowledge of clinical governance
- Safeguarding Children experience & sound working knowledge
Experience
Essential
- Competent speciality experience
- Evidence of good leadership skills
Desirable
- Undertaken a service or quality improvement
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).
