Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) for Gynaecology

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advanced Clinical Practice

1.0 Plan and manage own workload in accordance with service requirements, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the needs of patients.

1.1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the broadened level of responsibility and autonomy of the ACP role as well as recognising and practicing within individual limits.

1.2 Be an expert practitioner and clinical role model in the field of oncology, with specific expertise in clinical research and the delivery of protocol defined treatments, patient management and monitoring.

1.3 Be an advocate and role model for developing and delivering care that is responsive to changing requirements, informed by an understanding of local population health needs, agencies and networks.

1.4 Use advanced clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients. This includes obtaining informed consent, history taking, screening, systematic physical examination, requisition and interpretation of appropriate clinical investigations and formulation of clinical management plans.

1.5 To consent patients for treatment and procedures as per hospital policy

1.6 Use expertise and decisionmaking skills to inform clinical reasoning for differentiated and undifferentiated presentations. Synthesise information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence based judgements and/or diagnosis.

1.7 Prescribe licenced and non-licenced drugs within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks. Prescribe appropriate blood products as per Trust policy.

1.8 Have advanced resuscitation skills and support the inter-professional team during and after an emergency event and support emergency scenario training.

1.9 Liaise with the wider inter-professional teams (i.e. palliative care, critical care, junior Drs on call and out of hours team) regarding the management of patients under their care

1.10 Accept referrals from other health care professionals and refer patients directly to other specialties within the appropriate primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.

1.11 Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their significant others, this may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and prognosis.

1.12 Demonstrate effective communication skills, supporting patients and relatives in decision making, planning care or seeking to make positive health related lifestyle changes.

1.13 Work collaboratively with an appropriate range of multi-agency and multi-professional resources, developing, maintaining and evaluating links to manage risk and issues across organisations and settings.

1.14 Prepare accurate and concise records and reports, both verbal and written. Communicate with the patients referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.

1.15 Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse incident reporting and the investigation and the management of complaints as appropriate.

1.16 Act on professional judgement about when to seek help, demonstrating critical reflection on own practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change.

1.17 Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

2.1 Contribute as appropriate to the development of strategies within the Division and wider Trust.

2.2 Be a visible role model for advanced clinical practice in research demonstrating a person-centred approach to service delivery and development within the Trust and externally at a National & International level.

2.3 Promote the role of advanced clinical practitioner in both locally, nationally and internationally.

2.4 Pro-actively initiate and develop effective relationships to empower and inspire staff members, to promote productive working and enhance patient care.

2.5 Provide professional, clinical and academic leadership and supervision to clinical research nurses and other professionals as appropriate within the scope of the role

2.6 Lead on clinical audit, including service evaluation and clinical service re-design including evaluation of own practice, demonstrating the impact of advanced practice on service function and effectiveness, (e.g. outcomes of care, experience and safety)

2.7 Critically apply advanced clinical expertise to provide consultancy across professional and service boundaries, such as the development of clinical protocols, standards and guidelines to enhance quality and promote sharing and adoption of best practice.

2.8 Demonstrate excellent leadership skills by identifying, leading and implementing change required for service improvement, risk management, governance and quality.

2.9 Contribute to local, regional and national clinical networks including specialty groups and key stakeholders.

2.10 Continually develop practice in response to changing population health and research needs; engaging in horizon scanning for future developments.

2.11 Actively seek feedback and involvement from patients, families and carers by engaging with patient participation and involvement (PPI) groups in all aspects of patient care and research service delivery i.e. Focus groups

2.12 Demonstrate resilience and determination in managing situations which are complex or unpredictable.

2.13 Demonstrate receptiveness to challenge and preparedness to constructively challenge others, escalating concerns that affect individuals, families, carers, communities and colleagues safety and well-being when necessary.

EDUCATION

3.0 Critically assess and identify own learning and development needs in line with service requirements. Negotiate an annual personal development plan that reflects the breadth of ongoing professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice, and undertake professional development accordingly.

3.1 Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting to maximise clinical skills and knowledge. Participate in the on-going advanced clinical practice training and education programme both within the organisation and beyond e.g. national/ international conferences

3.2 Promote and contribute to a culture of organisational learning to inspire future and existing staff.

3.3 Actively engage in peer review to inform own and others practice, formulating and implementing strategies to act on learning and make improvements

3.4 Undergo regular clinical supervision with colleagues from within the organisation e.g. a named mentor from the medical team, as well as seek mentorship externally and coaching where applicable.

3.5 Identify further developmental needs for individuals and the wider team and supporting them to address these.

3.6 Act as an educator, supervisor, coach and mentor, seeking to instil and develop the confidence and skill of others

3.7 Support, supervise and assess clinical competencies of nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary/research teams as appropriate

RESEARCH

4.0 Engage in research activity, adhering to good research practice guidance, so that evidence based strategies are developed and applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity and value for money.

4.1 Contribute to the delivery of the Trust strategic vision for academic nursing and AHP roles.

4.2 Disseminate best practice/research findings and quality improvement projects through appropriate media. For example via local team and/or national/international peer reviewed publications.

4.3 Evaluate and audit own and others clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then acting on findings

4.4 Critically appraise and synthesise the outcome of relevant research, evaluation and audit, using the results to underpin own practice, and to inform that of others.

4.5 Use a critical approach to identify gaps in the evidence base and its applications to practice, alerting appropriate individuals and organisations to these and how they might be addresses in a safe and pragmatic way.

4.6 Actively identify potential need for further research to strengthen evidence for best practice. This may involve acting as an educator, leader, innovator and contributor to research activity and/or applying for research funding.

4.7 Facilitate collaborative links between clinical practice and research through proactive engagement, networking and close working relationships with academics, clinical and other researchers

4.8 To be recognised and act as an expert in the field of clinical research providing consultancy and expert advice to other professionals particularly those working in the field of advanced clinical practice within clinical research.

PROFESSIONAL

5.0 Maintain responsibility for professional registration and practice through continuing personal development.

5.1 Maintain appropriate competencies.

5.2 Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour consistent with Trust values and regulations set within the relevant professional bodies.

5.3 Actively contribute to the growing knowledge base of oncology research and acute care nursing practice through publications and participation in local, national and international conferences.

5.4 Participate in strategic review meetings with senior colleagues as appropriate.

5.5 Maintain clinical competence through regular peer review of evidence based practice with medical consultant supervisor or by undertaking revalidation processes. Demonstrate clinical and professional development and evidence this in a personal portfolio.

** See attachment for full details **

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse -Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• MSc Advanced Clinical Practice to include physical examination skills, advanced assessment: diagnostics and clinical reasoning, pathophysiology, care of the acutely ill adult, Non-medical prescribing, and practice portfolio
• Independent non-medical prescriber

Desirable

• Advanced Life Support Course
• Coaching
• Leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years post registration experience in oncology.
• Minimum of 2 years experience as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)
• Experience of working autonomously and as part of a team
• Experience of assessing and managing acute medical problems
• Experience of assessing and caring for Gynaecological Oncology patients and / or who have palliative care needs
• Experience of managing a variety of medical problems, for example: Oncology, Haematology, General medicine, Critical Care & Acute Care
• Ability to work across professional boundaries e.g. experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of working with patients with bowel obstruction
• Experience of working with patients who receive parenteral nutrition
• Experience in undertaking audit and management of change in practice related to audit results

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication and leadership skills: interpersonal, written and verbal
• Confidence to adapt to an evolving and changing service
• Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
• Good time management, organisational skills and ability to prioritise a busy/ unpredictable workload
• Well developed IT skills/ word processing/ data collection/ internet skills
• Committed to professional development

Desirable

• Leadership and Management skills
• Innovative and motivated
• Ability to think strategically in relation to long-term service development
• Presentation skills
• Reflective practitioner
• Evidence of significant involvement in change management and service development

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of evidence-based practice
• Working knowledge of clinical governance
• Ability to use research findings in clinical practice
• Knowledge of national standards and policy that inform best practice (for example: NICE/ Department of Health guidelines)
• Appreciate the accountability associated with advanced clinical roles

Desirable

• Experience of policy and procedure writing
• Understanding of the Modernisation agenda and NHS structures
• Experience of policy and procedure writing

VALUES

Essential

• Committed and flexible with shift patterns and availability

Desirable

• Calm and conscientious nature

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 (opens in a new window).