Job summary
The Ridge PCN are looking for a compassionate and confident Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to play a key role in supporting the health and wellbeing of residents living in care homes.
Interviews will be taking place 31st March 2026.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will bring your advanced clinical skills, warm communication style, and independent prescribing expertise to help residents stay well, avoid unnecessary hospital visits, and feel cared for. Working closely with GPs, community teams, and care home staff, you will become a familiar face in the homes you support. Working within the scope of your practice, you will assess, diagnose, prescribe, and plan care.
The role is flexible in terms of hours (up to 25 hours per week).
About us
About The Ridge PCN
The Ridge Primary Care Network (PCN) is a semi-rural network established in 2019, serving a population of approximately 36,000 patients across four GP surgeries: Bearsted Medical Practice, Len Valley Practice, Sutton Valence Group Practice, and The Orchard Surgery in Langley. Our PCN has a strong record of collaboration and innovation, successfully delivering a range of services tailored to the needs of our local community. We are supported by an active and engaged Board and benefit from excellent patient participation, helping us to shape and improve services in line with what matters most to our population. A key area of focus for The Ridge PCN is supporting our frail population. We are committed to ensuring that these patients receive high-quality, proactive care that promotes independence, dignity, and improved outcomes.
About West Kent Primary Care
West Kent Primary Care is an innovative GP Federation whose shareholders include all fifty practices in West Kent, covering 500,000 patients. Within this, the practices are divided into 9 Primary Care Networks (PCN). We are made up of a core operations team, a PCN based workforce including clinical and non-clinical staff and a Board of Executive Directors (four local GPs and twelve PCN clinical directors). The federation also offers a variety of services including the Community Diabetes Service, Post Covid Assessment Service, and a Frailty Service.
West Kent Primary Care are the employer for the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical practice
- Provide
autonomous clinical assessment, diagnosis, prescribing, and management of
residents in care homes, including those with complex, acute, chronic, frailtyrelated, or undifferentiated
presentations.
- Lead
proactive care home ward rounds, reviewing routine followups, postdischarge
cases, longterm conditions, and residents identified as at risk of
deterioration.
- Creating and
reviewing personalised care plans, including Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessments (CGA) and ReSPECT discussions in collaboration with MDT and
families.
- Work as part
of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver safe and high-quality care.
- Conduct clinical practice at an advanced level using expert
clinical skills, critical judgements & knowledge to deliver appropriate and
safe care.
- Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate
treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with acute, long term
and complex health needs.
- Interpret investigation findings to determine effective treatment
plans & discuss with GPs where a second opinion is required.
- Proactively identify, diagnose, and manage treatment plans for
patients at risk of developing a long-term condition, using both
non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments.
- Co-ordinate the planning and delivery of care ensuring patients
and carers or relatives are involved where required. Actively take a
personalised care approach and population centre care approach to enable shared
decision making.
- Prescribing and reviewing medication that is appropriate for
patient needs and in accordance with latest evidence-based practice, national
and practice protocols and within the scope of qualified practice.
- Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions, including drug
and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan.
- Request diagnostic investigations and interpret within agreed
protocols e.g. x-ray, blood tests, scans, etc.
- Refer patients to other members of the multi-disciplinary practice
teams, secondary care organisations, and other organisations, as necessary.
- The postholder has a duty to safeguard and
promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and children.
Leadership and management personal and people development
- Takes responsibility for own learning and performance including
participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model.
- Supports staff development to maximise potential and support
practice development.
- Critically evaluates and reviews innovations and developments that
are relevant to clinical practice.
- Contributes to the development of local guidelines, protocols, and
standards.
- Maintains effective communication with those responsible for the
overall commissioning and procurement process.
- Promotes the role of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner in general
practicecompleting relevant training to provide multi-professional
clinical practice and CPD supervision to other roles within primary care.
- Works as an effective and responsible team member, supporting
others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
Education
- Undertakes mentorship for more junior staff, assessing competence
against set standards.
- Use evidence-based strategies to improve and enhance the quality
of patient care.
- Assesses own learning needs and undertakes learning as appropriate.
- Provides an educational role to patients, carers, families, and
colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.
Research
- Critically
engage in research activity and use evidence-based strategies to improve and
enhance the quality of patient care.
- Participates in clinical governance activity and contributes to
the improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management
and the Quality and Outcomes Framework
- Participates in investigation of incidents and events as required.
- Identifies, applies, and disseminates research findings relating
to own practice.
- Collects data for audit purposes and uses clinical audit to
monitor quality in the service and implements change according to findings.
- Participates in clinical trials and equipment testing.
Quality
Under supervision and support of GPs in the practice, the
post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practices, and will:
- Participate in clinical governance activity and contribute to the
improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management and
the Quality and Outcomes Framework
- Alerts other team members to concerns about risk, quality, and
safety.
- Participates in investigation of incidents and events as required.
- Contributes to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own
and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the
teams performance.
- Works effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet
patients needs.
- Effectively manages own time, workload, and resources.
- Delivery of care in line with NSF, NICE guidelines, and
evidence-based care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical practice
- Provide
autonomous clinical assessment, diagnosis, prescribing, and management of
residents in care homes, including those with complex, acute, chronic, frailtyrelated, or undifferentiated
presentations.
- Lead
proactive care home ward rounds, reviewing routine followups, postdischarge
cases, longterm conditions, and residents identified as at risk of
deterioration.
- Creating and
reviewing personalised care plans, including Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessments (CGA) and ReSPECT discussions in collaboration with MDT and
families.
- Work as part
of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver safe and high-quality care.
- Conduct clinical practice at an advanced level using expert
clinical skills, critical judgements & knowledge to deliver appropriate and
safe care.
- Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate
treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with acute, long term
and complex health needs.
- Interpret investigation findings to determine effective treatment
plans & discuss with GPs where a second opinion is required.
- Proactively identify, diagnose, and manage treatment plans for
patients at risk of developing a long-term condition, using both
non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments.
- Co-ordinate the planning and delivery of care ensuring patients
and carers or relatives are involved where required. Actively take a
personalised care approach and population centre care approach to enable shared
decision making.
- Prescribing and reviewing medication that is appropriate for
patient needs and in accordance with latest evidence-based practice, national
and practice protocols and within the scope of qualified practice.
- Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions, including drug
and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan.
- Request diagnostic investigations and interpret within agreed
protocols e.g. x-ray, blood tests, scans, etc.
- Refer patients to other members of the multi-disciplinary practice
teams, secondary care organisations, and other organisations, as necessary.
- The postholder has a duty to safeguard and
promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and children.
Leadership and management personal and people development
- Takes responsibility for own learning and performance including
participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model.
- Supports staff development to maximise potential and support
practice development.
- Critically evaluates and reviews innovations and developments that
are relevant to clinical practice.
- Contributes to the development of local guidelines, protocols, and
standards.
- Maintains effective communication with those responsible for the
overall commissioning and procurement process.
- Promotes the role of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner in general
practicecompleting relevant training to provide multi-professional
clinical practice and CPD supervision to other roles within primary care.
- Works as an effective and responsible team member, supporting
others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
Education
- Undertakes mentorship for more junior staff, assessing competence
against set standards.
- Use evidence-based strategies to improve and enhance the quality
of patient care.
- Assesses own learning needs and undertakes learning as appropriate.
- Provides an educational role to patients, carers, families, and
colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.
Research
- Critically
engage in research activity and use evidence-based strategies to improve and
enhance the quality of patient care.
- Participates in clinical governance activity and contributes to
the improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management
and the Quality and Outcomes Framework
- Participates in investigation of incidents and events as required.
- Identifies, applies, and disseminates research findings relating
to own practice.
- Collects data for audit purposes and uses clinical audit to
monitor quality in the service and implements change according to findings.
- Participates in clinical trials and equipment testing.
Quality
Under supervision and support of GPs in the practice, the
post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practices, and will:
- Participate in clinical governance activity and contribute to the
improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management and
the Quality and Outcomes Framework
- Alerts other team members to concerns about risk, quality, and
safety.
- Participates in investigation of incidents and events as required.
- Contributes to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own
and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the
teams performance.
- Works effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet
patients needs.
- Effectively manages own time, workload, and resources.
- Delivery of care in line with NSF, NICE guidelines, and
evidence-based care
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Clinical leadership skills
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Communication of difficult messages to patients and families
- Negotiation and conflict management skills
- Change management.
- Teaching and mentorship within a clinical setting
- Resource management
Other
Essential
- Self-directed practitioner
- Highly motivated
- Flexibility
- Enthusiasm
- Collaborator
- You will be required to travel independently between care homes and PCN sites, therefore having access to your own reliable transport is essential. A full, clean UK driving licence (or equivalent) is required to safely and efficiently perform the duties of the role.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree level in the relevant area of expertise
- For Advanced Clinical Practitioner Nurses only, have either graduated from a Centre for Advancing Practice accredited MSc advanced practice programme or completed the Centres ePortfolio (supported) Route.
- MSc in advanced practice or equivalent accreditation
- Independent prescribing qualification
Desirable
- Mentor/teaching qualification.
- Clinical supervision training and experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience
- Recent primary or community experience
- Management of minor illness, minor ailments, and injuries
- Triage
- Compiling protocols and clinical guidelines
- Clinical Leadership
- Audit
- Research
Desirable
- Project management
- Health-needs assessment
Knowledge
Essential
- A clear understanding of the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/Multi-professional-framework-for-advanced-practice-in-England--Edition-2025.pdf)
- Advanced clinical practice skills
- Clinical examination skills
- Accountability of own role and other roles
- Management of patients with long-term conditions
- Management of patients with complex needs
- Local plan and national health policy
- Wider health economy
- Clinical governance issues in primary care
- Patient group directions and associated policy
- Knowledge/experience in general practice/elderly care or palliative care
Desirable
- Able to identify determinants on health in the area.
- Knowledge of public health issues in the area
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Clinical leadership skills
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Communication of difficult messages to patients and families
- Negotiation and conflict management skills
- Change management.
- Teaching and mentorship within a clinical setting
- Resource management
Other
Essential
- Self-directed practitioner
- Highly motivated
- Flexibility
- Enthusiasm
- Collaborator
- You will be required to travel independently between care homes and PCN sites, therefore having access to your own reliable transport is essential. A full, clean UK driving licence (or equivalent) is required to safely and efficiently perform the duties of the role.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree level in the relevant area of expertise
- For Advanced Clinical Practitioner Nurses only, have either graduated from a Centre for Advancing Practice accredited MSc advanced practice programme or completed the Centres ePortfolio (supported) Route.
- MSc in advanced practice or equivalent accreditation
- Independent prescribing qualification
Desirable
- Mentor/teaching qualification.
- Clinical supervision training and experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience
- Recent primary or community experience
- Management of minor illness, minor ailments, and injuries
- Triage
- Compiling protocols and clinical guidelines
- Clinical Leadership
- Audit
- Research
Desirable
- Project management
- Health-needs assessment
Knowledge
Essential
- A clear understanding of the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/Multi-professional-framework-for-advanced-practice-in-England--Edition-2025.pdf)
- Advanced clinical practice skills
- Clinical examination skills
- Accountability of own role and other roles
- Management of patients with long-term conditions
- Management of patients with complex needs
- Local plan and national health policy
- Wider health economy
- Clinical governance issues in primary care
- Patient group directions and associated policy
- Knowledge/experience in general practice/elderly care or palliative care
Desirable
- Able to identify determinants on health in the area.
- Knowledge of public health issues in the area
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
