Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Acute Medicine

Job overview

An exciting career opportunity has arisen in our Acute Medical Unit within the Emergency Division at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Band 8a).

The role provides specialist assessment and management of patients in acute medicine under the care of a dynamic and supportive Consultant body. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop new clinical skills and knowledge.

Successful candidates should have a friendly, compassionate and sensitive manner with a genuine desire and passion to help people. As this is a challenging role you must have the ability to demonstrate patience and empathy, with a good range of clinical skills, inspiring confidence and trust to all patients.

Main duties of the job

The post-holders will exercise advanced clinical skills, levels of judgement, discretion and decision-making in acute medical care, demonstrated through, and supported by, professional portfolio evidence.

You will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary Acute Medicine team and allied specialties to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of accessible, high-quality acute medical care at Warwick Hospital.

Clinical duties will include a combination of shifts in Ambulatory Emergency Care (AEC), ward rounds on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), Medical Short Saty Unit (MSSU) and work alongside the medical on-call team in the Emergency Department (ED).

Regular evening work, weekend and bank holiday working is required.

During winter months and at other times of high demand, the post-holder will provide medical care to and expedite discharge of patients autonomously and through nurse-led discharge process.

Approximately 20% of the role will be designated to the 4 pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice including the ongoing development of innovative practice, service improvement and standards of care.

You will have a critical role in new processes to improve patient flow and rapid streaming of medical referrals to the most appropriate assessment area, including 7 day working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The ACP will assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment and interventions, to ensure a high quality, evidence-based care is provided.

Following appropriate training undertake the role of an independent and supplementary Non-Medical prescriber, prescribing within their scope of practice.

The ACP will support, advise and guide the named nurse and work alongside multi-disciplinary teams to provide a seamless service.

Co-ordinate, plan, lead and take an active part in the on call/standby service, supporting all members of staff.

Provide ongoing support, briefing/debriefing sessions for all staff.

Measurable Result Areas

The post holder is accountable for the direct delivery of service as part of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Emergency Division, and as a part of this maybe required to support care in the acute setting.

The post holder will facilitate the development and practice of evidence-based care within Warwickshire in line with National guidance.

Contribute to the strategic development and direction of care within Warwickshire and the West Midlands in line with local and national targets.

Have an ambassadorial role outside of Warwickshire.

Delegation within the team to provide a safe service, taking account of skill mix, staffing levels and care needs.

The post holder will develop and implement policies and procedures and ensure standardised competency-based training for team members and other services.

The post holder will assume delegated budgetary management for the service. Act as an authorised signatory for the team.

To ensure the capability, conduct and performance of every member of staff is constantly assessed and appropriate action is taken to address short falls and to ensure that sickness absence is managed and appropriate action is taken to address both short and long term absence.

To ensure that the philosophy and best practise for ‘Improving Working Lives’ are adopted, openly discussed, implemented and action taken.

To ensure that processes exist for effectively communicating and supporting all staff involved in care, irrespective of working pattern.

To be responsible for maintaining and improving own professional knowledge and competence in accordance with NMC Revalidation process.

To keep up to date with relevant developments, sharing and disseminating information.

To contribute to and participate in, clinical supervision of team members.

To act as an assessor/supervisor of pre/post registration of nursing and medical staff; including the development of resource materials related to care of CYP within a specialist caseload.

Communications and Working Relationships

Demonstrates effective use of advance communication skills when providing complex, sensitive information e.g.; breaking bad news.

Communicates effectively with a wide range of people consistent with their level of understanding, culture and background and their preferred ways of communication.

Demonstrate effective communication skills within the wider MDT including local and tertiary centres, to be able to participate in complex management plans and advocate on behalf of the patient and family.