Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK seeks an Advanced Clinical Practitioner Lead to enhance services within the Acute Care Team. This role involves providing leadership, developing clinical standards, and improving patient outcomes through advanced expertise in acute care. Applicants must have a Master's level Advanced Clinical Practice Pathway and meet various essential and desirable criteria. The organization promotes a supportive work environment and values diverse backgrounds in its workforce.

Qualifications

• 3+ years recent experience in an acute hospital setting.
• Advanced judgement in complex medical conditions.
• Strong ability to lead teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and managerial support to the Acute Care Team.
• Facilitate early admissions to critical care.
• Develop and deliver the AIM course with the resuscitation team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Clinical expertise

Decision-making

Quality Improvement (QI)

Education

Advanced Clinical Practice Pathway (Masters level)

Professional registration with the NMC or HCPC

Job description

About the Role

As a key member of the Acute Care Team, the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Lead works closely with the Acute Care Team Nurse Consultant, the Critical Care Triumvirate, senior nurses, medics and Trust-wide patient safety and governance groups. The post holder will develop and deliver outstanding services, applying highly specialised clinical knowledge to influence improvements in care and patient outcomes. They will provide leadership and management to ensure patients and staff are safe and supported, foster leadership capacity within the team, and maintain exceptionally high safety standards while treating all patients with dignity and respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and managerial support for the Acute Care Team.
• Support the Consultant Nurse in continuous service development and participation in divisional and organisational forums.
• Lead the development and implementation of clinical and professional standards, initiatives and QI projects.
• Represent the team in governance meetings, addressing clinical governance issues promptly.
• Offer expert advice and direction to ensure holistic patient care for acutely ill and deteriorating ward patients in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
• Facilitate early admission to critical care and safe discharge, collaborating with ICU and medical teams.
• Develop and deliver the AIM course (Acute Illness Management) with the resuscitation team to improve cardiac arrest outcomes.
• Support infrastructure to address knowledge and skill deficits in ward teams for delivering acute care.
• Implement national guidelines or evidence‑based practice to improve patient care.
• Undertake independent comprehensive assessment and management of patients, incorporating physiological, psychological and pharmacological considerations.
• Conduct clinical audit, research and service development activities.
• Recognise and advocate for patients, carers, services and the organisation, leading change and resolving conflict.
• Demonstrate high levels of competence in clinical, diagnostic and examination skills, including advanced pharmacology and drug prescribing.
• Provide counselling and advocacy for acute and chronic conditions and act as a facilitator, resource and model for nursing and medical staff.
• Maintain close liaison and communication between all disciplines involved in patient care and collaborate with external practitioners for multi‑agency integration.
• Monitor and evaluate the role of the ACP in liaison with the Consultant Nurse and appropriate managers.
• Develop and sustain working relationships, partnerships and networks, drawing on inter‑professional resources to improve health outcomes.

Essential Criteria

• Completed Advanced Clinical Practice Pathway at Masters level including non‑medical prescriber module.
• Professional registration with the NMC or HCPC.
• Understanding of QI principles and experience of audit and quality improvement projects.
• Recent experience within an acute hospital setting and senior level experience of at least 3 years.
• Advanced clinical expertise, judgement, discretion and decision‑making in complex medical/surgical presentations.
• Experience in leading teams of senior clinicians with highly effective leadership skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and proficiency in computer systems.
• Professional registration and legal compliance with the UK Healthcare Act and relevant professional bodies.
• Physical fitness to carry out duties, assessed by Occupational Health and adjusted where reasonable under the Disability Act 1995.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of developing and presenting new audit cycles and CPD activities.
• First‑level registered nurse or allied health professional currently in advanced practice.
• Non‑medical prescriber certification and MSc in advanced practice or equivalent.
• Formal advanced specialist qualification in acute care.
• ALS provider or instructor, and management or teaching qualification.
• Experience in various acute clinical settings, leading QI projects and implementing sustainable change.
• Leadership qualification, management qualification and delivery of education materials.
• Excellent team‑working skills, understanding of team dynamics, and ability to build effective relationships.
• Independent work ability, prioritisation, planning, delegation and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, NIHR and NHS professional issues; ability to work under pressure.
• Effective presentation skills, financial awareness and ability to support, motivate and encourage staff.

Additional Information

• Salary is advertised for full‑time hours; pro‑rata for less than 37.5 hours per week.
• Recruiting may close before the final date if sufficient applications have been received.
• Shortlisting will be conducted anonymously based on essential criteria compliance.
• The role is contingent upon satisfactory DBS and Enhanced Disclosure checks before appointment.

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We serve over 600,000 people in East Lancashire and surrounding areas and employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally recognised.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to improving staff working lives and operating a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Appointments are made on merit.