Spinal Pathway Lead - Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a post holder to practise autonomously within their professional competence and agreed scope of practice, performing advanced assessment, diagnostic triage and evidence-based management with appropriate referrals. The role requires leadership across the spinal pathway and oversight of development work, coordinating priorities and reporting risks.

The post holder will collaborate across boundaries to implement evidence-based pathways, influence change

Responsibilities

• lead and contribute to education, clinical supervision, quality improvement, audit, research and service evaluation
• support translation of evidence and learning into sustained improvements in practice
• communicate complex and sensitive information clearly and compassionately, support shared decision-making and promote evidence-based biopsychosocial care and self-management

Job description

The post holder will practise autonomously within their professional competence and agreed scope of practice. They will undertake advanced assessment and diagnostic triage, request and interpret appropriate investigations, formulate evidence-based management plans and make appropriate referrals.

They will demonstrate advanced expertise in spinal assessment, diagnosis, investigation and management. They will maintain sufficient breadth of clinical knowledge to identify serious pathology, red flags and non-musculoskeletal conditions requiring urgent escalation or onward referral.

The post holder will provide visible clinical and professional leadership across the spinal pathway and maintain oversight of an agreed portfolio of development and improvement work. This will include coordinating priorities, monitoring objectives and outcomes, managing dependencies, identifying risks and reporting through appropriate governance arrangements.

They will work collaboratively across organisational and professional boundaries to develop and implement evidence-based pathways, clinical standards, referral criteria and protocols. They will influence change through expert practice, professional credibility, facilitation and effective relationships rather than direct line-management authority.

The post holder will use clinical, operational and patient-experience information to identify unwarranted variation and opportunities to improve quality, safety, access and equity. They will provide clear reports, recommendations and escalation of risks through the appropriate governance structures.

They will lead and contribute to education, clinical supervision, quality improvement, audit, research and service evaluation. They will support the translation of evidence and learning into sustained improvements in practice.

The post holder will communicate complex and sensitive information clearly and compassionately, support shared decision-making and promote evidence-based biopsychosocial care and self-management.