Trainee Advanced Critical Care Practitioner

Transformation Unit; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Trainee Advanced Critical Care Practitioner (ACCP) in Critical Care. This fixed-term apprenticeship-based role starts at Band 6 with progression to Band 7 after meeting academic and clinical competencies.

The post involves structured clinical and academic training, under supervision, to develop advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning and patient management skills for critically ill adults within the Critical Care Directorate.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with valid NMC or HCPC registration.
• Eligible for MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice; honours degree 2.2+ in related health care subject.
• Evidence of CPD and continuous professional development.
• ALS/ILS or willingness to undertake and complete.
• Apprenticeship route requires GCSE English and Maths or functional skills ready.

Responsibilities

• Undertake advanced assessment and management of critically ill patients.
• Develop, implement and review evidence-based treatment plans.
• Perform advanced clinical procedures such as vascular access and arterial line insertion.
• Collaborate with Consultants, ACCPs and MDT to ensure safe, patient-centred care.
• Contribute to education, supervision and research activities; maintain professional standards.

Skills

NHS registration

HCPC registration

Clinical experience

Autonomous practice

Leadership

Education

MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice

Honours degree 2.2+ in health care subject

Functional skills / GCSEs (if apprent.)

Job description

Main area Critical Care Grade NHS AfC: Band 6/7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Rotation onto days, nights and weekends once qualified.) Job ref 190-1791-TACP

Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Critical Care department. Town Sheffield Salary £39,959 - £56,515 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 21/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 05/10/2026

Trainee Advanced Critical Care Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 6/7

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes , health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

The Trainee ACCP is a registered healthcare professional undertaking a structured programme of clinical and academic training within the Critical Care Directorate at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Working under the supervision of Consultants and qualified ACCPs, trainees develop advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision-making and patient management skills while delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to critically ill patients. The role includes patient reviews, ward rounds, interpretation of investigations and development of procedural skills such as vascular access and arterial line insertion. Trainees complete a Master's-level ACCP programme and contribute to the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership, education and research. This is a Band 6 training post with progression to Band 7 on successful completion of the required academic and clinical competencies.

Main duties of the job

Undertake advanced assessment and management of critically ill patients, including history taking, physical examination, interpretation of investigations and formulation of differential diagnoses. Develop, implement and review evidence-based treatment plans, supporting patients through admission, stabilisation, recovery and discharge. Perform advanced clinical procedures within scope of practice, including vascular access, arterial line insertion and management of critical care therapies.

Interpret radiological, biochemical and physiological data to inform decision-making and prescribe medications where appropriately qualified and authorised. Work collaboratively with Consultants, ACCPs and the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care, while providing clinical leadership to support patient flow and service delivery.

Contribute to the education, supervision and development of colleagues, students and trainee practitioners, acting as a role model for advanced practice. Participate in audit, governance, research, quality improvement and service development activities to enhance patient outcomes and clinical effectiveness. Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development, revalidation and evidence-based practice, while consistently demonstrating Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ PROUD values.

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its employees. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period of 3 years due to this being an apprenticeship/training programme. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts.
A learner/applicant must be a UK, EEA, or EU resident for at least the past three years to undertake an apprenticeship training programme.
Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.
Please also note this vacancy is a training post so all applicants will start at Band 6 and upon completion of necessary skills and/ or training will progress to Band 7.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with Valid NMC registration or Health Care Professional and registered with HCPC with relevant clinical experience
• The candidate must be eligible to apply for and willing to complete a full MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. Eligibility criteria includes an Honours degree at 2.2 or above in a related health care subject. Alternatively, evidence of completion of pre-entry assessment at HEI or successful level 7 study will also be considered.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
• Advanced life support qualification (ALS/ILS) or willingness to undertake and successfully complete
• Where possible study is funded via the apprenticeship route. If undertaking Apprentice programme, the candidate must be able to demonstrate GCSE English and Maths at C or above or functional skills assessment level 2. If unable to evidence the trainee must complete the functional skills assessment by the end of the Master’s Programme (apprenticeship requirement).
• Advanced Physical Assessment module, Non-Medical Prescribing (if part of proposed role)
• Recognised Teaching & Assessment Qualification or equivalent experience
• Recognised Leadership Award/qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

• Experience of delivering training / education to others
• 3 years relevant post registration experience (HEI requirement)
• Evidence of multi-disciplinary team working
• Experience of working in an extended role with experience of autonomous practice
• Experience of undertaking service improvement activity