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Job summary

Main area
Geriatric Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent: This post includes a commitment to future 7 day working patterns
Hours
37.5 hours per week (Full time, 37.5 hours per week)
Job ref
216-LH-DA7624225
Employer
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Derriford Hospital
Town
Plymouth
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 £55,690 - £62,682 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/01/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust logo

Advanced Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner will work within the multidisciplinary Acute Frailty team to support the provision of high quality frailty-attuned care to improve outcomes for patients through early assessment & intervention, access to timely diagnostics & onward liaison with community teams

There is focused in-reach to the Emergency Department & Same Day Emergency Care unit delivered in a separate clinical area, aiming to maximise opportunity for patients with frailty to be offered alternatives to admission to inpatient beds. We accept referrals from primary care, ambulance crews & ED as well as proactive case finding in ED. Our In-reach service runs across 7 days with the SDEC unit currently open 5 days; this post will include a commitment to future 7 day working patterns.

We are working to support the growing UHP-led Acute Virtual Ward, LSW-led Community Frailty Virtual Ward & Cornwall Virtual Ward services to maximise opportunities for discharge home. We aim to develop a  Frailty short stay unit to complement our SDEC unit, recognising the benefit of continuity of approach for patients who do require inpatient care.  

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

A.    Work in accordance with the Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England (HEE, 2017) and University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) Trust Policy for Advanced Practice

B.    Utilise advanced clinical skills to ensure that patients receive holistic, timely & high-quality care

C.    Exercise autonomous clinical expertise, high levels of judgement, discretion & decision- making in care, in accordance with their scope of practice

D.    Draw on expertise utilising  the four pillars of advanced practice to lead and influence improvements to standards of care

E.    Develop a culture of organisational learning to inspire future and existing staff

F.    Influence and lead on the improvement of care though clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and research in collaboration with clinical and academic colleagues

G.    Demonstrate compassionate leadership in daily working

H.    Deliver rapid, holistic assessment for frailty patients in SDEC, including physical, cognitive, functional and social needs

 I.      Lead proactive management plans to avoid unnecessary admission and support discharge to home or community pathways

 J.     Collaborate with Frailty Virtual Ward, Urgent Community Response (UCR) & inpatient teams to ensure continuity of care

 K.    Act as a clinical leader for frailty within acute care, influencing pathways and standards

 L.       Support implementation of national frailty best practice (e.g. NHSE Acute Frailty Network, BGS guidance)

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

1. Assess, differentially diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment interventions for patients by virtue of expert clinical judgement and close liaison with members of the MDT. 

2. Use expertise and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning approaches when dealing with differentiated and undifferentiated individual presentations and complex situations, synthesising information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence-based judgements and/or diagnoses.

3. Initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions which may include prescribing medicines, therapies, life style advice and care.

4. Exercise professional judgement to manage risk appropriately, especially where there may be complex and unpredictable events and supporting teams to do likewise to ensure safety of individuals, families and carers.

5. Utilise complex decision-making skills to promote high quality care in unpredictable and challenging circumstances.

6. Ensure compliance with their respective code of professional conduct and work within their scope of practice.

7. Works in conjunction with the MDT to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care.

8. Work in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate

9. Be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy. This includes being critically aware of their limits of their own competence and professional scope of practice, including when working with complexity, risk, uncertainty and incomplete information.

10. Be responsible and accountable for their decisions, actions and omissions at this level of practice.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS 

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria
  • • Extensive demonstrable experience within speciality or clear identification of transferrable skills based on extensive experience in another field.
  • • Proven evidence of practice in line with the HEE (2017) multi-professional framework Management ability and demonstrable leadership experience
  • • Excellent clinical and practical skills
Desirable criteria
  • Change management skills
  • Multi-professional supervision
  • Appraisal skills

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • • Masters Degree in Advanced Practice or equivalent (as defined by Trust AP policy)
  • • Statutory Professional Registration.
  • • Significant contribution to a Portfolio of Evidence
Desirable criteria
  • • Management package
  • • Instructor on life support courses
  • • Independent non-medical prescribing

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to recognise and analyse complex situations and take appropriate action.
  • Proven evidence of relevant, recent study and continuing professional development
  • Ability to communicate effectively both in written and verbal form

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Hayley Johns
Job title
Support Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01752 437511
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