Job overview

We have a fantastic opportunity to recruit a band 8a Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join our Vascular Surgery speciality within the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Care Group at UHS. 
We are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated qualified ACP with proven leadership skills and an interest in Vascular Surgery to join our existing team of ACP’s.
The Vascular ACP team provide high quality, safe and effective ward-based clinical care for patients pre and post vascular surgery seven days a week, and also clinically assess patients within our rapid access Vascular clinic, in order to reduce delays to patients needing urgent vascular assessment.
The ACP service not only benefits our patients in terms of continuity and quality of care, but provides our patients with more prompt admissions, seamless inpatient care and improved discharges, thus improving the patient experience and reducing length of hospital stay.
The role is very well supported by the Consultant team who provide Consultant ward rounds seven days a week.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO
 To perform at an advanced level within the four broad based competencies of advanced nursing practice (Health Education England 2017)
•    Expert clinical practice
•    Leadership and management, to improve and transform services.
•    Research – application of existing research and contributing to new research within chosen specialty.
•    Education and Development of self and others
•    The Advanced Clinical Practitioner will practice independently as a core member of the Medical Team; you will have responsibility for the medical management of a defined patient or client group under guidance of the Consultant responsible for the care episode.
•    You will demonstrate a high level of competence in specific areas of knowledge, health assessment and clinical decision-making.
•    You will provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, their carers and other health care professionals.
•    You will practice clinically within agreed care protocols; these will be monitored by the Designated Medical Lead / Practitioner
•    You will advise and support the Care Group management team regarding overall service strategy and future development of the service.
•    The post holder will work across professional, departmental and Trust boundaries as required to develop and support patient-centred seamless care.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
To be successful in your application you will need to provide evidence of meeting ACP MSc academic requirements, and to provide evidence that you are/have been working within all four pillars of advanced practice.
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills who can work autonomously and safely in challenging situations and can provide senior support and leadership to trainee ACP’s. In return we can offer you the opportunity to improve, influence and develop the service further and provide structured career development supported by an experienced senior team.

Person specification

Trust values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered Healthcare Professional on relevant part of NMC / HCPC register
• MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice –full master (180 credits) Or equivalency pathway –the portfolio route –recognition by HEE centre of Advanced practice, via the supported portfolio route. Including NMP where professional registration permits. Or have formally credentialed on a nationally recognised specialty specific Advanced Clinical Practice programme for example FICM or RCEM EM AC
• Speciality specific post registration qualification or training
• Provide evidence of Leading learning in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
• Provide evidence of Supporting /managing and supervision a range of learnings in practice
• Leadership and Management qualification
• Able to develop and implement policy, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
• Completion of IR(ME)R Training
• Extensive post registration experience in a relevant speciality
• Experience of Service Development

Desirable criteria

• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• ALS instructor
• EPLS/PALS provider

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Communication
• Influencing
• Interpersonal skills
• Keyboard skills
• Leadership
• Microsoft Office skills
• Negotiation skills
• Networking skills
• Presentation skills
• Prioritisation
• Research skills

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.