Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Band 8a

The post holder will be based at Lincoln County Hospital, but will be expected to practice across all sites within the ULHT.

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will use specialist knowledge and skills to provide healthcare autonomously to patients within their sphere of practice. The ACP is accountable for independent clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with undiagnosed, undifferentiated conditions and patients with urological diagnosis. In addition to this the ACP is also responsible for appropriately referring patients to relevant specialities for any necessary inpatient or outpatient investigations., The post holder will have a Trust-wide responsibility to promote clinical excellence in the care of patients presenting to Urology Care by providing clinical advice and support to nursing staff and other health care professionals. They will provide expert professional and independent clinical care which enables the coordination of a multi professional seamless service for acute medical patients.

The role will include developing audit and research projects within their sphere/ area of practice, and participating in up-dating and implementing departmental policies, protocols and guidelines, in line with national guidance and contemporary evidence.

The ACP will have protected time to maintain and further develop their professional competence. They will have annual appraisal from medical and non-medical supervisors. The ACP will also provide ongoing supervision and support, participating in the induction and training of nursing and medical staff. As a senior member of the Multi-disciplinary team, the ACP will also play a pivotal role in the operational development of the service. They will initiate, manage and drive change, innovating changes in practice for the benefit of patient care in line with current trust and local programmes. Approximately 20% of the post holder's time will be used for these purposes.

The post holder will be a Registered Healthcare Professional and hold an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, equivalent at MSc level or willing to work towards an MSc to be agreed as part of the application process. They will be an independent Non-Medical Prescriber. They will practice at an advanced level demonstrating in depth knowledge and competence in all aspects of acute medicine, encompassing enhanced assessment, critical thinking and clinical management skills that are evidence based and deliver high quality patient centred care.

Lincoln Hospital is a thriving university city and with the opening of the medical school, it provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted teaching hospital status, after demonstrating evidence to significant teaching commitment. From now on it will be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Pilgrim Hospital is situated in beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

Grantham and District Hospital serves the communities of Grantham and the local area. It provides ambulatory paediatric and accident and emergency services.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county.

This will not constitute a formal merger of the two organisations, but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team, with the goal of improving the care that is provided to patients both in the community and in hospitals across Lincolnshire. Both Trusts will retain their separate statutory names and legal obligations.

The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).