Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)

Job overview An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, experienced, and enthusiastic Advanced Clinical Practitioner to become part of the clinical review team at our Christie satellite centre in Macclesfield. This is an opportunity for ACPs of all backgrounds to join this exciting team. Educated to Masters level, you will be expected to practice autonomously at an advanced level in the delivery of high quality, safe and supportive care to patients including assessing and managing radiotherapy and chemotherapy side effects and prescribing independently. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is a highly specialised oncology treatment hospital. At The Christie at Macclesfield site we deliver both radical and palliative radiotherapy, using a range of modern techniques. The department also offers a local metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) service and is equipped with a CT simulator and two Linnear Accelerators. You must have the necessary skills to be able to react to and manage acute/emergency situations. You will be a key member of the clinical team which includes oncologists and other allied health professionals in both the centre and wider Christie team. You will be involved in the clinical training and development of qualified AHP’s and support staff. Those without the ACP qualification may be considered for a Band 7 trainee post. Advert The Advanced Clinical Practitioner is a skilled practitioner who, demonstrates highly developed specialist knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of patients. They will formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute and chronic illness and will respond to actual and potential health problems appropriately. Non-Medical prescribing, strategic planning, education, research and audit are key components of the role. The postholder will have a role in the clinical assessment of patients attending the hospital, working autonomously to assess the clinical situation, assessing symptoms determining a working diagnosis and appropriate supportive management. They will oversee the management of patients on outpatient treatment pathways and those attending for radiotherapy, identifying issues and altering treatment plans in line with consultant colleagues. They will order investigations, make appropriate/timely referrals and maintain relevant clinical records. They will work alongside medical colleagues maintaining good communication and collaboration between the various multidisciplinary teams. Evidence based care will be inherent in their practice, ensuring that best practice is disseminated throughout the clinical areas. Working for our organisation The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients. Detailed job description and main responsibilities DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Advanced Clinical Practice 1.0 Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients. 1.1 Recognises and appropriately responds to limitations and gaps in knowledge seeking support where necessary. Demonstrates critical self-reflection, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change. 1.2 Develops and undertakes advanced clinical skills in assessing and managing patients. This includes obtaining informed consent, history taking, screening, systematic physical examination, requisition and interpretation of appropriate clinical investigations and formulation of clinical management plans. 1.3 Maintain and develop expertise and competence within the field of oncology to enable collaboration with senior colleagues and medical staff, and to facilitate the management of patients. 1.4 Use evidence-based research to support clinical decisions and management plans. 1.5 Prescribe within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks including first and subsequent cycles of chemotherapy (as per Medicines Practice Operational Policy July 2010), unlicensed medication and drugs used within clinical trials as qualified Independent Non-Medical Prescriber. Prescribe appropriate blood products as per Trust policy. 1.9 Liaise with the wider inter-professional teams regarding the management of patients under their care. 1.10 Accept referrals from other health care professionals and refer patients directly to other specialties within the appropriate primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. 1.11 Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their significant others, this may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and prognosis. 1.12 Work collaboratively with an appropriate range of multi-agency and multi-professional resources, developing, maintaining, and evaluating links to manage risk and issues across organisations and settings. 1.13 Prepare accurate and concise records and reports, both verbal and written. Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, GP, and other community. and hospice-based services at regular intervals as appropriate. 1.14 Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse incident reporting and the investigation and the management of complaints as appropriate 1.15 Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate. 1.16 Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process as appropriate for disease group with reference to Bed Management Policy. 1.17 Perform clinical procedures safely according to defined protocols. 1.18 Develop patient specific information and ensure patients receive appropriate information, advice, and support in relation to their illness and treatment. Provide an environment that encourages patient centred involvement. 1.19 Be an active member of relevant Trust committees and groups contributing to developing/implementing local/national strategy. 1.20 Collaborate within the Cancer Network and offer clinical support to colleagues within cancer units, relating to individual patient management, health care delivery, peer review and strategic policy initiatives. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g., NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.). 1.21 Act as an expert resource and provide advice and support to ward/departmental areas and the wider community. 1.22 Demonstrate professionalism in terms of attitude, communication, and appearance at all times. 1.23 Perform authorities as part of a clinical trial and maintain ICH/GCP competence. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 2.0 Contribute as appropriate to the development of strategies within the Division and wider