Qualified or Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Band 8a
Main area Cardiac Surgery Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours
- Full time
- Part time
37.5 hours per week (Weekday, weekends, nights and twilight shifts) Job ref 279-7984770-JUN26
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £49,387 – £64,750 Band 7 trainee ACP or Band 8a qualified ACP Salary period Yearly Closing 05/07/2026 23:59
Job overview
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for Trainee or Qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP) to join our dynamic Cardiothoracic team in Brighton. This unique role covers the full cardiac patient journey, from admission to post-operative care and discharge planning.
As an ACP, you will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, patient-centred care in various clinical settings, including admission, theatres, cardiac intensive care, and step‑down wards. Your responsibilities will include clinical decision‑making, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing care coordination.
This role is perfect for those with a passion for cardiothoracic surgery and acute care. You will work alongside an experienced ACP team, consultants, anaesthetists, specialist nurses, and allied health professionals, with opportunities for leadership, innovation, and professional growth. Trainee ACPs will be supported through an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, while qualified ACPs can lead service improvements and engage in education and research.
Strong communication, critical thinking, and a compassionate approach are essential. Experience in cardiothoracic, surgical, or acute care is desirable but not essential.
This is a progressive post, commencing at Band 7 and advancing to Band 8a upon successful completion of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice pathway and achievement of the required ACAT competencies.
Main duties of the job
Trainee ACPs undertake supervised clinical assessments, developing skills to formulate differential diagnoses and management plans for cardiac patients. You will participate in care across the full cardiac pathway, from admission to post‑operative care in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and recovery in step‑down ward, under expert supervision. Trainees engage in structured placements and academic study as part of a nationally recognised MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. During training, you’ll build core competencies in interpreting diagnostics, recognising patient deterioration, and contributing to multidisciplinary decision‑making. Trainees also participate in quality improvement, audit, and evidence‑based practice, with opportunities to present work at internal and regional events.
Qualified ACPs independently assess, diagnose, and manage complex cardiac conditions across the entire patient pathway. You will deliver expert care in CICU and ward settings, managing patients from admission to discharge, including providing onsite ACP cover overnight in CICU. Qualified ACPs lead ward rounds, apply advanced clinical skills to manage cardiac patients, and interpret a broad range of diagnostics. You will offer clinical leadership, mentor trainees and junior staff, and drive service development through research and audit. ACPs represent the service at local, national, and international forums, promoting innovation and best practice.
Working for our organisation
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as core values. We provide a supportive environment, inclusive staff networks, and opportunities such as a buddy system to help new members settle in. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship is provided only to applicants who meet the UKVI requirements.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of patients with a wide range of cardiac conditions. This includes detailed history taking, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests such as ECGs, blood results, and imaging. You will be expected to formulate differential diagnoses and work closely with medical and surgical colleagues to establish and implement evidence-based clinical management plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Clinical Decision Making: As an integral member of the clinical team, you will play a key role in leading and contributing to decision‑making processes across the cardiac pathway. This includes pre‑operative preparation, optimisation of patients with complex co‑morbidity, managing patients post‑operatively in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and supporting recovery on the cardiac step‑down ward. You will liaise regularly with the multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) including consultants, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and specialist nurses to ensure high‑quality, coordinated care.
Patient Care: You will deliver high standards of hands‑on, holistic care throughout the patient’s cardiac journey, from admission and surgery through to discharge planning and follow‑up. This includes supporting patients and their families through often complex and emotionally challenging experiences. Your role will focus not only on physical recovery but also on identifying psychosocial needs, providing education, and ensuring continuity of care across all clinical settings.
Advanced Clinical Skills: In this role, you will utilise and continue to develop advanced clinical skills. This includes conducting in‑depth physical examinations, managing acutely unwell or deteriorating patients, initiating appropriate investigations and treatment plans, and escalating concerns where necessary. You will also be involved in emergency responses and contribute to timely interventions that support patient stabilisation and recovery.
Education & Leadership: You will be expected to provide supervision, mentorship, and clinical teaching to junior colleagues, students, and new staff members, promoting a positive learning environment. In addition, you will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines, protocols, and pathways. You may be asked to lead or support service improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, efficiency, and staff well‑being within the cardiothoracic team.
Research & Development: As part of a service committed to innovation and clinical excellence, you will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research, audit, and quality improvement projects within the cardiothoracic specialty. You will support the evaluation and integration of evidence‑based practice into daily care and play a role in the development of new clinical strategies, pathways, and service models. There will be opportunities to disseminate your work through internal and external forums, with the potential to present at national and international conferences.
Person specification
Essential/Desirable
- Willing to undertake MSc Advanced Clinical Practice / Has undertaken MSc
- Knowledge of Advanced Clinical Practice, 4 pillars, National frameworks
- Degree/evidence of recent studies at level 6
- Experience at senior level within own speciality
- Completed Advanced Clinical Assessment Module / Independent Prescribing at Level 7
- Experience in Cardiothoracic/Cardiac surgery/ITU or Acute care
- Teaching and leadership skills/experience
- Experience of conducting audits/research
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications: We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation. Applications that rely heavily on AI‑generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for roles that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Additional information: For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net. For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner: Louise Best, Email: louise.best3@nhs.net, Phone: 07815424751.
Lead Consultant Cardiac Surgeon: Michael Lewis, Email: michael.lewis22@nhs.net. Informal visits and/or discussion are highly recommended.
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