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Advanced Clinical Practitioner/Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Band 8a
Main area Advanced Clinical Practitioner Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent: Working across UH Sussex sites Hours
* Full time
* Part time
* Job share
* Flexible working
* Home or remote working
* Compressed hours
37.5 hours per week (Flexible working will be considered, but trainee ACP's must be able to work a minimum 30 hours per week to meet course requirements) Job ref 279-7393167-AUG25
Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Eastbourne Radiotherapy Treatment Unit Town Eastbourne, East Sussex, Salary Trainee position will be paid band 7 until completion on MSc Closing 03/09/2025 23:59 Interview date 23/09/2025
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Join Us in Transforming Head & Neck Cancer Care in Sussex
Exciting Opportunity: Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Band 8a) or Trainee ACP (Band 7)
Base: Eastbourne and Brighton | Service: Oncology (Radiotherapy)
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
We’re pleased to introduce a new ACP role within an innovative Head & Neck Radiotherapy service. This new multidisciplinary team includes a Dietitian and Speech & Language Therapist, delivering pioneering care for patients receiving complex radiotherapy.
As part of the Radiotherapy Review Project, we are expanding Category 1 radiotherapy at Eastbourne Radiotherapy Unit (ERTU), improving access and reducing travel for vulnerable patients.
The ACP will lead in providing advanced, holistic care across Eastbourne and Brighton, with strong clinical supervision and links to the established Brighton team. This role offers the chance to shape services, contribute to research, and develop professionally in a supportive environment.
We welcome applications from:
Qualified ACPs (Band 8a), able to independently prescribe
Trainee ACPs ready for a fully supported development pathway, with ability to train and practice as independent prescribers
Please specify in your application which role you are applying for and how your skills meet the job description.
Main duties of the job
Provide advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management of Head & Neck oncology patients undergoing radiotherapy, working autonomously within the advanced clinical practice scope.
Lead the new multidisciplinary Head & Neck radiotherapy team (ACP, Dietitian, SLT), ensuring safe, coordinated, patient-centred care.
Prescribe independently or train to do so if a Trainee ACP, initiating and adjusting treatment plans per clinical need and governance.
Identify and manage treatment toxicities and late effects such as malnutrition, dehydration, and functional decline to reduce hospitalisation risk.
Support altered airway management including tracheostomy and laryngectomy care, and site/manage nasogastric tubes for nutritional support.
Order and justify scans in line with IRMER protocols as part of assessment and monitoring.
Support palliative patients, aiding decisions on treatment cessation or de-escalation aligned with patient wishes and best practice.
Provide clinical leadership, education, and mentorship, fostering advanced practice development.
Contribute to care pathway design and evaluation within the Radiotherapy Case for Change for evidence-based, cost-effective delivery.
Collaborate with the Head & Neck team in Brighton and across UHSussex for consistent, equitable care.
Engage in governance, audit, service improvement, and professional development including MSc completion if a trainee.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Why This Matters
Head & Neck radiotherapy is complex, with risks including malnutrition, dehydration, hospitalisation, and functional decline. The ACP role is critical to improving safety, outcomes, and quality of life through expert multidisciplinary care.
Passionate clinicians with Head & Neck oncology experience
Commitment to collaborative, patient-centred care
Interest in innovation, service design, and research
Motivation to build a Sussex-wide Head & Neck team
Essential: ability to train and practice as an independent prescriber
What We Offer
A chance to shape a new care model in a new team
Funded MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice for trainee ACPs, supporting entry requirements (usually a first degree or recent Level 7 study)
Support for independent prescribing training if eligible
Strong supervision, MDT support, and peer learning
A values-led organisation committed to wellbeing, innovation, and development
Registered with a UK professional healthcare body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)
Minimum 3 years post-registration experience
Normally hold a first degree (or agreed study plan for recent/non-graduates)
English and Maths Level 2 qualifications (Ofqual, CCEA, or Qualifications Wales regulated)
Eligible to train/practice as an independent prescriber
Experience in Head & Neck cancer management
Strong leadership, autonomy, and resilience demonstrated through:
• Service development or pathway redesign
• Clinical leadership in MDTs
• Managing complex caseloads independently
• Mentoring colleagues or students
• Maintaining patient safety under pressure
Person specification
Qualifications/ Experience
* Current HCPC/NMC registration (or studying to obtain)
* Willing to undertake MSc in Advanced Practice, supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses
* Willing to undertake Independent non-medical prescriber
* IRMER or willing to undertake (Imaging Referral by Non- Medical Healthcare Professionals) training complete
* Willing to undertake Non- medical authorisation of blood products training completed or willing to undertake
* Degree/ evidence of recent studies at Level 6
* Experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
* Significant post registration speciality experience
* Enhanced clinical skills relevant to area of clinical practice policies, and regulatory requirements.
* Take appropriate autonomous clinical decisions within the scope of advanced clinical practice, including complex and high risk situations, with responsibility for initiating, evaluating, and adjusting treatment plans.
* Work independently, recognising professional boundaries and seeking senior/consultant input when cases fall outside of personal competence or agreed scope of practice.
* Exercise professional judgment in prioritising workload and managing complex caseloads across sites, ensuring safe and effective care delivery.
* Act as a clinical leader and role model within the multidisciplinary team, supporting the development of colleagues and contributing to advanced clinical education and supervision. Maintain resilience and adaptability when working autonomously in challenging or unpredictable clinical environments.
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
* Maintain resilience and adaptability when working autonomously in challenging or unpredictable clinical environments.
* Independent non-medical prescriber is essential
* Experience supporting patients with altered airways
* Completed advanced clinical assessment & Independent prescribing at level 7
* Evidence of service development
* Experience in H&N cancer & altered airway management
* Subspecialist interests/expertise, as would contribute to the development of the service at UHS
* Additional clinical & interpretation of care pathways, ensuring that evidence based practice underpins all clinical decisions.
* • Demonstrate financial awareness in daily decision making, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources, human and otherwise, in line with budgetary constraints.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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 our commitment to 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 the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations 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
Further 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.
Application numbers
This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it 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 this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.
Name Robyn Payne Job title Cancer Matron Email address robyn.payne1@nhs.net Telephone number 07826875627 Additional information
Interested in Applying?
We strongly encourage candidates to contact us during the application process and arrange an informal visit to meet the team. This provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the service, the role, and how you could contribute to this exciting new model of care.
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