Overview
We are looking for a passionate Advanced Clinical Practitioner with dermatology skills who would like to develop further and gain opportunities to enhance clinical assessment skills. The post holder will be based at West Suffolk Foundation Trust (WSFT) within the Dermatology Department and will operate with a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making, aligned to the four pillars of practice. The role includes independent clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis, and treatment within an agreed dermatology scope, making appropriate referrals, and facilitating safe patient discharge. The post holder may perform advanced dermatological skin surgery and develop Rapid Access Clinics and Skin Analytic Clinics if skills are not yet in place. Teaching of basic skin surgery to the nursing team may be required.
Main duties
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will work within WSFT’s Dermatology department under Medicine, using autonomy and complex decision making, and demonstrating the four pillars of practice: Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education and Research. The ACP is accountable for independent clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment within an agreed scope, and for appropriate referrals for investigations and safe discharge.
Key areas include advanced dermatology skin surgery, rapid access clinics, skin analytic clinics, and teaching nursing staff basic skin surgery.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
* Communication
* Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues, and others using appropriate communication styles; ensure timely, accurate and complete documentation reflective of Advanced Clinical Practice, compliant with legislation and local/national standards.
* Discuss assessment outcomes with patients, carers and other health care professionals to enable informed treatment decisions.
* Communicate highly complex information to patients, carers and families during consent processes and prior to treatment plans and invasive procedures.
* Support patients and families through difficult information, facilitate understanding, and obtain informed consent.
* Anticipate barriers to communication and ensure patients and significant others are kept informed and consenting to treatment.
* Diffuse potential complaints and hostile situations with staff, patients and carers using negotiation and interprofessional skills.
* Provide empathy and reassurance regarding illness, conditions and treatment-related side effects.
* Convey accurate information to the wider MDT to support patient management.
* Promote health and assess patients for risk factors and early signs of illness.
* Maintain effective communication within the multidisciplinary team for changes in patient conditions or treatment plans.
* Partner with patients, families and carers to support wellbeing and proactive self-management.
* Develop formal and informal links outside the organisation to share good practice and promote service development.
* Establish and maintain regional and national networks of contacts relevant to dermatology practice.
* Promote the service via study days, conferences and written papers; be a core multidisciplinary team member with specialist knowledge.
* Foster collaborative working relationships and effective communication within the team.
* Planning and organisational skills
* Demonstrate excellent time management and personal organisation; manage own diary and workload.
* Carry out training needs analysis and contribute to design, development and delivery of teaching programmes promoting practice development for staff in the speciality, including links with other organisations.
* Plan, deliver and implement education and training programmes for trainee ACPs and other disciplines, ensuring patient care in the MDT is based on research and best practice.
* Work with the MDT to develop clinical pathways and disseminate learning and good practice to team members.
* Clinical duties
* Work in line with WSFT’s Advanced Practice ethos; promote the Trust’s values and behaviours.
* Hold professional registration and an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent; where appropriate, be an independent Non-Medical Prescriber.
* Practice at an advanced level within the four pillars and demonstrate expertise in Dermatology surgery and lesion recognition with evidence-based, patient-centered care.
* Provide expert, independent clinical care enabling a coordinated multi-professional service; use a range of knowledge to determine evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including prescribing where appropriate and monitoring effectiveness.
* Plan and manage complete episodes of care, delegating and referring as needed to optimise health outcomes and resources; support patients directly.
* Promote clinical excellence and provide clinical advice and support to nursing staff and other healthcare teams.
* Act autonomously in assessing, planning and implementing management plans within their scope of practice.
* Take comprehensive patient histories, perform physical examinations, analyse complex signs, investigate results, consider differential diagnoses, and initiate treatment as required.
* Perform clinical procedures and invasive testing as indicated by history and examination.
* Continually evaluate patients and adjust treatment plans in consultation with patients and the MDT.
* Analyse data from multiple sources to inform diagnoses and clinical judgments; present information to senior medical staff when needed.
* Prescribe and review medication as an independent prescriber following evidence-based practice and local/national protocols; integrate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
* Prioritise health problems and intervene in complex, urgent and emergency situations; support patients, carers and families in coping with illness.
* Respect dignity, privacy and cultural beliefs; manage clinical risk and adhere to professional codes of conduct.
* Follow national guidance and local protocols; analyse clinical situations and formulate management plans; be accountable for professional actions within scope.
* Interpret and disseminate local and national policies within the specialty; manage workload to meet patient and service needs.
Education, Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Education and Qualifications Essential
* Professional registration with NMC, GPhC or HCPC.
* First degree in a clinical field (NMC).
* MSc in Advanced Practice or equivalent (HEE Centre guidance).
* Advanced Practice Non-Medical Prescribing (v300) if appropriate.
* Significant post-qualification experience (minimum 4 years) in a relevant clinical field.
* Evidence of continuing education.
Desirable
* Leadership/management course.
Experience and Knowledge Essential
* Completed portfolio of supervised practice in advanced clinical practice.
* Evidence of continuing professional development post-MSc.
* Evidence of teaching, mentorship and supervision of staff; multi-professional working.
Desirable
* Autonomous clinical work.
* Quality improvement methodology, audit, and change management experience.
Skills and Abilities Essential
* Theoretical and practical skills in patient management; strong leadership; effective written and verbal communication; presentation skills.
* Independent initiative, strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
* Problem solving, time management, and IT skills aligned to Trust systems.
* In-depth knowledge within the dermatology specialty and ability to apply current research in practice.
* Clinical governance, risk assessment/management and infection control knowledge.
Desirable
* Ability to develop protocols and guidelines; ability to write reports for senior management; knowledge of NHS, professional and educational issues.
Personal Qualities Essential
* Flexible approach to working hours and duties.
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require a DBS check. Certificate of Sponsorship and UK registration requirements apply as described.
Employer: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ. Website: www.wsh.nhs.uk
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