Job overview
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role is a cutting‑edge position within advanced clinical practice, crossing traditional professional boundaries and undertaking roles historically associated with medical staff. The ACP leads inter‑professional practice and acts as a role model for excellence in delivering holistic patient care.
The post holder will assess and treat a wide range of acute and chronic clinical cases, providing expert clinical input while ensuring evidence‑based practice underpins all aspects of care and treatment. The role demands critical thinking, safe clinical decision‑making, and delivery of advanced-level practice within the specialist field.
Working within locally and nationally agreed protocols, the ACP demonstrates capability across the Four Pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice and exercises autonomous clinical judgement to assess, investigate, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
The ACP also contributes to service delivery and provides leadership in supporting the education and development of nursing, midwifery, allied health professional (AHP), and medical colleagues.
Main duties of the job
* Provide advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management for orthopaedic patients across inpatient, outpatient, and virtual pathways.
* Lead and contribute to orthopaedic audit, clinical governance, and quality improvement initiatives.
* Ensure accurate and timely completion of National Major Trauma Registry (NMTR) and Neck of Femur (NOF) database entries. Support and develop the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) model to optimise patient flow and improve patient experience.
* Participate in orthopaedic ward rounds, trauma meetings, and multidisciplinary care planning.
* Manage patients with NOF and major trauma injuries according to national guidelines and local protocols, in partnership with the Major Trauma Practitioner.
* Provide clinical leadership in implementing best-practice standards such as BOAST, NICE, GIRFT, and NHFD pathways.
* Provide leadership and line management to orthopaedic practitioners, clinical specialists, and trauma coordinators.
Working for our organisation
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.
Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
* Current unrestricted registration as a Nurse, Midwife or AHP
* MSc Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent qualification
* Teaching and assessing/mentorship qualification
* Registered Independent Prescriber
* Minimum of 5 years post-registration experience in orthopaedics
* Minimum of 2 years’ experience within the speciality
* Leadership qualification/course
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
* Clinical Supervision experience
* Evidence of delivery of training
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* In-depth knowledge of current practice issues
Desirable criteria
* Management & Leadership experience
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
* Evidence of ability to work & lead autonomously at advanced practice level
* Contribution to audit
* Ability to initiate, sustain and evaluate change within a variety of clinical situations
* Management of patients with complex needs
* Advanced Clinical Practice skills
* Clinical Examination skills
* Skills in critical analysis & application of research to practice
* Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries, to negotiate effectively and resolve complex problems
* Evidence of good written and oral communication skills including presentations
* Able to recognise and analyse complex situations and take appropriate solutions
* Ability and initiative to develop specialist areas of interest