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:
1. Qualified ACPs (Band 8a), able to independently prescribe
2. 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.
We’re Looking For
3. Passionate clinicians with Head & Neck oncology experience
4. Commitment to collaborative, patient-centred care
5. Interest in innovation, service design, and research
6. Motivation to build a Sussex-wide Head & Neck team
7. Essential: ability to train and practice as an independent prescriber
What We Offer
8. A chance to shape a new care model in a new team
9. Funded MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice for trainee ACPs, supporting entry requirements (usually a first degree or recent Level 7 study)
10. Support for independent prescribing training if eligible
11. Strong supervision, MDT support, and peer learning
12. A values-led organisation committed to wellbeing, innovation, and development
Essential Criteria
13. Registered with a UK professional healthcare body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)
14. Minimum 3 years post-registration experience
15. Normally hold a first degree (or agreed study plan for recent/non-graduates)
16. English and Maths Level 2 qualifications (Ofqual, CCEA, or Qualifications Wales regulated)
17. Eligible to train/practice as an independent prescriber
18. Experience in Head & Neck cancer management
19. 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
Essential criteria
20. Current HCPC/NMC registration (or studying to obtain)
21. Willing to undertake MSc in Advanced Practice, supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses
22. Willing to undertake Independent non-medical prescriber
23. IRMER or willing to undertake (Imaging Referral by Non- Medical Healthcare Professionals) training complete
24. Willing to undertake Non- medical authorisation of blood products training completed or willing to undertake
25. Degree/ evidence of recent studies at Level 6
26. Experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
27. Significant post registration speciality experience
28. Enhanced clinical skills relevant to area of clinical practice policies, and regulatory requirements.
29. 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.
30. Work independently, recognising professional boundaries and seeking senior/consultant input when cases fall outside of personal competence or agreed scope of practice.
31. Exercise professional judgment in prioritising workload and managing complex caseloads across sites, ensuring safe and effective care delivery.
32. 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.
33. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
34. Maintain resilience and adaptability when working autonomously in challenging or unpredictable clinical environments.
35. Independent non-medical prescriber is essential
36. Experience supporting patients with altered airways
Desirable criteria
37. Completed advanced clinical assessment & Independent prescribing at level 7
38. Leadership qualification
39. Evidence of service development
40. Experience in H&N cancer & altered airway management
41. Subspecialist interests/expertise, as would contribute to the development of the service at UHS
42. Additional clinical & interpretation of care pathways, ensuring that evidence based practice underpins all clinical decisions.
43. • 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
Essential criteria
44. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
45. 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