Overview
Main area Neurosurgery Grade NHS AfC: Band 6/7 Contract 3 years (Contract Type: Apprenticeship Level 7, substantive contract awarded on completion of apprenticeship programme. Contract Duration: minimum 3 years due to Apprenticeship Requirements. If not eligible for an Apprenticeship programme an alternative training route is available.) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 190-0794-DIR
Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Hallamshire Hospital Town Sheffield Salary £38,682 - £54,710 pa/pro rata for part time staff Salary period Yearly Closing 24/09/2025 23:59 Interview date 06/10/2025
Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) in Neurosurgery
NHS AfC: Band 6/7
We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.
Job overview
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an aspiring Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join the Neurosurgical Team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. At STH we recognise the vital role ACPs play in delivering high-quality, flexible care and new ways of working. We are looking for a passionate and driven trainee who is committed to providing excellent clinical care and developing the autonomy required for advanced practice.
As a trainee, you will undertake a fully supported MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice while developing the advanced clinical skills necessary to support our patients and teams.
The apprenticeship is Agenda for Change Band 6 rising to Band 7 once the post holder has successfully demonstrated the completion of the relevant Advanced Practice Post Graduate Diploma, and a portfolio of evidence containing supervised learning events which demonstrate completion of the clinical element of the core curriculum outlined in the Multi-Professional Advanced Clinical Practice Framework (HEE 2017). Progression to Band 8a on completion of the full MSc.
The programme follows the NHS Apprenticeship route, combining academic study with practical, on-the-job experience. Course fees are fully funded, and you will get protected supervised learning time. Some travel may be required.
Main duties of the job
Significant investment has been made at STH in developing our ACP workforce to ensure patients receive timely, expert care. We are looking for a self-motivated and enthusiastic trainee with a strong desire to grow into an exceptional clinical leader.
In this role, you will:
* Deliver high-quality, person-centred care in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
* Work collaboratively within an established and supportive ACP team.
* Contribute to improving patient outcomes for our population in Sheffield through expert and holistic assessment and clinical decision-making within the area of work under direct or indirect supervision of a Consultant Mentor / supervisor.
* Develop strong leadership and clinical competencies aligned with the four pillars of advanced practice.
Applicants are welcomed from those professional groups eligible to undertake non-medical prescribing under current statutory requirements.
Working for our organisation
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.
You will be joining a dynamic and expanding Advanced Clinical Practitioner team where there will be opportunities to contribute not only to clinical care, but also to quality improvement, education and research. Your training will be supported by the Advanced Practice (AP) Academy at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals who provide a structured yet supportive training environment for trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs). The Academy brings together key elements such as education, supervision, clinical training, and professional development, all aligned with national standards and the four pillars of advanced practice. The Academy works closely with local universities and offers tailored learning opportunities, including a comprehensive induction, simulation, study days, and regular peer support forums. With strong governance and a focus on consistency and quality, it creates a positive learning environment where trainees feel supported, stay on track, and develop the confidence and competence needed to become safe, effective, and autonomous ACPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.
When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Please also note this vacancy is a training post so all applicants will start at Band 6 and upon completion of necessary skills and/ or training will progress to Band 7.
This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period of 3 years due to this being an apprenticeship/training programme. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts.
A learner/applicant must be a UK, EEA, or EU resident for at least the past three years to undertake an apprenticeship training programme.
Your contract will be fixed term due to this role being an apprenticeship. You will be required to achieve the necessary qualification/competencies to subsequently apply for/be promoted into the fully qualified role as defined locally.
This position is subject to completion of the required competencies set at a national or local level and on completion the fixed term contract will end. As such, your fixed term contract status will be reviewed to accommodate the Trust’s legal obligations in accordance with the Fixed Term Contract Regulations in relation to your individual employment status and the successful timely completion of all the elements of your apprenticeship. The fully qualified role will be on a permanent basis should you complete your apprenticeship as defined within the competencies set as above.
If you are currently employed by STH you will need approval to undertake this apprenticeship on a temporary basis from your substantive manager.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
* Registered Nurse with Valid NMC registration or Health Care Professional and registered with HCPC with relevant clinical experience
* The candidate must be eligible to apply for and willing to complete a full MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. Eligibility criteria includes an Honours degree at 2.2 or above in a related health care subject. Alternatively, evidence of completion of pre-entry assessment at HEI or successful level 7 study will also be considered.
* Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
* Advanced life support qualification (ALS/ILS) or willingness to undertake and successfully complete
* Where possible study is funded via the apprenticeship route. If undertaking Apprentice programme, the candidate must be able to demonstrate GCSE English and Maths at C or above or functional skills assessment level 2. If unable to evidence the trainee must complete the functional skills assessment by the end of the Master’s Programme (apprenticeship requirement).
* Advanced Physical Assessment module, Non-Medical Prescribing (if part of proposed role)
* Recognised Teaching & Assessment Qualification or equivalent experience
* Recognised Leadership Award/qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
* Experience of delivering training / education to others
* Evidence of multi-disciplinary team working
* Experience of working in Neurosurgery and Neuro critical care
* Experience of working in an extended role with experience of autonomous practice
* Experience of undertaking service improvement activity
* Evidence of contribution to audit and research programs
* Clinical / managerial leadership experience, including line management of staff, e.g. sickness/absence, recruitment/selection
Skills and Knowledge
* Can prioritise and manage own workload when faced with conflicting pressures
* High standard of written and verbal communication - able to present and receive complex information and communicate effectively with all grades of staff and patients / families
* Ability to manage self and maintain professional conduct in difficult and challenging situations
* Demonstrates ability to work/learn self-directed
* In depth knowledge of pathophysiology of common conditions seen in the speciality and their management
* Excellent presentation skills
* Ability to order and interpret appropriate clinical investigations
* Study of therapeutics/diagnostics
* Able to analyse and synthesise patient information to formulate appropriate diagnoses and management plans
* Effective leadership, negotiation and reasoning skills with the ability to influence, coach and motivate others
Personal Qualities
* Team player with a professional approach to work and colleagues; able to develop good working relationships
* Self-motivated and able to work independently.
* Shows respect, courtesy, and professionalism in all contacts
* Patient focussed with a ‘can do’ attitude
* Commitment to staff development and training
* Flexible in order to meet the needs of the service
* Competent and confident approach to practice with ability to work under pressure
Please note that in order to comply with the UK Government’s rules on Skilled Worker sponsorship, any applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements or concessions on salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa will not be eligible to receive sponsorship from the Trust. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application. Further details on these concessions, and who qualifies for them, can be found here .
Candidates are advised to read the attached guidance on using AI technology. When you complete your application, you are required to declare that the information in your application form is true and complete. The personal statement is exactly that; personal.
When selecting to apply via NHS Jobs, you will be redirected to our preferred recruitment system called Trac. You will be asked to create and submit your application via the Trac recruitment system.
You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. All communications should be sent via your Trac system account.
If you are offered employment at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals your information will be transferred from the Trac recruitment system into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. In addition, in submitting an application form, you authorise our Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the ESR IAT process should you be appointed.
Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email sent via the Trac recruitment system, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
The Trust is committed to its obligations in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Should you require any assistance in applying for the position please contact the General or Medical Human Resources Departments on the number identified on the NHS Jobs page for the organisation.
Job Share applicants are welcome for all full time posts unless indicated but cannot be guaranteed. In addition for Fixed Term Contracts, internal secondments may be considered, please seek the approval of your current line manager before applying for the position.
All employment with the Trust is subject to a number of NHS Employment Checks being met to a satisfactory standard including verification of identity, eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, references and qualifications in addition to professional registration, a disclosure and barring records check and occupational health check if these are deemed to be a requirement for the position to be undertaken.
For more information about our organisation and the opportunities available, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook
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.
Name Deborah Hewitt-Clarke Job title Neurosurgical Matron Email address deborah.hewitt-clarke@nhs.net Telephone number 0114 2713610 Additional information
Advanced Clinical Nurse Practitioners
Ward N2
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Sheffield
S10 2JF
Telephone: 0114 271 2098
#J-18808-Ljbffr