An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join Lewisham's new and innovative Virtual Ward service.
The post holder will work as a qualified ACP within the Virtual Ward team, delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. This role includes autonomous assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients within an agreed scope of practice, supporting individuals to remain safely in their own homes and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
The ACP will contribute to a new model of care by working collaboratively as part of the integrated multidisciplinary Virtual Ward team. They will provide remote and face-to-face clinical assessments, with a particular focus on frailty, long-term conditions, and sub-acute presentations, supporting patients at the interface of community and acute services.
Completion of the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust ACP competency framework is required to progress to a Band 8a. A full UK driving licence and access to a car are essential for community visits as part of the role.
Whilst this post is being advertised at Band 8a, we would also consider applications from experienced clinicians who demonstrate the potential to develop into the role. For the right candidate with significant clinical experience, we may consider appointing at Band 7 in a trainee capacity, with progression to Band 8a on successful completion of agreed competencies and portfolio requirements.
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Clinical
To deliver and participate in clinical care of patients
Provide a level of advanced and comprehensive assessment, based on a specialist body of knowledge, under supervision.
Direct responsibility for the management of patients within the Virtual Ward case load and for the supervision of junior members of the multidisciplinary team
To appropriately assess, examine, investigate, diagnose and treat patients, resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations.
Order and interpret investigations, laboratory tests, x-rays and act on results as appropriate.
Initiate drug therapy/medication within the parameters of agreed clinical guidelines and in accordance with present legislation supply and prescribing of medicines.
To contribute to the development and improvement of systems and processes that facilitates patient flow.
Maintain own clinical development by keeping abreast of new treatments and technologies
To improve the quality of the patient experience by identifying and meeting the individual clinical needs of patients.
To rigorously review all aspects of the patient's plan of care and identify and address issues that may result in a sub-standard service.
Contribute to the review and development of integrated care pathways and clinical guidelines to ensure a standardised approach.
Under supervision practice with confidence and competence within your professional guidelines and code of conduct (NMC/HCPC/GPhC)
To ensure that accurate documentation and records of patient care are kept.
To assist in the development of assessment systems, processes and tools within the clinical setting and adjacent clinical/assessment areas.
Ability to adapt specialist clinical knowledge and skills to different clinical settings and influence service delivery and patient care.
Actively implement effective systems and processes for infection control management and relevant audit within their clinical area.
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
Communicate patient's conditions verbally and in writing to other members of the health care team and contribute to the decision-making processes in patient management. Acting as an advocate for patients and colleagues.
Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance e.g., patient liaison service, and provide information in an accurate format to all patients.
Be able to anticipate barriers to effective communication and take action to improve communication.
1. Management and Leadership
Choose an area of special interest within advanced clinical practice with the intention to develop and take forward in your ACP role, also taking into consideration the needs of the service.
To develop own leadership skills within the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Team.
Contribute in the development of a specialist service and act as a change agent and facilitate the change process whilst encouraging others to be innovative and adaptable in the approach to change.
Contribute to evidence-based policies and procedures specifically required by the team.
Contribute to development of clinical competencies for junior staff working within the team.
Develop and maintain effective communication with the multidisciplinary team to ensure high standards of care.
Work collaboratively with representatives of other clinical areas, disciplines and services to provide a seamless pathway of care.
Participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff.
To be conversant with all Trust policies and procedures and ensure they are correctly implemented.
To represent the Trust on National Forums related to Advanced Clinical Practice.
Adhere to confidentiality at all times with sensitive personal data
Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
1. Education and Training
To help identify, plan and assist in the implementation of goals for clinical development of staff working within the designated clinical setting and adjacent assessment areas.
To develop and maintain a positive learning environment for the team by providing support, ensuring developmental requirements of junior staff are addressed.
To assist in the provision of clinical supervision and provide the opportunity to reflect and discuss areas of practice.
To participate in teaching programmes for nursing in the care of patients with a range of clinical presentations as defined by the clinical area of practice.
1. Audit and Research
Contribute/assist in the development of multidisciplinary research and clinical audit in the clinical setting and adjacent assessment areas, implementing effective and evidence-based practice.
Develop research skills and provide support and appropriate implementation strategies for changes in clinical practice.
Participate and contribute to any on-going regional and national research to evaluate the effectiveness of care strategies related to the patient experience
To share best practice; through publications and attendance/presentation opportunities at conference level.
1. Resource Management
To apply sound financial evaluation to proposed service developments.
Maintain accurate records in relation to equipment used and maintained.
1. Risk Management
To ensure that systems are in place to manage, reduce and prevent clinical risk to self and others.
To monitor incidents highlighted by members of the team and communicate to appropriate areas to address risk issues.
Promote best practice in health & safety, utilising unit and Trust policies.