Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester

This is an exciting opportunity to join our established Acute Oncology Advanced Practitioner team to deliver expert nursing care to patients with acute oncology issues relating to their treatments or disease progression. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care and experience and although oncology experience is advantageous it is not essential as you will be supported with an extended supernumerary period to develop the required skills. Experience in acute care or medicine is transferable.

The successful candidate will have completed formal ACP training and have achieved a master’s in advanced clinical practice, enabling them to work autonomously in the planning and delivery of care for this complex group of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This post will specifically support our Hotline service and be integral in the development of the service.

Successful candidates will become integral members of our team of Acute Oncology Advanced Practitioners and provide clinical assessment and support to the care and treatment of a diverse caseload of patients requiring specialist acute oncology care. They will demonstrate highly developed specialist knowledge and skills, be integral in the early identification of complications and the treatment management of acutely unwell oncology patients, formulate clinical decisions, manage acute illness, and deliver expert nursing care to renal medical oncology patients with advanced or relapsed disease. They will order investigations, make appropriate and timely referrals, maintain relevant clinical records, and support the role through non‑medical prescribing. The post holder will provide clinical expertise for developing and enhancing the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the direct clinical management of acute oncology patients from first presentation at the hospital until discharge, including history taking, systematic physical examination, and formulating clinical management plans.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate interventions and/or treatments for complex issues or serious illness.
• Review and interpret all available information using systematic reasoning to make a working and differential diagnosis.
• Develop and record a treatment plan consistent with the outcome of assessment and the most probable diagnosis.
• Prescribe drugs within the capacity of non‑medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks.
• Communicate complex clinical and supporting information or findings to patients and significant others according to individual situations.
• Ensure patients receive appropriate information and support in relation to their illness and treatment.
• Arrange or refer the patient for appropriate diagnostic tests, investigations, and other professional colleagues.
• Check and interpret test results and take action as clinically appropriate.
• Perform clinical procedures safely according to defined protocols, including arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, oxygen therapy.
• Prepare accurate and concise reports, both verbal and written.
• Plan and manage own workload and caseload flexibly to meet patient needs.
• Liaise with other members of the multi‑professional team to facilitate effective communication and patient‑focused service.
• Demonstrate self‑management, prioritising dynamically within the oncology and acute oncology teams.

Leadership & Management

• Work within professional codes and policies at both national and Trust levels.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of oncology and acute medicine practice and take responsibility for professional development.
• Maintain a portfolio to fulfil requirements of professional regulatory bodies for Advanced Practitioner registration.
• Maintain safe practice and development through regular peer review with the medical consultant supervisor.
• Liaise and collaborate with multi‑professional disciplines and outside agencies.
• Participate in clinical audit to evaluate service effectiveness and inform future developments.
• Develop clinical protocols, standards, and guidelines in own area.
• Contribute to trust committees, clinical progression, and policy development.
• Act in clinical risk management processes and serve as a role model for advanced practice roles locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Encourage colleagues to seek guidance and solutions to problems and promote good practice internally and externally.
• Identify own development needs, set objectives, and pursue training and courses in line with Trust policies.
• Act as a resource for the acute oncology nursing team, raise quality issues, and report related risks to improve standards.
• Inform and influence clinical governance and maintain quality standards within the clinical area.

Research

• Initiate and support clinical audit and research to evaluate service effectiveness and address any shortfalls.
• Engage in medical and/or nurse/AHP‑led research in oncology and disseminate results.
• Implement research findings appropriate to practice, measure and evaluate work using evidence‑based projects.
• Maintain accurate records and provide data for statistical analysis.

Education and Development

• Participate in training and education programmes such as Journal Club, Annual OSCE, Non‑Medical Prescribing, Communication Skills Training, Informed Consent, Mandatory Training.
• Identify development needs, create a personal development plan, and undertake continuing professional development.
• Assist in identifying colleagues’ training needs and mentor, supervise, and support skill development.
• Provide specialist training locally, nationally, and internationally; develop and deliver teaching programmes for all disciplines.
• Support, supervise, and assess clinical competencies of AACU nursing staff and multidisciplinary team members.

Equality and Diversity

• Recognise and promote the importance of people’s rights and respect diversity.
• Act in ways that acknowledge and respect expressed beliefs, preferences, and choices.
• Challenge behaviour that undermines others’ rights and address discrimination where necessary.

Health and Safety

• Implement Health and Safety policies, record and report accidents promptly, and ensure equipment is safe.
• Act immediately on adverse incident reporting and comply with organisational policies.
• Maintain health, safety, and security of self and others in the work area; contribute to the risk register.

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The job will change over time to reflect the changing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as personal development needs of the post holder.