Advanced Critical Care Practitioner (ACCP) | Guy\'s and St Thomas\' NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will work as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner (ACCP) within a consultant-led, multi-professional critical care team, providing expert clinical management and care to critically unwell patients, across Adult Intensive Care and trust-wide services as required.

This post is open to qualified ACCPs who have successfully completed an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care) (or equivalent) and hold Membership of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM). Applicants must be fully credentialed and eligible to practice independently within the ACCP scope of practice.

The ACCP will function autonomously within agreed clinical guidelines, while working closely with the critical care clinical team and the on-call consultant intensivist, to whom they are professionally accountable on a day-to-day basis. The post holder will participate fully in the ACCP rota, providing a high level of advanced clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and leadership within the critical care environment.

The role includes a minimum of 80% clinical commitment, with the remaining time allocated to non-clinical activities, including service development, quality improvement, education, leadership, and research. The post holder will be expected to contribute to ongoing development and sustainability of the ACCP service, support quality improvement initiatives within the department, and develop an area of specialist interest aligned with service needs.

To be an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner with MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care) (or equivalent) and Membership of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM). Fully credentialed and eligible to practice independently within the ACCP scope of practice.

• To work at a high level of advanced practice, providing clinical expertise
• To provide professional leadership and support within a multi-professional team
• To cover a 24hr, 7-day service including a combination of long days, nights and weekend shifts
• To act as a senior role model within critical care
• To contribute to the development of the ACCP role within Critical Care and the Trust
• To work across organisational departments, policies, and professional boundaries to improve the quality of patient care for critically ill patients
• To enhance continuity of patient care
• To monitor the effectiveness of the role
• To support and mentor future Advanced Critical Care Practitioners
• Understand the professional accountability and legal frameworks for advanced practice

• Work across critical care and trust-wide services as required
• Maintain professional accountability and ethical practice
• Maintain involvement in ACCP rota and multidisciplinary team activities

• To work competently in the role of ACCP, aware of role boundaries, referring patients appropriately to other healthcare professionals as required
• To perform advanced physiological assessment of critically ill patients in any location (ICU/HDU/Theatres/Recovery/Wards)
• To analyse and interpret clinical data to identify problems and inform management
• To initiate and manage treatment according to agreed protocols and guidelines
• To prescribe in line with local governance structures
• To be an ALS & CALs provider
• To perform airway management, initiate and manage mechanical ventilation, monitor blood gases, and adjust ventilator settings as needed
• To undertake intra-hospital transfer of critically ill patients as appropriate
• To manage patients with tracheostomy in ICU and ward areas, including tube changes and decannulation
• To admit to and discharge from Intensive Care, Recovery and Step Up units after consultation
• To perform procedures common to Critical Care (e.g., vascular access, bronchoscopy) and to interpret investigations and coordinate care
• To provide accurate clinical handovers and participate in the critical care MDT and handovers
• To follow Trust and Critical Care guidelines and work flexibly as part of the Critical Care Team
• To recognise and take appropriate actions for critical incidents
• To communicate complex information to patients and relatives
• To manage a caseload of discharged patients and follow up as needed

• Maintain registration, credentialing, and continued FICM Membership
• Demonstrate ongoing compliance with the national ACCP FICM Competency Framework and maintain a CPD portfolio
• Participate in regular appraisal and professional development reviews
• Engage in continuing professional development and contribute to quality improvement, education, and research
• Undertake annual appraisal and performance review

• Collaborate to develop, deliver, and evaluate Critical Care education strategy
• Maintain mandatory training relevant to advanced critical care practice
• Plan, deliver, and support formal and informal education for critical care staff
• Evaluate impact of educational activity and adapt teaching approaches as needed

• Adopt a leadership style that motivates and empowers others
• Foster a supportive working environment and effective communication within the team
• Act as a role model and promote advanced practice opportunities
• Encourage and supervise team members to develop their clinical skills

• Effectively communicate the ACCP role with patients, families, and staff
• Act as a specialist resource for the organisation
• Advocate for patient care and ensure work is completed within the agreed time frame
• Develop and review systems/policies to ensure good communication and team effectiveness
• Ensure HR policies are deployed within their sphere of responsibility
• Implement Improving Working Lives recommendations and actions from staff surveys
• Keep the Critical Care Team informed and enable feedback to improve care delivery
• Update patient health records with timely and accurate documentation, maintaining confidentiality

• Ensure constant provision of effective, high-quality care
• Support clinical changes with the multi-disciplinary team
• Develop critical care protocols and procedures with the multidisciplinary team
• Maintain and develop personal knowledge and skills; monitor and improve patient care standards
• Participate in business planning to identify areas for service development

• Undertake regular audit and research within the service
• Identify areas for service improvement and apply best evidence
• Participate in research studies and publish outcomes where appropriate
• Monitor role effectiveness through audit measures
• Identify areas of critical care practice that need research
• Be innovative in widening professional boundaries