Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Whitehaven

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. This innovative role sits within a developing and integrated cancer pathway, where the post holder will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to patients presenting with oncological emergencies, complications of systemic anti-cancer treatments, and patients on the Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) and Non-Site-Specific (NSS) cancer pathways.

Working as an autonomous practitioner within a multidisciplinary team, the ACP will provide expert clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management across acute and ambulatory care settings, supporting early cancer diagnosis and improving patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with acute oncology presentations.
• Work autonomously and collaboratively across Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit, wards, outpatient areas, and ambulatory settings.
• Support early identification and management of oncological emergencies (e.g. neutropenic sepsis, spinal cord compression).
• Play a key role in the assessment, investigation and coordination of patients referred via MUO and Non-Site-Specific (NSS) cancer pathways, ensuring timely diagnostics and onward referral.
• Work closely with site-specific MDTs, diagnostics, and cancer services to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Deliver evidence-based care and contribute to reducing avoidable admissions and improving patient flow.
• Prescribe independently (or work towards independent prescribing) in line with Trust policies.
• Act as a clinical expert resource for colleagues across the Trust.
• Contribute to education, training and development of staff within acute, oncology, and urgent care services.
• Lead and participate in audit, quality improvement, and service development initiatives, particularly in relation to early diagnosis pathways (MUO/NSS).
• Ensure safe, effective communication with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team.

About us:

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation.
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust.
• A positive patient experience every time.
• A great place to work.
• Managing our money well.

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• Registered healthcare practitioner with 5 years post education experience in either Cancer/acute medicine or surgery.
• Educated to Master's degree level or willingness to undertake as part of their role in AOS.
• Portfolio demonstrates continual professional development.
• Proven Leadership skills.
• ILS provider.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Professional knowledge acquired through masters/degree/diploma.
• IT literate.
• Experience of mentoring and developing staff.
• Current Professional registration.
• Evidence of management skills gained through theoretical knowledge or experience.
• Experience in acute medicine or surgery.
• Experience managing critically ill or unwell patients.

Skills and Aptitude:

• Ability to problem solve, analyse, compare and interpret complex information before making a decision.
• Prioritise clinical workload and assess associated risks, taking appropriate action.
• Ability to present information to individuals and groups as required using appropriate resources.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, the public and staff by using negotiation, persuasion, motivation, reassurance, facilitation and influencing skills.
• Works with the consultants and junior doctors in ensuring awareness of junior doctor numbers, reporting appropriately where deficits are noted.
• Liaise with consultants/senior team members in organising work.
• Ensure awareness of consultant plans for their client groups and communicate plans to junior medical staff for their completion where the ACP is unable to complete.
• Contribute to policy and practice changes.
• Participate in audits and research within own clinical area, use the results of research to inform own clinical practice.

Other requirements:

• Cross site cover.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

• 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years.
• Flexible working Scheme.
• NHS Discounts.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work.
• Excellent opportunities for development.
• Competitive NHS Pension scheme.
• Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems.