Advanced Clinical Practitioner/Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner/Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner Band 8a Main area Advanced Clinical Practitioner Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent: Working across UH Sussex sites Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working
• Home or remote working
• Compressed hours

37.5 hours per week (Flexible working will be considered, but trainee ACP's must be able to work a minimum 30 hours per week to meet course requirements) Job ref 167-AUG25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Eastbourne Radiotherapy Treatment Unit Town Eastbourne, East Sussex, Salary Trainee position will be paid band 7 until completion on MSc Closing 03/09/:59 Interview date 23/09/2025

About our Trust

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts , we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview Join Us in Transforming Head & Neck Cancer Care in Sussex

Exciting Opportunity: Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Band 8a) or Trainee ACP (Band 7)
Base: Eastbourne and Brighton Service: Oncology (Radiotherapy)
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

We're pleased to introduce a new ACP role within an innovative Head & Neck Radiotherapy service. This new multidisciplinary team includes a Dietitian and Speech & Language Therapist, delivering pioneering care for patients receiving complex radiotherapy.

As part of the Radiotherapy Review Project, we are expanding Category 1 radiotherapy at Eastbourne Radiotherapy Unit (ERTU), improving access and reducing travel for vulnerable patients.

The ACP will lead in providing advanced, holistic care across Eastbourne and Brighton, with strong clinical supervision and links to the established Brighton team. This role offers the chance to shape services, contribute to research, and develop professionally in a supportive environment.

We welcome applications from:

Qualified ACPs (Band 8a), able to independently prescribe

Trainee ACPs ready for a fully supported development pathway, with ability to train and practice as independent prescribers

Please specify in your application which role you are applying for and how your skills meet the job description.

Main duties of the job Provide advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management of Head & Neck oncology patients undergoing radiotherapy, working autonomously within the advanced clinical practice scope.

Lead the new multidisciplinary Head & Neck radiotherapy team (ACP, Dietitian, SLT), ensuring safe, coordinated, patient-centred care.

Prescribe independently or train to do so if a Trainee ACP, initiating and adjusting treatment plans per clinical need and governance.

Identify and manage treatment toxicities and late effects such as malnutrition, dehydration, and functional decline to reduce hospitalisation risk.

Support altered airway management including tracheostomy and laryngectomy care, and site/manage nasogastric tubes for nutritional support.

Order and justify scans in line with IRMER protocols as part of assessment and monitoring.

Support palliative patients, aiding decisions on treatment cessation or de-escalation aligned with patient wishes and best practice.

Provide clinical leadership, education, and mentorship, fostering advanced practice development.

Contribute to care pathway design and evaluation within the Radiotherapy Case for Change for evidence-based, cost-effective delivery.

Collaborate with the Head & Neck team in Brighton and across UHSussex for consistent, equitable care.

Engage in governance, audit, service improvement, and professional development including MSc completion if a trainee.

Working for our organisation At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities Why This Matters
Head & Neck radiotherapy is complex, with risks including malnutrition, dehydration, hospitalisation, and functional decline. The ACP role is critical to improving safety, outcomes, and quality of life through expert multidisciplinary care.

Passionate clinicians with Head & Neck oncology experience

Commitment to collaborative, patient-centred care

Interest in innovation, service design, and research

Motivation to build a Sussex-wide Head & Neck team

Essential: ability to train and practice as an independent prescriber

What We Offer

A chance to shape a new care model in a new team

Funded MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice for trainee ACPs, supporting entry requirements (usually a first degree or recent Level 7 study)

Support for independent prescribing training if eligible

Strong supervision, MDT support, and peer learning

A values-led organisation committed to wellbeing, innovation, and development

Registered with a UK professional healthcare body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)

Minimum 3 years post-registration experience

Normally hold a first degree (or agreed study plan for recent/non-graduates)

English and Maths Level 2 qualifications (Ofqual, CCEA, or Qualifications Wales regulated)

Eligible to train/practice as an independent prescriber

Experience in Head & Neck cancer management

Strong leadership, autonomy, and resilience demonstrated through:
• Service development or pathway redesign
• Clinical leadership in MDTs
• Managing complex caseloads independently
• Mentoring colleagues or students
• Maintaining patient safety under pressure

Person specification Qualifications/ Experience

• Current HCPC/NMC registration (or studying to obtain)
• Willing to undertake MSc in Advanced Practice, supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses
• Willing to undertake Independent non-medical prescriber
• IRMER or willing to undertake (Imaging Referral by Non- Medical Healthcare Professionals) training complete
• Willing to undertake Non- medical authorisation of blood products training completed or willing to undertake
• Degree/ evidence of recent studies at Level 6
• Experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
. click apply for full job details