Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job
We have an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join our dynamic and well-established Thoracic Surgery ACP team.

We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated senior nurse or allied health professional with a keen interest in thoracic surgery and demonstrable leadership skills.

This role offers the opportunity to develop into an autonomous advanced practitioner within a highly respected multidisciplinary team, providing expert care to patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures, including lung cancer surgery, and those requiring management following chest trauma.

As a Trainee ACP, you will undertake a Master's degree in Advanced Clinical Practice while gaining extensive clinical experience and support from our consultant thoracic surgeons and experienced ACP team. You will play a pivotal role in the delivery of advanced clinical care through ACP-led ward rounds, dedicated thoracic ward attender clinics, and participation in the wider surgical service.

This role is very well supported by our Consultant Thoracic Surgeons and Lead ACP, providing an excellent environment for both personal and professional development. You will be encouraged to develop advanced clinical decision-making skills, expand your scope of practice, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the service.

If you are motivated to help shape the future of thoracic services and make a meaningful difference to patient outcomes, we would welcome your application

About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities
As a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner, you will be expected to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with the four pillars of Advanced Practice (NHS England 2025), supported through a structured programme of education, supervision and clinical development:

Clinical Practice developing advanced clinical knowledge and skills to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care and support complex clinical decision-making within your scope of practice. Leadership and Management contributing to service improvement, service development, and the effective delivery of high-quality patient care. Research applying evidence-based practice, supporting audit and quality improvement initiatives, and contributing to research activities within the speciality.

Education developing yourself and supporting the learning and development of colleagues, patients, and carers through teaching, supervision, and shared learning opportunities.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a passion for delivering high-quality patient care.

As a forward-thinking department, we are committed to continuous service improvement and actively support involvement in audit, quality improvement projects, service development initiatives, and research activities. We have a strong culture of learning and innovation, and our consultant team are passionate advocates for advanced clinical practice, providing mentorship and support throughout your ACP training journey.

The Thoracic Surgery ACP team provides ward-based clinical care to patients before and after thoracic surgery, seven days a week, as an integral part of the surgical team. This model delivers significant benefits for patients through enhanced continuity of care, timely admissions, seamless inpatient management, and efficient discharge planning.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious nurse/allied healthcare professional who is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and wishes to develop a rewarding career in advanced clinical practice within a specialist surgical setting.

Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Registered Healthcare Professional on relevant part of NMC / HCPC register
• Completion of Healthcare Degree (or equivalent - Minimum 120 credits at L6 or evidence of Masters level study)
• Committed and eligible for participation in and completion of MSc in area of speciality
• Higher Education Institute approved course in supporting learners in practice or the ability to Provide evidence of: oSupporting a range of learners in practice oSupporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Evidence of on-going personal and professional development
• Basic keyboard skills with knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Significant Post Registration experience within chosen specialty
• Broad awareness of wider Trust initiatives / pressures
• Coaching/leadership experience

Desirable

• Completion of HTPA Competencies
• Independent Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification
• ILS trained
• Evidence of ability to change or initiate practice
• Registered on MSc Pathway as an experienced practitioner
• Further study at Level 7 within relevant pathway
• Leadership qualification (RCN, LDC, Edward Jenner, Elizabeth Garret Anderson, Nye Bevan)
• Maths and English Level 2 or have recognised equivalence from the ENIC process

Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).