Job Description

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will, pioneer and developing clinical services and be responsive to the changing needs of patients and their families.



The post holder is an experienced Nurse, acting within their professional boundaries, providing safe care, clinical decision-making expert care, including assessment and diagnostic skills.



They will provide consistent and personalised service for patients ensuring patients receive the best care from the best team or person.



Practicing autonomously as a core member of the multi-disciplinary team, the role requires a high level of competence in specific areas of knowledge, nursing expertise and clinical decision-making.



The post holder will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. They will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing clinical leadership as required.



Decision making utilises critical and analytical judgment processes, developed by undertaking Masters education, in order to effectively plan, implement and evaluate the clinical management of individual patients.



Advanced Clinical Practitioners continually recognise and exercise accountability for professional judgments within NMC code of professional conduct.



Provide expert advice and support in clinical practice



Be a role model for all staff through provision of high standards of professional practice Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop services and quality of care delivered within varying environments Perform comprehensive assessment of patient needs, plan implement and evaluate care delivery Involve patients/carers and relatives in the planning and delivery of care. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in relation to the CSF pathway, treatments and surgical procedures. Participate in the development of services and implement changes service delivery Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources. Provide line management for the Hydrocephalus clinical nurse specialist team Continually monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care, through benchmarking, audit and research. Provide education and development opportunities for colleagues Maintain registration and comply with NMC professional code of conduct To partake in, and critically evaluate recent research, to be used to enhance best practice.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.



With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.



Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of evidence-based nursing care. Provide expert advice and support in clinical practice by varying methods of communication Participate in the education and training of other staff members Be a role model for all staff through provision of high standards of professional practice Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop services and quality of care delivered within varying environments

Clinical



To be an expert practitioner and role model in the field of Neurosciences ensuring the delivery of high standard patient care. Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs, plan implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs. Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records Involve patients/carers and relatives in the planning and delivery of care. Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met, especially in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements. Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives and professionals across health and social services. Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and treatment protocols. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in relation to the CSF pathway, treatments and surgical procedures.

Leadership



Provide specialist, clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, and support to patients and carers/relatives. Provide people with information and support regarding their condition. Participate in the development of services and assist the highly specialist nurse to implement change service delivery Utilise clinical supervision from nursing colleagues within the Neurosurgical Nurse Specialist team. Participate with regional links in the community to promote and increase awareness of the services provided to those patients who have a diagnosis of Hydrocephalus Participate in the planning and delivery of an effective Hydrocephalus Service Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources. Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the clinical area. Provide line management for the Hydrocephalus clinical nurse specialist team

Clinical Governance



Continually monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care, through benchmarking, audit and research. Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others. Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.

Education and Development



Provide education and development opportunities for colleagues on the ward Develop own "expert" clinical knowledge and skills and participate in the development of others clinical knowledge Promote reflective practice by facilitating discussion about good practice and problem areas within clinical supervision environment Provide information, education and support to recently diagnosed patients and their families. Maintain up to date skills and knowledge and maintain awareness of professional issues Identify and agree training and development needs as part of Personal Development Plans Maintain registration and comply with NMC professional code of conduct Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regard to mandatory training and PREP requirements Attend training sessions to build upon existing clinical skills to further enhance clinical practice.

Research:

Initiate and participate in any future projects that may occur within the area. To evaluate and critique recent research, to be used to enhance best practice. Actively investigate current practice, using research papers and evidence data. To be involved in relevant research projects promoting the role of clinician and presenting appropriate papers. To identify areas in which research is viable.

To be competent in literature review techniques and research methodology.