Job Description

The closing date is 15th Oct 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) 21 October 2025

Job summary

---------------


Are you a highly skilled and autonomous health professional ready to take your career to the next level?


We are seeking a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join our Older Persons Community Mental Health Team. This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of clinical care, delivering high-quality, person-centred services to frailty patients in the community.


Advanced clinical practice is delivered by experienced, registered health and care professionals. It involves high autonomy and complex decision-making, supported by a master's level qualification or equivalent. This encompasses four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research, with demonstrated core capabilities and clinical competence.


Practitioners manage care in partnership with individuals, families, and carers, analysing complex problems across settings to deliver innovative solutions that improve outcomes. They operate with autonomy in contexts of complexity, uncertainty, and risk, holding accountability for their decisions (Health Education England, 2017).


Course details - Please see the link - Advanced clinical practitioner (integrated degree) / Skills England


This role is ideal for candidates with a master's level qualification in advanced clinical practice, non-medical prescribing certification, and a passion for improving outcomes for older adults. If you're ready to influence change and shape the future of community mental health services, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

-----------------------------------------


As an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) with our Older Persons Community Mental Health Team (OPCMHT) in Taunton and West Somerset, your role is pivotal in delivering high-quality, person-centred care to frailty patients in the community, underpinned by the four pillars of advanced clinical practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research, delivering high-quality care to frailty patients in the community.


Possess the expertise to plan, coordinate, and prescribe treatment, and will lead the development of integrated community nursing pathways aligned with best practice and evidence, working closely with stakeholders and care providers.


As a core member of the multidisciplinary team, you will:

Assess, diagnose, and manage complex mental health presentations Prescribe treatments and coordinate care plans Lead the development of integrated patient pathways aligned with best practice Provide expert clinical leadership, education, and mentorship to colleagues Engage in research, audit, and service improvement initiatives

You'll be expected to work independently, making complex decisions in uncertain situations, while collaborating with GPs, community services, and stakeholders to ensure holistic care delivery.

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------


Key Responsibilities


Clinical Care & Decision-Making

Assess, diagnose, and manage complex mental health presentations Prescribe treatments and coordinate care plans Request and interpret diagnostic tests e.g., x-rays, bloods, scans Refer patients to specialist services as needed Provide expert advice and second opinions to colleagues

Leadership & Service Development

Lead the development of integrated patient pathways aligned with evidence-based practice Act as a clinical role model and mentor within the multidisciplinary team Support service redesign and innovation across boundaries Promote a culture of continuous improvement and organisational learning

Education & Research

Deliver education and training to staff across the neighbourhood Engage in research, audit, and quality improvement initiatives Disseminate best practice findings and contribute to evidence-based care Support the development of advanced practice roles across the Trust

Collaboration & Communication

Work closely with GPs, community services, and stakeholders Communicate complex clinical information clearly and sensitively Foster strong professional relationships across teams and disciplines

Eligibility Requirements

Master's degree in Advanced Clinical Practice or working towards Non-medical prescribing qualification Proven experience in managing older CMHT patients Strong clinical reasoning, leadership, and communication skills Commitment to Trust values: Kindness, Respect, and Teamwork

This is a dynamic and rewarding role for a practitioner ready to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in older persons' mental health care.


Trainee course details


Advanced clinical practitioner (integrated degree) / Skills England


Educational providers for the tACP apprenticeship for information and guidance, to be advised at a later date.


Advanced Clinical Practitioner - MSc Advanced Clinical Practice - UWE Bristol: Courses


Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship - University of Plymouth

Person specification

------------------------

Qualifications

#

Essential

Membership of a relevant professional body.


Relevant degree or diploma.


Master's degree in Advanced Clinical Practice.


Teaching qualification or equivalent experience.


Non-medical prescribing course.


Physical examination course.


Maths and English at GCSE level.




#

Desirable

Experience as a chief or principal investigator in research.


Experience developing advanced practice guidelines, protocols, and pathways of care.

Experience

#

Essential

Proven leadership and management experience with older persons CMHT patients.


Demonstrated educational support to others.


Experience in change management within a leadership role.


Participation in research and audit activities, with a clear understanding of the processes involved.


Experience as a chief or principal investigator in research.


Good understanding of the NHS framework and current government policy.


Familiarity with current local and national healthcare issues.




#

Desirable

Experience in developing advanced practice guidelines, protocols, and pathways of care.

Additional Criteria

#

Essential

Skills & Abilities:

Advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.


Ability to manage distressing situations and deliver unwelcome news.


Strong prioritisation and problem-solving abilities.


Ability to work independently and take accountability.


Effective communication and interpersonal skills.


Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive attitude.


Competence in using technology to improve care standards.


Ability to manage challenging behaviour and complex caseloads.


Good time management and punctuality.


Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.

Communication Skills:

Demonstrated proficiency in English language.

Physical Skills:

Keyboard proficiency.


Physical capability to perform described duties.


Ability to concentrate for extended periods and manage frequent interruptions.

Other Requirements:

Access to a vehicle for travel within and outside Trust boundaries.


Ability to work under pressure with competing priorities.

Supporting Behaviours:

Alignment with Trust values: Kindness, Respect, and Teamwork.


#

Desirable

Qualifications:

Teaching qualification or equivalent experience.

Experience:

Experience developing advanced practice guidelines, protocols, and care pathways.

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.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Angela Cornell


Angela.Cornell@SomersetFT.NHS.UK


07917053726

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 7

Salary

47810.00 to 54710.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-YE-3226

Job locations

Harrison House



Taunton

Somerset

TA1 2PX