Qualified or Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Qualified or Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner Band 8a

Main area Cardiac Surgery Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (Weekday, weekends, nights and twilight shifts) Job  
-JUN
26

Employer:

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £49,387 - £64,750 Band 7 trainee ACP or Band 8a qualified ACP Salary period Yearly Closing 05/07/2026 23:59

We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for Trainee or Qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP) to join our dynamic Cardiothoracic team in Brighton. This unique role covers the full cardiac patient journey, from admission to post-operative care and discharge planning.

As an ACP, you will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, patient-centred care in various clinical settings, including admission, theatres, cardiac intensive care, and step‑down wards. Your responsibilities will include clinical decision‑making, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing care coordination.

This role is perfect for those with a passion for cardiothoracic surgery and acute care. You will work alongside an experienced ACP team, consultants, anaesthetists, specialist nurses, and allied health professionals, with opportunities for leadership, innovation, and professional growth. Trainee ACPs will be supported through an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, while qualified ACPs can lead service improvements and engage in education and research.

Strong communication, critical thinking, and a compassionate approach are essential. Experience in cardiothoracic, surgical, or acute care is desirable but not essential.

This is a progressive post, commencing at Band 7 and advancing to Band 8a upon successful completion of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice pathway and achievement of the required ACAT competencies.

Trainee ACPs undertake supervised clinical assessments, developing skills to formulate differential diagnoses and management plans for cardiac patients. You will participate in care across the full cardiac pathway, from admission to post‑operative care in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and recovery in step‑down ward, under expert supervision. Trainees engage in structured placements and academic study as part of a nationally recognised MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.

During training, you'll build core competencies in interpreting diagnostics, recognising patient deterioration, and contributing to multidisciplinary decision‑making. Trainees also participate in quality improvement, audit, and evidence‑based practice, with opportunities to present work at internal and regional events.

Qualified ACPs independently assess, diagnose, and manage complex cardiac conditions across the entire patient pathway. You will deliver expert care in CICU and ward settings, managing patients from admission to discharge, including providing onsite ACP cover overnight in CICU. Qualified ACPs lead ward rounds, apply advanced clinical skills to manage cardiac patients, and interpret a broad range of diagnostics. You will offer clinical leadership, mentor trainees and junior staff, and drive service development through research and audit.

ACPs represent the service at local, national, and international forums, promoting innovation and best practice.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as core values. We provide a supportive environment, inclusive staff networks, and opportunities such as a buddy system to help new members settle in. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level
3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship is provided only to applicants who meet the UKVI requirements.

You will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of patients with a wide range of cardiac conditions. This includes detailed history taking, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests such as…