Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and proactive individual to become part of the Critical Care team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, as a trainee Advanced Critical Care Practitioner (tACCP). The Critical Care unit is a newly purpose-built unit, comprising of 16 side rooms supporting level 2 and 3 patients.

The appointed tACCP will have a nominated Consultant Educational Supervisor, as well as a qualified ACCP Mentor throughout the training program. You will be expected to complete a Master's degree by an accredited Higher Education Institute (HEI) and will receive funding and study leave to facilitate this (Candidates must meet the essential requirements for the course as outlined by the University). You will be supported to achieve aligned Faculty of Intensive Care (FICM) ACCP competencies, alongside completing additional courses to support you in your practice. Progression into a band 8a ACCP role will be subject to satisfactory completion of the ACCP program, including achievement of a Master's degree and accredited registration with FICM ACCP.

Please note Interviews for this role are to be held on Wednesday 19th August, this is the only available date for interview.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and compassionate registered healthcare professional to join our Critical Care Advanced Practice Team. This is an exciting opportunity to develop into an ACCP, working within a supportive multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for critically ill patients.

The successful candidate will undertake a 30-month Advanced Clinical Practitioner training programme, including the Advanced Practice (Critical Care) MSc pathway at the University of Salford. Throughout the programme, you will be supported by experienced ACCP's, Consultants, and the wider Critical Care team to develop the advanced clinical knowledge, technical skills, and professional capabilities required to practise autonomously.

Applicants must be registered with the NMC or the HCPC and be eligible to undertake the Non-medical prescribing qualification as part of the training programme. You will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, excellent communication and teamwork skills, and a passion for delivering outstanding care to critically ill patients and their families.

About us
The Trainee will be based in the general Critical Care Unit at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and will work under supervision from a senior ACCP and Consultant supervisor. They will attend the University of Salford for a 30month Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care pathway) Masters level course via the Apprenticeship route.

Job responsibilities
Communication:
To communicate effectively with all grades of staff both within the Trust and other Trusts, including ward staff, AHPs, Surgical and Medical Consultants, Divisional and Directorate Managers on all matters concerning Critical Care. To communicate effectively and in a timely fashion with patients/parents/carers as the need arises. Use reassurance and negotiation skills with tact over the telephone and face to face: a calm and empathic approach is essential. To be empathetic and reassuring when communicating highly sensitive condition related information and advice to patients, carers and relatives.

Clinical: under immediate/local supervision during training, distant on qualification:
To evaluate and/ or collect information from the physiological assessment, patient history, diagnostic data and identify relevant problems of critically ill patients. To use appropriate clinical decision making to initiate appropriate management / treatment To work competently in the role of ACCP, being aware of the boundaries of the role, referring patients appropriately to other healthcare professionals as required. To successfully complete the non-medical prescribing course in year 2 of the MSc. To initiate and subsequently manage mechanical ventilation, to include monitoring blood gases and altering ventilator settings to ensure optimal ventilation. To manage admission to and discharge from the Critical Care Unit after consultation with the Consultant in charge of the units. To perform procedures common to the Critical Care environment including but not limited to: peripheral and central venous access, arterial cannulation, nasogastric tube insertion. To assist with chest drainage, lumbar puncture, ascitic drainage and sampling from the abdominal or pleural cavities. To undertake intra-hospital transfer of the critically ill patient as deemed appropriate and within their limitations, following completion of Safe Critically Ill Transfer Training (SCITT) training. To recognise and take appropriate actions with reference to complications using appropriate referral system. To interpret and utilise data obtained from effective use of current invasive and non- invasive monitoring equipment initiating appropriate management. To request and interpret laboratory and radiological tests as required. To assimilate patient data and initiate clinical management plans for critically ill patients. To become a current ALS provider. To assist in the management of paediatric patients, including PBLS and stabilisation until either transfer to the Critical Care unit, or until a retrieval team arrive.

Quality & Patient Safety:
To actively participate in the patient safety agenda for the trust, promoting same amongst colleagues and team. Work within the Critical Care team to reduce incidence of patient harm events by providing expert knowledge, skills, teaching and leadership skills eg; VAP scores, VIP scoring. Disseminate learning from serious incidents / adverse events to team members. Participate in strategies to improve the care of acutely ill / critically ill patients in line with National guidance. Ensure personal professional standards are maintained according to trust policies, best practice and NMC/HPC code of conduct. Ensure that any clinical concerns are reported via the trust adverse event reporting system. Ensure appropriate and comprehensive documentation is completed and maintained in accordance with agreed procedures. Actively participate in the multi-professional review of patients liaising appropriately with clinicians and other members of multidisciplinary team. Lead on initiatives to develop and promote good relationships between Critical Care Outreach, the wards and Critical Care. Be proactive in the management of resources for maximum clinical and cost effectiveness. Attend trust and departmental meetings, disseminating information to the rest of the team. Actively participate in the provision of robust audit data to help inform service provision. Contribute to other service planning activities.

Ensure record keeping is timely and accurate at all times ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained.

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management:
Provides advice or demonstrates own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced employees in own work area. To develop own leadership skills within the clinical teams in Critical Care. To contribute to the development of evidence-based policies and procedures specificallyrequired by the team. To contribute to the development of clinical competencies for junior staff. To develop and maintain effective communication with the multidisciplinary team. To work collaboratively with representatives of other clinical areas, disciplines and services to provide a seamless pathway of care. Participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff. To be conversant with all Trust policies and procedures and ensure they are correctly implemented. To represent the Trust on National and Regional Critical Care Forums related to Advanced Clinical Practice as appropriate.

Education:
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal skills to deliver a range of teaching sessions. To provide informal and formal clinical education for Critical Care staff. Be routinely involved in the education or junior doctors and ACCPs by participating in the weekly teaching sessions: M&M, journal club etc. Routinely participate in the ACCP case-based study days, sharing ideas and experiences from practice. Engage in regular evaluation of teaching activity and act on feedback to ensure delivery is appropriate to service needs.

Research/Audit:
Seek to improve the quality of service through application of best evidence. Identify areas for improvement in the management of acutely ill patients throughout the Trust participating in monthly morbidity and mortality governance meetings. Monitor the effectiveness of the role by development of appropriate audit measures. Work alongside the Research team, identifying and recruiting patients to current trails.

Training:
The employee undertakes to successfully complete the MSC in Advanced Clinical Practice at the University of Salford during the first 30 years of this employment. If the trainee is removed from the course by the University, then they will cease to be employed as a tACCP and their employment will be terminated with appropriate legal notice. Participate in the tripod line management model (ACCP, ACCP lead and Clinical Supervisor), utilising the CPD and appraisal pathway from the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, and incorporating the Trust Values and Behaviours. To undertake continuous professional development and maintain the NMC / HPC or equivalent registration annually and revalidation triennially. Identify own learning needs and set own personal development objectives in discussion with clinical supervisor and line manager, keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into own practice.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• Registered health professional qualification and registration with relevant professional governing body to undertake non medical prescribing.
• Recognised post registration qualification in Critical Care (or equivalent acute care/ Assessment course).
• BSc, minimum 2:2 classification, or, Recent study at level 7.
• Mentorship/teaching qualification.

Desirable

• Advanced Life Support.
• Paediatric Immediate Life Support.
• Management/leadership qualification.

Experience & Knowledge
Essential

• Minimum of 5 years working in an acute care setting.
• Minimum of 2 years in a senior post (Band 6/equivalent, or above)
• Demonstrate a sound clinical reasoning for a range of acute and critical care conditions.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage a range of competing demands in challenging situations, remaining calm and professional.
• Excellent clinical reasoning/clinical decision-making skills.
• Evidence of involvement in the development of guidelines and protocols.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Evidence of involvement in the development of guidelines and protocols.
• Evidence of research and audit skills and an understanding of their application to improve quality of services.
• Ability to demonstrate involvement in QI at a senior level.
• Ability to interpret diagnostic tests.

Skills & Ability
Essential

• Evidence of enhanced skills and the ability to practice with a confident and competent approach.
• Ability to work autonomously and/or within a team.
• Ability to use own initiative.
• Ability to work in an environment with rapidly changing priorities
• Ability to form professional interpersonal relationships and to forge trust with colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Effective time management skills.
• Demonstrate teaching ability

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).