Job summary
This is a newly developed role for an experienced leader with Advanced Practice experience to undertake the post of 8b Clinical Lead - Advancing Practice on a secondment or fixed-term basis until 31 March 2027.

You will collaborate closely with the Associate Director for Advancing Practice, providing care delivery and integration leadership and oversight of the Advancing Clinical Practice workforce and actively shaping the Trust-wide Advancing Practice strategy.

This includes responsibility for leading the operational management of the Advanced practitioner (AP) and enhanced clinical practitioner (ECP) workforce, ensuring robust clinical and professional governance, effective risk management, and comprehensive oversight in line with Trust standards and regulatory requirements.

The role will proactively identify and address operational risks, reinforce assurance mechanisms, and establish a well-defined framework for leadership at both clinical and professional levels.

You will provide robust clinical guidance and support across care delivery units employing and hosting AP/ECP staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality care and compliance with best practice protocols.

You will take a lead role to enhanced and advanced practitioners - both qualified and in training, across multi-professional professional backgrounds.

The proposed interview date for this vacancy is 16th September 2026

Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will provide comprehensive senior clinical leadership support for the Director for Clinical Operations and Nursing, both within the organisation and externally, in line with the responsibilities expected at this level.

You will deliver operational and professional leadership for Advanced and Enhanced level practitioners across DCHS care delivery, ensuring effective oversight and high standards of practice.

You will be asked to exercise responsibility for the day-to-day clinical and professional governance of Advancing Practice, maintaining safe, high-quality standards and supporting the delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives.

And take a leading role within the Care Delivery and Integration Leadership Team, supporting Senior Operational Leads and actively contributing to care delivery and integration workforce planning and development at a senior level.

About us
Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

The role is currently funded until the end of the financial year, and we would therefore appreciate candidates speaking to their line manager if they wish to apply for this role as a secondment opportunity, as we'd like to aim to have someone in post around October this year is possible.

For informal enquiries/discussion please contact Clare Hermans, Clinical Director for Advancing Practice at DCHS. Email clarehermans@nhs.net to arrange a telephone conversation.

Interview date: Wednesday 16th September.

The aim is for the successful candidate to start in role as soon as possible on a secondment if you're already an NHS employee, or on a fixed term contract for non-NHS employed staff until 31 March 2027.

Job responsibilities
You will demonstrate expert knowledge and skills, acting as a role model and driving continuous professional development and improvement across the workforce.

The candidate will have proven experience of working in strategy and service development, and this role will:

• Provide care delivery leadership in the implementation of the DCHS Advancing Practice Strategy, working collaboratively with the MPDT and operational services to ensure delivery aligns with organisational objectives and national priorities.
• Take a proactive role in the development, review, and dissemination of clinical policies, guidelines, and supervision frameworks, ensuring these reflect current best practice and regulatory standards.
• Undertake systematic identification of service gaps and lead the design and implementation of evidence-based solutions to address organisational and system-wide needs.
• Champion workforce development initiatives by leading on the creation, delivery, and evaluation of advanced practice training pathways and capability frameworks, ensuring this support the progression and retention of staff.
• Promote and maintain consistency in standards and expectations across all levels of advanced practice, ensuring robust governance and quality assurance mechanisms are in place.
• Facilitate the embedding of learning into practice through effective supervision, mentorship, and support for trainee roles, as well as by fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
• Work in partnership with operational leads and managers across the organisation to ensure equitable access to support, clarity of expectations, and consistency of development opportunities at all levels of practice.
• Lead on the development and implementation of quality measures to provide safe and effective oversight of Advancing Practice.

See full job description attached.

Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential

• MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent
• Registered Health Professional

Desirable

• Teaching / mentorship qualification
• Evidence of leadership development

Experience & Knowledge
Essential

• Experience working as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner
• Experience supervising, mentoring or managing practitioners
• Understanding of governance, assurance and capability frameworks
• Involvement in service development and quality improvement
• Awareness of community and primary care settings
• Experience of being in a leadership role

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.

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.

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

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.