Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) to join our Cardiothoracic Surgery Service.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious clinician who is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and advancing clinical practice within a dynamic multidisciplinary environment.

This unique dual-role position combines advanced clinical practice on the cardiothoracic surgical wards with operational leadership and coordination of the In-House Urgent (IHU) cardiothoracic surgical service. The post holder will be responsible for delivering expert clinical care to elective and urgent surgical patients throughout their inpatient journey, whilst ensuring the effective management of the IHU pathway.

Working closely with consultants, nursing teams and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will provide autonomous clinical decision-making, facilitate patient flow, coordinate urgent admissions and support the delivery of safe, timely and patient-centred care across the service.

Applicants who have completed Level 7 modules and are committed to working towards a full Centre for Advancing Practice accredited Master's qualification are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will receive support to develop their advanced practice portfolio and continue their professional growth within a supportive and forward-thinking team
Main duties of the job

• Undertake advanced clinical assessment, clerking and management of elective and urgent cardiothoracic surgical patients.
• Independently assess, diagnose and develop management plans within your scope of practice.
• Request, interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations.
• Prescribe medications as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber.
• Support timely patient progression through the surgical pathway, including complex discharge planning.
• Work alongside consultants, nursing teams and allied health professionals to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Respond to patient deterioration and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Participate in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and service development initiatives.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and support to trainee ACPs and junior colleagues.
• Contribute to the education and training of staff, students and patients.
• Promote evidence-based practice and support research activities within the service.

Consideration for applicants without essential courses for Non-Medical Prescribing will be considered for a trainee development post as a Band 6

About us
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

For a street view tour: Apply through our website
Details
Date posted: 08 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 175-2627-NS1863
Job locations: Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree level or above related Health Professional qualification plus postgraduate specialist training, experience, short courses relevant to enhanced and/or advanced practice at master's equivalent level.
• OR equivalent highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge or relevant practical experience
• Leadership/management training and/or experience.
• Registered with professional body, eg NMC, HCPC

Experience
Essential

• To be a clinical expert within own field of practice
• To be a recognised advanced practitioner, statutory registered healthcare professionals must undergo training to align to the NHS England multiprofessional framework and demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours that align with the four pillars of advanced practice: Leadership, Clinical Practice, Research, Education
• Ability to lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team as well as mentor and educate junior staff including clinical supervision.
• Knowledge and application of clinical governance frameworks including Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), policy and procedure, audit and quality assurance
• Knowledge and application of safeguarding policies and procedures, particularly those related to vulnerable patients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to be able to problem solve, use own initiative and plan, organise and prioritise own and others' workload.
• Evidence of continuous professional development and a willingness to participate in further training and education.
• Research & Development / Quality Improvement knowledge/experience
• Competent IT skills.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• As well as being able to demonstrate examples of how they work in a way that is consistent with our values of compassion, excellence and collaboration the successful candidate will be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to driving culture change through the equality, diversity and inclusion.

Additional Information
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.

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