Job summary
At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH), we are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients requiring acute medical services. As part of our continued investment in workforce transformation and advanced clinical practice, we are seeking a highly motivated Advanced Practitioner (Band 8a) to join our Acute Medicine team.

Working as an autonomous practitioner alongside Consultant Acute Physicians and the multidisciplinary team, you will provide expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients presenting with acute, complex and undifferentiated medical conditions. You will play a key role in supporting patient flow across the acute medical pathway, including the Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU), Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) and ambulatory care services. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner to contribute to clinical excellence, leadership, education, research and service development. The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced practice across the four pillars of advanced practice, helping to deliver innovative, evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes across Acute Medicine.

Applications will also be considered from Trainee Advanced Practitioners. Applicants appointed to a trainee role must enrol on and successfully complete an MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme delivered by an NHSE-accredited university.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner within Acute Medicine, providing expert assessment, diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute, complex and undifferentiated medical conditions. They will request, interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations, independently prescribe within scope of practice, and work collaboratively with Consultant Acute Physicians and the multidisciplinary team to support timely clinical decision-making, patient flow, admission avoidance and safe discharge planning.

The post holder will recognise and respond to patient deterioration, provide expert clinical leadership and advice, and contribute to education, supervision, audit, research and service improvement activities while maintaining the highest standards of clinical governance, patient safety and patient-centred care.

The role requires flexibility to work across Acute Medicine services and participate in a range of shift patterns, including weekends and public holidays, to meet service needs.

About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. Flexible working information is available at www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details
Date posted: 02 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £59,798 to £67,020 a year inc HCA
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 360-F-11978
Closing date: 12 November 2026

Person Specification
Knowledge

• Essential: Advanced clinical knowledge of Acute Medicine
• Essential: Knowledge of safeguarding principles and vulnerable patient groups
• Essential: Understanding of health and social care systems
• Essential: Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management
• Essential: Understanding of case management and care coordination
• Essential: Knowledge of the legal, ethical and professional framework for advanced practice
• Essential: Effective communication and partnership working across professional boundaries, teaching, presentation and facilitation skills
• Essential: Conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Desirable: Evidence of service redevelopment work
• Desirable: Initiation or participation in audit/research projects

Experience

• Essential: Experience as a qualified Advanced Practitioner within Acute Medicine, or a relevant clinical specialty
• Essential: Proven experience managing patients with complex clinical needs in acute care settings
• Essential: Experience working in high-pressure environments, including managing sensitive and life-changing clinical situations
• Essential: Experience supervising and supporting junior staff and learners
• Essential: Experience designing and delivering education and training programmes for healthcare professionals
• Essential: Evidence of participation in clinical audit, quality improvement or service development initiatives
• Essential: Evidence of continuing professional development and application of learning to clinical practice
• Desirable: Evidence of using clinical governance framework to influence care and improve outcome

Education and qualifications

• Essential: Registered with relevant professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC)
• Essential: MSc in Advanced Practice
• Essential: Teaching & Assessing qualification
• Essential: Non-Medical Prescriber
• Essential: ALS Provider
• Desirable: Leadership course
• Desirable: ALS instructor

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.

Employer details
Employer name: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Watford General Hospital, Watford, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk

For questions about the job, contact: Nurse consultant, Mercy Vincent, mercy.vincent@nhs.net

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