Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Medical Physicist

Advanced Practice Radiographer

Medical Physicist

Advanced Practice Radiographer

Is science your passion? Do you have leadership skills?

Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are healthcare professionals educated to Masters levels. They are experienced members of staff who use a high level of autonomy and complex decision making to provide the best care for their patients. There are a wide variety of roles who can train to become an ACP including nursing, pharmacy and allied health professionals.

As an ACP in cancer care you are most likely to:

clinically examine and assess the needs of your patients
assess, diagnose, plan and implement treatment as required
prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately in complex, urgent or emergency situations
work within your team, supporting others and delegating responsibility
act as a clinical leader to deliver nursing services

Entry Requirements

Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP’s) would be a registered healthcare professional with an undergraduate degree and considerable post registration experience.

Training Routes

The training programme to become an ACP takes 3 years full time. You also need to:

complete a Masters degree in Advanced Clinical Practice
become an independent non-medical prescriber
achieve sufficient competence in clinical practice

Key Skills

ACPs are expected to have excellent communication skills and to be able to work well in a team as well as support each individual patient’s needs. They become highly skilled in assessing investigating and diagnosing as well as managing and treating conditions. There will also need to be able to manage and lead effectively.

Career Development

With additional training ACP’s can:

Practice advanced skills such as endoscopy and surgery
Lead teams managing medical emergencies
Teach advanced skills to healthcare professionals

ACP’s could become department lead ACP, Corporate lead ACP and consultant practitioners.

Pay and benefits

As a trainee ACP you would be paid on the Agenda for Change pay system, starting on a Band 6, progressing to 8a or 8b on completion. Lead roles are available up to a Band 9.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out more about advanced clinical practice

Role of an ACP

Professional Registration would be required with HCPC/NMC/GPhC depending on your specialty