Job summary An exciting opportunity has become available for an Advanced Clinical Practitioner specialising in Rheumatology to join the team based in Orpington Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate who already possesses the key attributes of advanced clinical practice, however, would be willing to consider applicants working towards this level of practice in a trainee ACP role (band 7 progressing to band 8a on successful completion of training and courses). Please state clearly in your application if you are applying to be considered for a trainee role. Main duties of the job The post holder will demonstrate a high level of expertise within the specialist service of Rheumatology, providing advice, education and support to staff, patients, their families and carers. The post holder will be practising autonomously as an advanced clinical practitioner within the designated speciality area to provide patient-centred clinical care. This will encompass the skills of advanced clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment within an agreed scope of practice throughout the directorate. The post holder will support new ways of working that emphasises a more efficient and patient focused service, and will ensure the safe treatment, referral and discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations in their area. Responsibility for leading the on-going development of clinical practice and standards of care within the service, including the development of policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues The post holder will deliver a 90% clinical component to their role and 10% related to appraisal, clinical audit, teaching, continuous professional development and research. About us King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Date posted 25 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £59,490 to £66,239 a year per annum, including high cost area Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 213-PRUH-6991199 Job locations Orpington Hospital (also Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup) Sevenoaks Road Orpington, Kent BR6 9JU Job description Job responsibilities 1. Work autonomously as an advanced practitioner within the speciality, managing a caseload of patients delivering individualised direct patient care. 2. Direct responsibility for assessment, examination, investigation and diagnosis of patients within their area of work. 3. Appropriately treat patients, resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations. 4. Receive referrals via a variety of sources, including direct patient referral. Manage own caseload and clinical priorities according to agreed protocols and working practices. 5. Participate in multidisciplinary clinics, participate in ward rounds, patient reviews and multidisciplinary team meetings 6. Undertake a variety of clinical skills and provide treatment/ advice as per speciality and scope of practice. Using agreed protocols of clinical practice and professional guidelines. This service may be provided within an acute secondary healthcare facility or in primary, community or home care settings. 7. Within scope of practice and clinical competence request and / or undertake diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and clinical investigations related to plans of care 8. Utilise scope of practice to undertake Non-Medical Prescribing role and provide advice on medicine management issues associated with the patient specialty group. Work within Trust policy for Medicines Management 9. Utilise advanced knowledge and skills relating to the speciality to provide specialist advice to other members of the multidisciplinary team on the basis of patient assessment. 10. Provide a seamless, high quality service from referral through to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and review, referring to other specialists as required. Provide guidance to staff, patients and their families and carers on pathway navigation 11. Lead in the development and updating of referral guidelines and policies for the service. 12. Use highly developed communication skills to effectively communicate with colleagues, patients and their relatives/carers, making reports and liaising as required with medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team both verbally and in writing. 13. Use professional judgement to act as an advocate for patients to ensure a patient focused approach to the delivery of care. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management. Escalate any concerns via the nursing / professional structures as required 14. Work towards safe and timely discharge and/ or transfer of care of patients from or between hospitals and services and healthcare professionals, ensuring barriers to discharge / transfer are identified and acted upon appropriately. 15. Report and raise concerns related to Safeguarding, accessing advice and support as required. Be conversant with Trust policies for safeguarding including the assessment of mental Capacity, and consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards(DOLS) and the application of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness) 16. Ensure effective and accurate verbal or written handover of patients between healthcare professionals 17. Ensure that high standards of all documentation are maintained, with accurate, complete and up-to-date information regarding patient care are kept in accordance with Trust standards. 18. Monitor the quality and standard of care provided by all members of the team and all staff in clinical areas. Identifying any skills or training gaps and escalating to the appropriate Senior Nurse or Matron. 19. Undertake training to develop further advanced clinical practice roles required by the service in order to provide a high standard of patient care. 20. Practice within the scope of professional registration (i.e. NMC, HCPC) Job description Job responsibilities 1. Work autonomously as an advanced practitioner within the speciality, managing a caseload of patients delivering individualised direct patient care. 2. Direct responsibility for assessment, examination, investigation and diagnosis of patients within their area of work. 3. Appropriately treat patients, resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations. 4. Receive referrals via a variety of sources, including direct patient referral. Manage own caseload and clinical priorities according to agreed protocols and working practices. 5. Participate in multidisciplinary clinics, participate in ward rounds, patient reviews and multidisciplinary team meetings 6. Undertake a variety of clinical skills and provide treatment/ advice as per speciality and scope of practice. Using agreed protocols of clinical practice and professional guidelines. This service may be provided within an acute secondary healthcare facility or in primary, community or home care settings. 7. Within scope of practice and clinical competence request and / or undertake diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and clinical investigations related to plans of care 8. Utilise scope of practice to undertake Non-Medical Prescribing role and provide advice on medicine management issues associated with the patient specialty group. Work within Trust policy for Medicines Management 9. Utilise advanced knowledge and skills relating to the speciality to provide specialist advice to other members of the multidisciplinary team on the basis of patient assessment. 10. Provide a seamless, high quality service from referral through to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and review, referring to other specialists as required. Provide guidance to staff, patients and their families and carers on pathway navigation 11. Lead in the development and updating of referral guidelines and policies for the service. 12. Use highly developed communication skills to effectively communicate with colleagues, patients and their relatives/carers, making reports and liaising as required with medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team both verbally and in writing. 13. Use professional judgement to act as an advocate for patients to ensure a patient focused approach to the delivery of care. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management. Escalate any concerns via the nursing / professional structures as required 14. Work towards safe and timely discharge and/ or transfer of care of patients from or between hospitals and services and healthcare professionals, ensuring barriers to discharge / transfer are identified and acted upon appropriately. 15. Report and raise concerns related to Safeguarding, accessing advice and support as required. Be conversant with Trust policies for safeguarding including the assessment of mental Capacity, and consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards(DOLS) and the application of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness) 16. Ensure effective and accurate verbal or written handover of patients between healthcare professionals 17. Ensure that high standards of all documentation are maintained, with accurate, complete and up-to-date information regarding patient care are kept in accordance with Trust standards. 18. Monitor the quality and standard of care provided by all members of the team and all staff in clinical areas. Identifying any skills or training gaps and escalating to the appropriate Senior Nurse or Matron. 19. Undertake training to develop further advanced clinical practice roles required by the service in order to provide a high standard of patient care. 20. Practice within the scope of professional registration (i.e. NMC, HCPC) Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Professional Registration Post Registration Qualification or equivalent experience within Rheumatology setting Non-Medical Prescribing Course (If applicable to professional registration) Teaching/Mentoring Qualification MSc level qualification or equivalent CATS Knowledge and Experience Essential Significant experience at band 7 or above in relevant speciality Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills Evidence of ongoing relevant CPD Evidence of research and audit Desirable Publication in Health Journals Skills Essential Intra-articular joint injection qualification/experience Knowledge of Biologic Medications Sound clinical reasoning and decision making Desirable Knowledge of Patient Pathways Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Professional Registration Post Registration Qualification or equivalent experience within Rheumatology setting Non-Medical Prescribing Course (If applicable to professional registration) Teaching/Mentoring Qualification MSc level qualification or equivalent CATS Knowledge and Experience Essential Significant experience at band 7 or above in relevant speciality Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills Evidence of ongoing relevant CPD Evidence of research and audit Desirable Publication in Health Journals Skills Essential Intra-articular joint injection qualification/experience Knowledge of Biologic Medications Sound clinical reasoning and decision making Desirable Knowledge of Patient Pathways 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 (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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Orpington Hospital (also Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup) Sevenoaks Road Orpington, Kent BR6 9JU Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)