Job overview
We are seeking a Band 6 practitioner to join the Acute Care Team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) to support the response to deteriorating patients such as acute deterioration, calls 4 concern, critical care admissions and step downs, and acute kidney injuries.
The role involves providing cross-site cover, supported by senior and advanced practitioners, and includes responsibilities for teaching, role modelling, and risk response. The ideal candidate will be proactive, with strong clinical skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality care in high-pressure situations. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, supportive team while advancing your clinical expertise.
Main duties of the job
1. Response to Deteriorating Patients : Assess and manage patients showing signs of clinical deterioration across all inpatients settings settings.
2. Calls 4 Concern : Respond to concerns in response to escalation, providing a timely assessment and intervention when needed.
3. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Management : Identify and manage patients with acute kidney injury, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care.
4. Clinical Skills : Perform essential clinical procedures, including venepuncture and cannulation, blood culture sampling, ECG assessment and interpretation, and ultrasound-guided cannulation. Additionally, verify expected death.
5. Cross-Site Cover : Provide clinical support across multiple sites including remote support to peripheral sites, ensuring continuous care delivery and effective teamwork.
6. Teaching and Role Modelling : Deliver teaching sessions to junior staff and students, while also role modelling best practices in patient care and professional conduct. Support the delivery of Acute Illness Management and Advanced Life Support as a collaboration with the division of Education and Research.
7. Risk Response and Management : Participate in risk assessment and response processes, ensuring patient safety is maintained at all times.
8. Collaboration : Work closely with medical and surgical teams, maintaining direct contact with critical care services to ensure seamless, high-quality patient care.
Working for our organisation
Working for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) offers a dynamic and supportive environment where healthcare professionals are encouraged to develop their skills and make a meaningful impact on patient care. ELHT is committed to delivering high-quality services across its hospitals and community settings, ensuring that staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities.
The organisation values teamwork, collaboration, and innovation, creating an inclusive culture that prioritises both patient safety and staff well-being.
As a member of the Acute Care Team, you will be part of a dedicated group of practitioners working together to manage complex patient needs, with support from senior and advanced practitioners across multiple sites. ELHT also offers excellent career progression, as well as the chance to contribute to ground breaking clinical practices and services within the NHS.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Band 6 Acute Care Team (ACT) Practitioner will assess and manage patients referred as "at risk" by multi-professional teams, acting as a role model for the care of critically ill patients. They will have autonomy in managing a caseload across specialties, including elements of lone working and a flexible response to multi professional decision making, while providing support, education, and training to other team members. The role involves developing clinical and non-clinical governance, participating in clinical audits, nursing research, and advancing patient services. Additionally, the practitioner will be expected to work flexibly as part of the ACT team, ensuring continuous improvement of care standards. This includes developing advanced clinical skills outside the usual scope of nursing practice.
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical Care: Deliver evidence-based care to critically ill patients, using tools like SBAR for communication, monitoring patients using the National Early Warning Scoring system, and ensuring accurate documentation. Act as a resource for the multi-professional team and participate in follow-up care after critical care discharge.
Leadership & Education: Provide leadership in patient care, assist in staff development through training and mentoring, and support staff through critical incidents and reflective practice.
Collaboration: Work with medical and nursing teams to improve care for "at risk" patients, and engage with critical care services for patient admissions and escalations.
Audit & Research: Participate in quality improvement initiatives and research to enhance patient care and share findings locally and nationally.
Resource Management: Ensure the effective use of resources, monitor staff rosters, and assist with recruitment and selection processes for the team.
General Duties:
Adhere to infection control policies, maintain accurate patient records, follow health and safety procedures, and comply with the Trust’s governance standards.
This role requires flexibility, strong leadership, and a commitment to professional development, with the opportunity to contribute to the growth and modernisation of critical care services.
Person specification
Essential and desirable
Essential criteria
* Professional Registration NMC or appropriate allied health professional
* Post qualification greater than 3 years with relevant clinical experience in an acute setting
* Acute speciality qualification at level 6 or above
* Can demonstrate and ability to perform comprehensive assessments and undertake clinical skills
* Evidence of good written skills, computer literacy and adaptation to electronic systems
* Able to demonstrate understanding and adaptation to NHS agendas and current demands
* Commitment to learning, motivation and drive to deliver high standards
* Demonstrates an approach in keeping with trust values and patient safety
Desirable criteria
* Degree or working towards
* ALS
* Assessment, diagnostic and or clinical decision making qualification
* Demonstrate leadership and management experience
* Experience in audit, link nurse/AHP role, workflow lead
* Ability to provide feedback and self reflect
* Understanding of legal, ethical issues and demands on current workforce