To be part of the medical team reporting to the Nurse Consultant and working closely with the Consultants in Palliative Care, using advanced practice skills to identify, assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with palliative care needs. As part of a multidisciplinary team; exercise complex levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care. Make appropriate use of the latest evidence base to supervise practice, audit clinical care, teach and support professional colleagues and to provide skilled leadership to clinical decision making. To champion innovative practice within the field of hospice and end of life care and work closely with the Director of Clinical Services, the hospice Consultants and senior nurses to develop progressive professional practice policies identifying opportunities for succession planning. The Advanced Clinical Practitioner will work alongside the medical, nursing and AHP teams at an advanced practice level applying their extended knowledge and skills in the principles and practice of palliative care to support patients with the most complex needs in a range of departments and care settings as required by the hospices joint clinical strategy. The Advanced Clinical Practitioner will contribute to the 24/7 on-call rota for either the Erdington site or Selly park site with the support of the second on call doctor, and will be required to work days and nights as part of this rota. There may be circumstances where cross cover for the sister site is required in and out of hours, but the base site for this post holder will be agreed at the point of recruitment. Main duties and responsibilities Working as an independent practitioner and non-medical prescriber, the post holder is accountable and responsible for their own actions or omissions in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Code and current guidance on Advanced Clinical Practice. The post holder will always work within the scope of professional practice and guidance on advanced practice adhering to all relevant professional, legal and regulatory guidelines. The post holder assumes responsibility for their own professional development and updates and maintains own clinical skills as appropriate and required for the role. Any development requirements will be discussed at appraisals and training supported by the hospice where necessary. The post holder works within the boundaries of the role function as it develops within Birmingham Hospice and as agreed by the Clinical Directors, Nurse Consultant and Palliative Medicine Consultants. The post holder works within the boundaries of the role function as it develops within Birmingham Hospice and as agreed by the Clinical Directors, Nurse Consultant and Palliative Medicine Consultants. External Ensures effective networking relationships and communication with Nursing/AHP colleagues and relevant organisations, primary care, cancer network and other hospices as necessary to maintain effective patient and family care. Clinical Duties Works as part of a Hospice Specialist Palliative Care Team, carrying out a high standard of clinical assessment, determining and providing treatment plans / interventions, advice or support as appropriate. Maintains clinical records in line with hospice and NMC, or appropriate professional body guidance. Uses advanced clinical judgment to plan, implement and evaluate care for patients with complex palliative needs throughout the hospice and outreach facilities as directed. Anticipates problems and risks and takes action before crises arise. As an independent prescriber, prescribes medicines for patients in accordance with local policies, national standards and formularies relating to independent prescribing. Participates fully as part of the 24 7 specialist team as 1st on call accountable to 2nd on call physician to ensure effective co-ordination of care and appropriate and timely responses for patients. When on call at weekends and out of hours, to be responsive to the teams requests for patient reviews and admissions to IPU as appropriate. Provides a source of expertise to all health care practitioners, including undertaking joint assessments as required. Identifies and reports clinical issues and incidents within the specialty that may affect the quality of palliative care services. Liaises daily with the rest of the medical team and ensures all members are kept fully briefed of all palliative care patient activity under the responsibility of the advanced clinical practitioner. Ensures senior nurse managers and therapy colleagues are aware of clinical activity ensuring the role links appropriately with all other nursing and therapy interventions in the best interests of patients. Professional Leadership Demonstrates leadership skills when undertaking the clinical assessment process and when planning and delivering care. Motivates all staff and others through providing training, supervision and mentorship. Applies a repertoire of interpersonal skills in response to the different needs of staff and colleagues. Encourages proactivity and innovation amongst the MDT and demonstrates flexibility within parameters of hospice policies. Acts as a role model and is accountable for own professional actions and decisions. Leads the development of ideas and specialist practice within the scope of the role. Innovates through exploring ideas with others and takes action which brings in different ways of working. Works with the Clinical Directors, Nurse Consultants and Palliative Care Consultants to ensure the development of progressive professional practice policies identifying opportunities for succession planning. Quality Improvement, Audit & Research Ensures the delivery of high quality, clinically effective care by prioritising and using research and audit in practice. Be an active participant within the clinical governance committees and support the associated work plan as required and directed by line manager. Leads on specific governance initiatives as necessary. Identifies and supports audits and evaluation of work that may be required to develop and improve palliative/ end of life care for patients and their carers. Acts as a resource and support to the Nurse Consultant role. Supports quality improvement initiatives and evidence based in service development plans / projects wherever possible. Participates in maintaining the profile of Birmingham Hospice through the presentation of quality improvement initiatives at local, regional and national conferences. Resource Management Manages own time and works effectively to meet objectives and requirements of the role. Is proactive as part of the senior clinical team in ensuring the totality of hospice skills are used to their best effect to ensure appropriate and timely responses for patients. Represents the senior clinical team at senior management group meetings as required. Makes proactive use of the multi-disciplinary team discussions and review meetings to ensure skills, expertise and use of hospice and professional resources are utilised in the patients interest. Is aware of the local policies of partner organisations with regards to care practices, treatments and prescribing formularies. Governance and Education Influences the setting and monitoring of standards of practice, ensuring delivery of cost effective and evidenced care. Supports the implementation and monitoring of clinical practice guidelines including standards, policies and protocols in line with national directives. Facilitates and participates in reflective reviews of palliative care. To be aware of professional responsibilities and comply with all appropriate policies, standards and guidelines. Understands and complies with guidance surrounding advanced practice. To be aware of ones own continuous professional development needs and maintain an annual personal development plan. Actively contributes to the delivery of the hospice education programme. Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) time will be allocated each week to the ACP, to ensure they are able to maintain this part of the role. Service Development Reviews care pathways feeding reviews into appropriate discussions to ensure continual quality improvements. Works with other disciplines to integrate best practice tools e.g. pathways of care and to minimise duplication of elements of care, fragmentation of care and delays in response to patients needs. Maintains links with other Palliative Care Specialists to share or learn from examples of good practice. Critically evaluates relevant research findings to develop practice. Represents the hospice and the work of the hospice at local, regional and national level as required through conference presentations. General Requirements You are responsible for limiting your actions to those that you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during your duties, you should immediately speak to your line manager / supervisor. This is not an exhaustive list of duties and a regular review will take place with the post holder as part of their ongoing development and performance management.