Our vision for ACPs
“As my career progressed, I wanted to continue working closely with patients while developing at a higher level of clinical practice. Advanced practice provided that opportunity.
In my current role, I support the development of advanced practice across the Trust, ensuring it is aligned to service need and workforce priorities, while continuing to work clinically and maintain that direct connection to patient care.”
Advanced Clinical Practitioners at UHL are highly skilled clinicians who work with a high degree of autonomy and complex decision-making. Alongside direct patient care, ACPs contribute to leadership, education, research, and service improvement.
ACP training at UHL is delivered through a structured and well-governed pathway, ensuring trainees are supported to develop safely, with appropriate supervision, assessment and oversight throughout their progression.
“This is a role for professionals who want to take on greater responsibility while continuing to deliver hands-on patient care. It is both challenging and rewarding and plays a vital part in the future of our workforce.”
Training to become an ACP
Today, UHL has a growing ACP workforce across many specialties, with practitioners from multiple professional backgrounds including nursing, midwifery, paramedicine and physiotherapy, reflecting the breadth of roles across the Trust.
At UHL, ACP training is delivered through a structured and well-governed pathway aligned to service need. Individuals can only undertake ACP training once successfully appointed into a Trainee ACP role, ensuring the right support and infrastructure is in place.
Training typically includes:
- A three-year MSc Advanced Practice programme
- Workplace-based learning within a defined clinical role
- Supervision from an experienced Educational Supervisor
- Completion of a structured capability portfolio
- Participation in Trust-wide education and development opportunities
The academic programme includes modules such as clinical assessment, decision-making, non-medical prescribing, leadership, research, and service improvement, alongside development across the four pillars of advanced practice.
Development, progression and support
Throughout training, Trainee ACPs are supported through regular supervision and formal review processes to ensure safe and effective progression. This includes structured assessment of clinical capability, portfolio development, and an annual review process.
In addition to local clinical learning, trainees have access to:
- Trust-wide ACP education sessions
- Simulation-based training opportunities
While all ACP roles are aligned to specific services, some trainees may also have opportunities to gain broader clinical exposure through rotational experiences or placements, supporting development of a well-rounded skillset.
Following successful completion of the MSc, workplace competencies and final sign-off, trainees progress into qualified ACP roles within their specialty.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be an experienced registered healthcare professional, registered with a UK professional regulator (e.g. NMC, HCPC or other relevant professional body)
- Have relevant clinical experience within the speciality area you are applying to practise in
- Meet the academic requirements for MSc study (usually a 2:2 or above or equivalent experience)
- Successfully apply for and secure a Trainee ACP role within the Trust
How to apply
Most Trainee ACP opportunities at UHL are recruited internally in line with workforce planning and service development needs. Internal opportunities will be advertised via UHL’s internal vacancy system (on UHL Connect) or directly by clinical services.
Any roles that are open to external applicants will be advertised on the NHS Jobs website.
Further information about advanced clinical practice can be found through national NHS resources via NHS England Centre for Advancing Practice. For Trust-specific queries that are not answered above, you can contact:
[email protected]