Advanced clinical practitioner

Advanced clinical practitioners across South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire has made significant progress in highlighting the value of Advancing Practice roles with all our system leadership teams and provider organisations. We have worked tirelessly since 2018 to establish the infrastructure required to support advanced practice trainees and grow the Advanced Practice workforce in South Yorkshire. Here is all the information you should need to consider advanced practice in your organisation.  

What is an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP)? 

“It is a level of practice characterised by a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making. This is underpinned by a master’s level award or equivalent that encompasses the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research, with demonstration of core capabilities and area specific clinical competence.”  NHS England (2017) Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England. 

Who can train to be an ACP? 

Experienced, registered healthcare professionals from a variety of roles.  Examples include: 

  • Registered nurses  

  • Paramedics 

  • Physiotherapists 

  • Podiatrists 

  • Occupational Therapists 

  • Pharmacists* must not already be undertaking a NHSE-funded pathway, e.g. CPPE  

What benefits can an ACP role bring to your organisation? 

The benefits include more timely access to appropriate care by highly skilled advanced practitioners. It helps you grow your own future workforce to increase retention of staff, support the wider multi-disciplinary team and deliver continuity of care to your patients. 

 Uphold the four pillars of advanced practice: 

  • Clinical ability to complete the episode of care autonomously with extensive clinical decision skills.
  • Leadership eg leading service redesign, management, role modelling, mentoring and supervision, presenting, Charing and leading meetings, workforce planning. 
  • Research eg audits, service improvement, reviewing evidence-based practice, implementing NICE guidance. 
  • Education eg teaching the wider health care team, development as clinical supervisor.

 Routes to becoming an ACP

  • Complete an accredited MSc in advanced clinical practice apprenticeship and receive a digital badge on completion. This pathway is suitable for those new to training to be an ACP. This route depending on the individual will take a maximum of three years. This route is funded either via an apprenticeship or traditional pathway and currently all organisations would be eligible for a financial support grant. The application portal is open until 31 March 2024 for expressions of interest  

  • Supported portfolio route. This route is for practitioners that do not have an MSc or their MSc is in an alternative subject, for example advanced professional practice. Practitioners who apply via this route must be able to demonstrate that they have the academic ability alongside evidence to show they work and meet the four pillars of advanced practice. They will then receive the digital badge once the portfolio is approved. This route typically takes one year.   

What support is there for the employer and apprentice (trainee) ACP?  

  • Financial support from NHS England through clinical salary support (training grant) for duration of study (maximum three years) and course fees, either apprenticeship or non-apprenticeship route.  

  • Support with apprenticeships from NHS South Yorkshire apprenticeship lead.

  • Support for trainee ACPs and their clinical supervisors from the regional Faculty of Advanced Practice (CASP support, portfolio support, educational sessions etc.) 

  • Support from the university. Regular tripartite reviews with clinical supervisor, trainee ACP and course leader 

  • Support from NHS South Yorkshire ACP lead to ensure all clinical governance assurances and professional development is prioritised to expand your workforce safely.  

 What support does the employer need to provide? 

  • A defined ACP role at the end of the training period 
  • A good quality, supportive learning environment involving the whole practice team. 
  • Named clinical supervisor/s with the skills and capacity to support the trainee ACP. 
  • 1 day per week for the trainee ACP to attend university/ protected study time. 
  • A minimum of 1 day per week protected time for the trainee ACP to work alongside their clinical supervisor. 
  • Participation and commitment to governance oversight and utilising the governance maturity matrix tool.  

 For further information on the training of ACPs please contact Sarah Fisher Professional Lead for Advanced Practice NHS South Yorkshire