Urology Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Urology

Department - Cancer Services

Band 8a

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Urology Nurse to join our dynamic nurse-led team as a Urology Diagnostic ANP (Band 8a).

The successful applicant will use advanced clinical assessment skills such as physical assessment, independent prescribing, flexible cystoscopy, prostate biopsy, and ultrasound to diagnose patients referred on a suspected cancer pathway direct from GP.

You should have experience in Urology (benign or cancer) and be able to assess and manage patients referred on benign pathways from GP and other specialties, e.g., LUTS, Andrology issues, functional urological issues, Stone clinic review, etc.

You should have excellent interpersonal skills, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a professional manner, and be able to prioritize and organize your workload and work under pressure.

You will be expected to work flexibly and support and assist in service development projects, lead and manage junior staff, and assist in teaching.

There is an option to look at developmental posts for candidates showing progression in advanced skills but have not fully completed their ACP training, commencing as a Band 7 and working towards the 8a on completion of the Advanced Clinical Practice accreditation.

Interview: w/c 21.04.2025

Main duties of the job The ANP is an experienced registered nurse that uses advanced assessment and diagnostic skills in the management of patients referred with a possible diagnosis of urological cancer and benign conditions. Diagnostic processes include: Physical assessment, Consent, Review of Imaging, Transperineal biopsies under either general or local anaesthetic, Ultrasound, and flexible cystoscopy.

Taking prostate biopsies and flexible cystoscopy requires the development of highly specialist skills and the use of specialist equipment. The training of junior doctors and senior nurses in these skills is also an important part of this role. The role will require delivery of a comprehensive urology diagnostic pathway for patients suspected of having urological cancer.

In summary, the post-holder will be responsible for the delivery of the nurse-led urology cancer diagnostic service and the management of patients on this pathway up to the point of diagnosis and the onward referral/liaison with other services (e.g., Clinical/Medical Oncology). The post-holder will also triage, review, and manage benign patient pathways referred into the urology services.

There is an expectation that the post-holder will be involved in service development, research, teaching and education commitments, and will have a willingness to develop oneself and promote the Trust through attendance and contribution at national and international forums.

About us MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).

Join at Milton Keynes University Hospital

The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division is looking for passionate, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.

MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team has completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.

As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.

With a leading benefits package and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest-growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.

Job responsibilities To be professionally and legally accountable for all work undertaken and to practice at an advanced level of professional autonomy and accountability that is within national urology cancer guidelines, MKUH Trust policies, and NMC Code of Conduct.

Perform a physical assessment including obtaining a clinical history, conducting the clinical physical examination, and assessment of psychological well-being in order to make a diagnosis (having undertaken a physical assessment skills course).

To deliver evidence-based expert nursing care exercising a high degree of professional autonomy, demonstrating the ability to make sound decisions based on knowledge and experience.

To assess individuals holistically using a range of different assessment methods and reach valid, reliable, and comprehensive patient and client-centered conclusions which manage risk and are appropriate to need context and culture.

To independently receive patient referrals e.g., 2WW, utilizing highly developed expert knowledge, diagnostic and clinical skills to carry out triaging, assessment, and initiate diagnostic and treatment pathways.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details.

Person Specification Education and Qualifications

• First level registered Nurse (or relevant professional registration)
• Bachelor's degree in nursing, health or management related studies
• A master's level qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice, in progress or equivalent experience
• Substantial years at band 7 (at least 4 in area of specialty/cancer)
• Certificated Specialty courses
• Advanced assessment skills course

Knowledge and Understanding

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of specialty with a wide range of approaches to the management of patients, as demonstrated by advanced clinical reasoning and the ability to comprehensively assess patients for risk factors and early signs of illness.
• Ability to draw on a diverse range of knowledge in decision-making to determine evidence-based therapeutic interventions (which will usually include prescribing medication and actively monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions).
• Ability to critically appraise and synthesize the outcomes of relevant research evaluations and audits.
• Awareness of changing trends in prostate cancer management.
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the urological system.
• Robust understanding of all aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality issues, audit, and risk management.
• Basic knowledge of recent NHS legislation and infection control.
• Formal teaching skills (both medical and nursing students).

Skills (Clinical)

• Expert knowledge and skills of clinical examination and history taking and taking consent.
• Ability to draw on a diverse range of knowledge in decision-making to determine evidence-based therapeutic interventions (which will usually include prescribing medication and actively monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions).
• Ability to translate and integrate evidence-based research/guidelines into the development of local pathways of care.
• Clinical Ultrasound experience within the specialist area.
• Trained in TRUS/transperineal biopsy and flexible cystoscopies.

Skills (communication and relationships)

• Ability to lead within the nursing profession and multiprofessional working; within an organization and across organization boundaries, being able to identify and implement systems to promote their contribution and demonstrate the impact of advanced level nursing to the healthcare team and the wider health and social care sector.
• Ability to develop working relationships locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proven listening/counseling skills.
• Able to chair, coordinate and facilitate meetings.

Skills (analytical and judgmental)

• Evidence of managing clinical services, service innovation and up-to-date knowledge of nursing policy and strategy, together with successful change management experience and a proven track record in launching new initiatives.
• Ability to manage change and contain conflict ensuring resolution with positive outcomes, with the use of negotiation skills.

Planning and Organisational

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills demonstrating the use of a variety of media/IT skills.

Abilities (Physical)

• Physically fit as determined by the Occupational Health Department.
• Ability to move and handle patients and inanimate loads using appropriate equipment in accordance with Trust Policy.
• Able to stand and sit for long periods of time and able to undertake nursing duties.

Abilities (Mental)

• Proven ability to work under pressure both professionally and managerially.
• Proven ability to concentrate and maintain a high degree of accuracy.
• Proven ability to emotionally support other staff.
• High level of work organization, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude.
• Able to carry out concurrent activities (multitasking) and work in an unpredictable working pattern (will be required to carry a bleep) click apply for full job details