Scoping of advanced clinical practitioner role implementation using national job advertisements: Document analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to profile the contemporary advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) role through standardized document sets. Documentary analysis of job descriptions (JDs), person specification and advertisements. England based jobs advertised on NHS jobs website from 22 January to 21 April 2021. A toatal of 143 trainee and qualified ACP roles were identified. A wide range of sectors and specialities were represented from across all English regions. The most common roles were urgent care, emergency medicine and primary care. Most qualified roles were agenda for change band 8A, although this did vary across specialities. Many roles were restricted to a small number of professions, notably nursing, physiotherapy and paramedic. Inconsistent role titles were noted. A lack of understanding of regulation across different professions was noted. The ACP role has become an accepted across healthcare providers in England. Implementation remains varied across specialities and organizations. Eligibility criteria may relate to professional bias. ACP roles are expanding but this may be at the detriment to advanced nursing posts. Inconsistency in role eligibility suggests some professional bias exists. This was scoping of ACP roles across England using job advertisements. ACP roles are common across sectors and specialities but eligibility varies. The research will have impact on those looking to recruit to ACP roles as well as those refining JDs. No EQUATOR guideline exists for document analysis. No Patient or Public Contribution. The research relates to organizational human resource information only.