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Job summary

Main area
Acute Therapies
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent: 37.5 hours per week
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
374-LB5298
Employer
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
EDGH
Town
Eastbourne
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Advanced Practitioner (AP)

NHS AfC: Band 8a

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area. 


We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. 


Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes. 


The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services. 

 

Job overview

AHP – Integrated Discharge Team (IDT)
Band 8a or Band 7 Trainee AP (progression to 8a)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Practitioner to join the IDT at Eastbourne District General Hospital. We welcome experienced AHPs at Band 8a, or Band 7 clinicians seeking development through a structured Trainee AP pathway, progressing to Band 8a upon completion of competencies.

This key role is ideal for Physiotherapists or Occupational Therapists with a passion for innovation, transformation and integrated working across acute and community settings. Working closely with MDT therapy teams, ward staff, community partners and discharge colleagues, you will use advanced skills, leadership and expert decision‑making to support complex cases, improve patient flow and enhance rehab across ESHT

Main duties of the job

What makes this role unique?
• Lead pathway redesign to modernise therapy input and streamline discharge
• Embed new “Art of the Possible” investments supporting enhanced rehab and improved flow
• Work flexibly across pathways with a strong Home First focus
• Champion patient and family involvement in care planning and transitions
• Provide advanced clinical leadership, supporting MDT decision‑making and staff development

Who we’re looking for:
• HCPC‑registered Physio or Occupational Therapist
• Band 8a experienced advanced‑level clinician
• Band 7 motivated clinician committed to AP development
• Experience in acute, community, IDT or integrated care
• Strong leadership, communication and QI skills
• Commitment to Home First and flexible working

What we offer:
• Supportive, forward‑thinking IDT and therapy environment
• Clear Band 7 → 8a development pathway
• Advanced CPD and leadership opportunities
• Direct influence on ESHT rehabilitation services

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year. 

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

 

 

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • HCPC active Registration
  • Degree in Specialist Practice or other appropriate health related pathway and working towards MSC qualification
  • Leadership and/or management qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Advanced Clinical Practice qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant amount of post registration experience of which 3 years
  • Evidence of teaching in a variety of environments
  • Evidence of on-going CPD and revalidation
  • Evidence of dissemination of knowledge in wider healthcare organisations
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of system working
  • Evidence of leadership in policy and practice change and transformation

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
  • Evidence of involvement in the development of programmes of care, protocols and policy
  • Highly developed effective communication / negotiation skills
  • Excellent clinical reasoning/clinical decision making
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of specific positive demonstrable outcomes following quality improvement initiatives and projects

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Ability to perform in stressful and complex situations and show personal resilience
Desirable criteria
  • Able to articulate the concept of political awareness and emotional intelligence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkGold Award 2026 - Wellbeing at Work - East Sussex

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Elaine Tate
Job title
Head of AHPs
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07909998181
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