UTC Developmental Practitioner Post

Job overview

An exciting opportunity is available for a number of highly motivated nurse practitioners to join the Gateshead Urgent Care Service working between the Urgent Treatment Centres at Blaydon and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

These posts are developmental posts in which successful candidates will join initially as a junior practitioner at Band 6 to undertake a structured development programme. After completion of specified competencies and development of relevant experience, the postholder will progress into a senior nurse practitioner post at Band 7.

This is a time of development and improvement for our UTCs, with potential for investment and development as part of the plan to improve Urgent and Emergency Care in the Trust.

Main duties of the job

You will join the team working in our Urgent Treatment Centres, joining the team as a junior nurse practitioner with responsibility for reviewing and treating patients in the urgent care setting (including both minor injury and minor illness). This role will also supporting colleagues in both formal and informal development and mentorship.

On progression to senior practitioner, this role is responsible for acting as ‘Shift Lead’ in both QEH and Blaydon UTCs, acting as a key point of contact on shift. The role also has responsibility for front desk streaming at QEH to support patients to receive healthcare in the most appropriate setting for their complaint.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Undertake assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients with urgent but non‑life‑threatening conditions.
• Manage undifferentiated, undiagnosed presentations across all age groups.
• Perform clinical examinations including minor injury and minor illness presentations.
• Provide safe, evidence‑based, timely decision‑making, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Undertake clinical procedures such as wound care, suturing/gluing, fracture management, and medicines administration.
• Work towards (or maintain) independent prescribing status where applicable.
• Support streaming and triage functions to ensure patients are routed safely and efficiently.
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with NMC/HCPC and local standards.
• Practice in accordance with professional codes, safeguarding frameworks, and infection prevention standards.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate reflective practice and engage in continuous professional development.
• Follow a structured competency framework with defined milestones.
• Engage in supervised practice sessions with advanced practitioners and medical staff.
• Complete mandatory training and skills portfolios in advanced history taking, clinical examination, diagnostic reasoning, and minor illness/minor injury management.
• Demonstrate increasing autonomy and leadership as competencies are achieved.