Advanced practice toolkit

There are many advanced practice roles across the different professions and sectors in Scotland and new roles are emerging in response to changes in service models and demands. This section of the toolkit focuses on advanced practice roles, providing examples of roles which have specific definitions.  

The advanced practitioner and advanced clinical specialist share the same level of practice, but each is associated with a different breadth and depth of knowledge. The diagram below illustrates the depth of knowledge required by the advanced clinical specialist within their specialist area of practice and the broader breadth of knowledge required by the advanced practitioner. 

Examples of Generalists include:

• Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner
• Advanced Paramedic Practitioner
• Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner

Examples of Specialists include: 

• Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist (named specialism for example Remote and R and Rural )
• Advanced Pharmacist (named specialism for example General Practice).

Please go to the Profession Specific section at the bottom of this page for more information on advanced practice role for your practice area.

Please take some time to review the career examples, practitioner stories and advanced practice roles described below. To listen to the audio recordings or watch the video please select the graphic.

Hazel McPhillips, Lecturer/Programme Lead MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, Edinburgh Napier showcases her journey through this road map. 

Pauline Zvimba talks about her career as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Use the quick links below to find out more information relevant to your professional group. 

Please note, some of these links, particularly the roadmaps to advanced practice in primary care were produced by NHS England Workforce Education and Training Directorate, formally known as Health Education England, and although many points will be helpful, they may apply differently in Scotland.