First Contact Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

The post holder will:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems by taking medical history, performing physical examinations, using problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills to establish a diagnosis and management plan
• Provide effective communication between primary care services and other relevant care providers
• Organise investigation, treatment and referral where appropriate
• Effectively manage the nominated areas of responsibility as allocated
• Provide clinical services required, within own competencies
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Maintain sound relationships with relevant MDT, physiotherapy services and consultant teams in community and acute settings
• Make referrals to secondary care and social services within locally agreed protocols, guidance and pathways
• Develop consultation skills to enable shared patient practitioner decisions
• Be able to justify choice of physiotherapy and clinical referrals

• Develop harmonious and effective relationships across all practice teams and with patients.
• Offer comprehensive services to patients, developing where appropriate support/on-going plan of care
• Evaluate patients response to management plans and the effectiveness of care
• Work in partnership with the patient at all times to attain maximum participation in treatment programmes
• Provide expert advice, instructions and teach management of a condition to patients
• Record or dictate the physical condition and review the history of patients in consultations
• Support and implement patient safety initiatives and systems required by the practice
• Be accountable for own decisions
• Integrate the First Contact Physiotherapist role into the wider primary care team
• Work with other specialists to support the development of patients management plans
• Be active in providing mentoring and coaching to clinicians
• Be open to being mentored and coached by other clinicians

Administration Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely summarising of patient medical records using appropriate written and electronic documentation according to the practice guidelines and policies
• Contribute and participate in audits, research, evaluation and clinical standard setting within the Practice
• Work with all governance and internal systems relating to the management of clinical systems and data
• Record clear IT based consultation notes to agreed standards.
• Ensure all practice policies are fully applied
• Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes

Training and Responsibilities

• Undertake any relevant training provided by the Practice
• Undertake effective professional development as necessary to keep up to date with current requirements and in line with Practice policy
• Review and develop specialist clinical and diagnostic skills in response to the service need continuously

• Undertake any relevant training as required relating to organisational standards and changes to software or systems
• Support and work closely with administrative and other clinical members of staff in the organisation/improvement of the practice systems for Clinical Governance and Quality Indicator targets
• Demonstrate skills and activities to others who may be undertaking similar work
• Attend courses and/or study days (internal and external) required to ensure professional development and improvements are met with new guidelines
• To keep up to date with latest developments/guidelines

Quality

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet organisational needs.
• Effectively manage own time and workload.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

• Have a working knowledge, and contribute to Surgery handbooks, internal policies and procedures.
• Leave the workstation area tidy and ready for incoming colleague with information on any unresolved queries.
• Be conversant with and implement the Health and Safety at Work Act, Employment Law, The Data Protection Act and other legislation relative to the role.
• Be conversant with the CQC outcomes and ensure they are complied with.
• Undertake any relevant training as required relating to organisational standards and changes to software or systems.
• Develop harmonious and effective relationships across all practice teams and with patients.
• Undertake effective professional development as necessary to keep up to date with current requirements and in line with Practice policy.
• Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.
• The above list of duties is not exhaustive and may be subject to change as deemed necessary.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be main to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CBR) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Infection Prevention & Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

THE ABOVE LIST OF RESPONSIBILITES IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER DISCUSSION WITH MANAGER WHERE APPROPRIATE.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The post holder will be required to use VDU frequently, for prolonged periods of time.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSC in Physiotherapy
• Qualification and experience in MSK (Musculoskeletal Conditions)
• Registered with Health Care Professions Council

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a healthcare environment
• Experience of pursuing medical investigations such as pathology tests and X-Ray
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience of managing complex workloads and prioritisation
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of related medical conditions, treatments and pharmacology

Desirable

• Experience working in primary care/general practice
• Experience of working with EMIS
• Previous experience in this role

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Management of patients with common acute medical conditions and long term conditions
• Knowledge of clinical procedures and medical terminology
• Clinical practice and examination skills
• Keyboard and computer skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter personal skills
• Ability to listen and empathise
• Good time management
• Knowledge to undertake a structured clinical assessment
• Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
• Evidence of understanding the needs of the healthcare sector and the patients it serves

Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• Commitment to continuing clinical education and professional development
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness common sense and take direction as appropriate
• Ability to follow policies and procedures
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues
• Adaptable, innovative, forward looking
• Methodical and organised

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).