CLICK PCN

First Contact Physiotherapist

The closing date is 31 March 2026

Job summary

The post-holder is a PCN First Contact Physiotherapist who acts within their professional boundaries.

A First Contact Physiotherapist operates at an advanced level of clinical practice with skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions. This will involve seeing patients, without prior referral from their GP, to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan thus streamlining pathways of care.

A First Contact Physiotherapist works independently in clinical practice and does not require day to day supervision. Patients can either self-refer or be referred by the PCNs members.

The post-holder will be an integral part of the general practice team.

Main duties of the job

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)

Work independently, without day-to-day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage and manage patientsand when required refer to other health professionals within the PCN.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients.

Developing skills relating to independent prescribing, injection therapy and investigation to make professional judgements and decisions in unpredictable situations, including when provided with incomplete or contradictory information. Take responsibility for making and justifying these decisions.

Manage complex interactions including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs.

Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Request and progress investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals.

Be accountable for decisions and actions via Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous health records.

Receive referrals and directed patients from triage services and other clinicians.

Review the latest guidance, ensuring the organisation conforms to NICE, CQC...

Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on safeguarding adults and safeguarding children.

Participate in the management of patient complaints.

Undertake mandatory and induction training

About us

CLICK (Chard, Ilminster and Langport) Primary Care Network (PCN) is located in South Somerset with 5 GP practices and a diverse population spread across town and rural locations. CLICK has a population size of around 50,000 patients.

Currently led under the Clinical Director leadership of Dr Christoph Kollmeier, the PCN is made up of:

Langport Surgery

Ariel Healthcare (Chard)

Summervale (Ilminster)

The Meadows (Ilminster)

Churchview (Ilminster)

As a PCN we are forward thinking, innovate and driven to deliver the best patient care for our population. This includes health population management, and this role ties in with supporting that and tracking the improvements we can make to patients lives.

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A4964-26-0001

Job locations

Langport Surgery

North Street

Langport

Somerset

TA10 9RH


Job description

Job responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the PCN First Contact Physiotherapist has the following wider responsibilities:

a. Work across the multi-disciplinary team to create and evaluate effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services

b. Provide leadership and support on MSK clinical and service development across the PCN, alongside learning opportunities for the whole multidisciplinary team within primary care

c. Develop relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN, supporting the integration of pathways in primary care

d. Encourage collaborative working across the wider health economy and be a key contributor to supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical services across the PCN

e. Liaise with secondary and community care services, and secondary and community MSK services where required, using local social and community interventions as required to support the management of patients within the PCN

f. Support regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) programme. This will include communicating outcomes and integrating findings into own and wider service practice and pathway development

g. Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives

h. Deliver training, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medical emergencies

i. Support virtual and remote models of consultation and support, including e-consultations

j. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner

k. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility

Job description

Job responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the PCN First Contact Physiotherapist has the following wider responsibilities:

a. Work across the multi-disciplinary team to create and evaluate effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services

b. Provide leadership and support on MSK clinical and service development across the PCN, alongside learning opportunities for the whole multidisciplinary team within primary care

c. Develop relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN, supporting the integration of pathways in primary care

d. Encourage collaborative working across the wider health economy and be a key contributor to supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical services across the PCN

e. Liaise with secondary and community care services, and secondary and community MSK services where required, using local social and community interventions as required to support the management of patients within the PCN

f. Support regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) programme. This will include communicating outcomes and integrating findings into own and wider service practice and pathway development

g. Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives

h. Deliver training, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medical emergencies

i. Support virtual and remote models of consultation and support, including e-consultations

j. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner

k. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility

Person Specification

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Effective time management (planning and organising)
  • Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
  • Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct
  • Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
  • Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
  • High level of written and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Good interpersonal and organisational skills
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality
  • Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Desirable

  • Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet
  • Effectively utilise resources

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working autonomously or as part of a team.
  • Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and Enhanced Services.
  • Knowledge of national standards that inform practice (NSF, NICE guidelines).
  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people by telephone, email and face to face.
  • Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisational skills with the ability to constructively challenge the views and practices of managers and clinicians.
  • Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
  • Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to another healthcare professional .
  • Ability to record accurate clinical notes .

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a primary care setting
  • An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationships between individual practices, PCNs and the commissioners
  • Good clinical system IT knowledge
  • Broad knowledge of clinical governance

Qualifications

Essential

  • Completed an undergraduate degree level as a physiotherapist
  • Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Has a Masters level qualification or the equivalent specialist knowledge, skills, and experience
  • Holds the relevant public liability insurance
  • Can demonstrate working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment) so that they can deliver the primary key responsibilities outlined above
Person Specification

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Effective time management (planning and organising)
  • Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
  • Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct
  • Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
  • Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk
  • Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
  • Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
  • High level of written and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Good interpersonal and organisational skills
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality
  • Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Desirable

  • Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet
  • Effectively utilise resources

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working autonomously or as part of a team.
  • Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and Enhanced Services.
  • Knowledge of national standards that inform practice (NSF, NICE guidelines).
  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people by telephone, email and face to face.
  • Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisational skills with the ability to constructively challenge the views and practices of managers and clinicians.
  • Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
  • Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to another healthcare professional .
  • Ability to record accurate clinical notes .

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a primary care setting
  • An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationships between individual practices, PCNs and the commissioners
  • Good clinical system IT knowledge
  • Broad knowledge of clinical governance

Qualifications

Essential

  • Completed an undergraduate degree level as a physiotherapist
  • Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Has a Masters level qualification or the equivalent specialist knowledge, skills, and experience
  • Holds the relevant public liability insurance
  • Can demonstrate working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment) so that they can deliver the primary key responsibilities outlined above

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

CLICK PCN

Address

Langport Surgery

North Street

Langport

Somerset

TA10 9RH


Employer's website

https://langportsurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

CLICK PCN

Address

Langport Surgery

North Street

Langport

Somerset

TA10 9RH


Employer's website

https://langportsurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Nadine Ruddy

nadine.ruddy1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A4964-26-0001

Job locations

Langport Surgery

North Street

Langport

Somerset

TA10 9RH


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