First Contact Practitioner - MSK Practitioner

Job responsibilities

The First Contact Physiotherapist will

Take professional responsibility as a first-contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess, diagnose, triage, and refer patients for onward treatment.

Support GPs with the management of complex caseloads (including patients with long-term conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs).

Contribute to development of service delivery.

Be accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.

Ensure care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.

Provide care which is tailored to the individual needs. This would include, appraising the impact of individuals clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status (including in relation to function, physical activity, mobility, and independence).

Support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.

Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.

Use a range of clinical skills which may include:

Non-medical independent prescribing

Joint/soft tissue injections

Joint aspirations

Provide learning opportunities for the whole multi-professional team within primary care at network practice level.

Exercise professional judgement, making, justifying, and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete/contradictory information.

Manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team sector and settings.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc or equivalent in Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registered
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
• Post Graduate qualification or evidence of working at an equivalent level on MSK Physiotherapy.

Desirable

• Extended scope skills i.e. diploma / MSc module in injection skills, nonmedical independent prescribing, or willingness to train

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent and ability to accurately assess and manage complex presentations autonomously to a high professional standard.
• Current IRMER training and the ability to request Xray investigations
• Knowledge of the radiology guidelines applied to MSK diagnosis
• Knowledge of pathology and blood tests used in MSK diagnosis
• Demonstrate working at advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience of clinical governance and training and an understanding of clinical governance in physiotherapy
• Evidence of CPD and post registration activity through portfolio
• Ability to work effectively within a small organisation and multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills

Desirable

• Non-Medical prescribing Qualification
• Extensive experience working as a Senior Physiotherapist/ Specialist/ Extended Scope Practitioner in the field of MSK
• Evidence of continuing Professional development
• Previously worked within Primary Care, NHS, or public-sector environment/team

Other

Essential

• Full UK Driving Licence and access to vehicle with business insurance to travel between PCN sites.
• In date DBS check
• Safeguarding adult and children
• Immunisation status
• UK Work Permit (if required)

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• SystmOne/EMIS experience
• Effective time management (planning and organising) skills
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Understanding of clinical risk management
• Self-Motivation
• Adaptable
• Ability to communicate complex and contentious information to patients in a clear and logical manner
• Sensitive and empathetic to distressing situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• High levels of integrity

Desirable

• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Understanding of the audit process

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).