PCN First Contact Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

1. 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.

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

3. Contribute to development of service delivery.

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

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

6. 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).

7. Through patient assessment and working in partnership with patients and their carers, make decisions about the best pathway of care, informed by the urgency and severity of patient need, patient acuity and dependency, and the most appropriate deployment of resources.

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

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

10. Use a range of clinical skills which may include:

a. non-medical independent prescribing

b. joint / soft tissue injections

c. joint aspirations

11. Provide learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team within primary care at network of Practice level.

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

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

Qualifications

Essential

• -Undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy.
• -Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Physiotherapist.
• -Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or appropriate professional body.
• -Completed Level 7 Modules in MSK related areas of practice (advanced assessment / diagnosis / treatment).
• -Evidence of continuing professional development in relevant clinical and management areas.
• -Evidence of completion of Stage 1 of the FCP roadmap (e.g. the knowledge/skills and attributes).

Desirable

• -A Masters Level qualification or equivalent specialist musculoskeletal knowledge, skills and experience.
• -Postgraduate FCP Module.
• -Clinical supervision / mentoring qualification.
• -May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Consultation skills.
• Advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognise own professional limits, and knowledge of when to seek help.
• Commitment to supporting patients with behaviour change and self-management.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise, self-manage and self-motivate.
• Awareness and understanding of the MSK Competency Framework for First Contact Physiotherapists and HEE Roadmap for FCP/APs MSK Primary Care.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships and networks across the multidisciplinary team.
• Able to respond to the demands of the service across 4 different GP practices.
• Computer literacy.
• Enthusiastic and supportive.

Desirable

• An understanding of funding streams to general practice.
• Experienced in joint injections and aspiration.
• Experience with health promotion

Experience

Essential

• Able to demonstrate experience in core physiotherapy and MSK physiotherapy.

Desirable

• Experience of working in or with Primary Care.
• Experience of using EMIS Web.

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).