Job summary
A First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) is an experienced clinician who works within GP practices as the first point of contact for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues.
We offer a supportive and collaborative working environment. You'll be part of a forward thinking team that values high quality patient care.
Main duties of the job
Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact
physiotherapist and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care mainly
in relation to undifferentiated conditions. This will involve seeing patients, without
prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and
management plan.
Progress and request investigations to facilitate
diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived
from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests,
diagnostic services such as x-rays and blood test, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis
and the management plans of patients within the scope of the musculoskeletal scope of
practice.
Deliver programmes of supported patient
self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical
activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and that minimise the
need for pharmacological interventions.
About us
The post holder will be working as part of the Well Up North Primary Care Network (PCN), with a combined list of over 62000 patients and a group of 7 practices: Alnwick Medical Group, Belford Medical Group, Gas House Lane, Wooler Surgery, Greystoke Surgery, Union Brae and Well Close Medical Group.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Takes professional responsibility as an autonomous
first-contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess,
diagnose and triage patients.
- Manages a complex caseload (including patients with
long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs).
- Contributes to service delivery.
- Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC
registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and
engagement in evidence-based practice.
- Streamlines pathway of care by providing a responsive
service so that patients receive timely access to care.
- Ensures care is proactive, preventive in focus and
population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
- Provides 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).
- Supports patients to set their own goals and be
confident in their approach to self-management, skilfully blending patient and
clinicians agendas in consultations.
- Communicates effectively and appropriately with
patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, and
prognosis.
- Uses a range of clinical skills which may include
joint and soft tissue injections.
- Provides learning opportunities and education for the
whole multi professional team within primary care.
- Works with MDT colleagues, secondary care providers
and the third sector to develop more effective and streamlined clinical
pathways and services.
- Exercises professional judgement, making, justifying
and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the
context of incomplete/contradictory information.
- Manages 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Takes professional responsibility as an autonomous
first-contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess,
diagnose and triage patients.
- Manages a complex caseload (including patients with
long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs).
- Contributes to service delivery.
- Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC
registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and
engagement in evidence-based practice.
- Streamlines pathway of care by providing a responsive
service so that patients receive timely access to care.
- Ensures care is proactive, preventive in focus and
population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
- Provides 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).
- Supports patients to set their own goals and be
confident in their approach to self-management, skilfully blending patient and
clinicians agendas in consultations.
- Communicates effectively and appropriately with
patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, and
prognosis.
- Uses a range of clinical skills which may include
joint and soft tissue injections.
- Provides learning opportunities and education for the
whole multi professional team within primary care.
- Works with MDT colleagues, secondary care providers
and the third sector to develop more effective and streamlined clinical
pathways and services.
- Exercises professional judgement, making, justifying
and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the
context of incomplete/contradictory information.
- Manages 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a BSc (Hons) or MSc in Physiotherapy, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, ideally also registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
- Able to demonstrate in practice portfolio experience in core physiotherapy and MSK Physiotherapy with an absolute minimum of three years post-graduate experience in the MSK setting, likely 5 years total.
- Have already completed the HEE FCP Roadmap to Practice with a complete portfolio of evidence and a completed sign off stage one and stage two by a nationally registered FCP supervisor, OR, have completed the FCP Taught route in this option the practitioner undertakes a level 7 masters level module(s) at an education provider, which is mapped to the knowledge, skills and attributes in a FCP Roadmap. Then Stage 2 is completed as part of a level 7 module delivered in clinical practice.
Desirable
- It would be desirable that the successful candidate has completed an appropriate post-graduate qualification in therapeutic MSK joint and soft tissue injection with up-to-date skills via annual CPD.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a BSc (Hons) or MSc in Physiotherapy, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, ideally also registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
- Able to demonstrate in practice portfolio experience in core physiotherapy and MSK Physiotherapy with an absolute minimum of three years post-graduate experience in the MSK setting, likely 5 years total.
- Have already completed the HEE FCP Roadmap to Practice with a complete portfolio of evidence and a completed sign off stage one and stage two by a nationally registered FCP supervisor, OR, have completed the FCP Taught route in this option the practitioner undertakes a level 7 masters level module(s) at an education provider, which is mapped to the knowledge, skills and attributes in a FCP Roadmap. Then Stage 2 is completed as part of a level 7 module delivered in clinical practice.
Desirable
- It would be desirable that the successful candidate has completed an appropriate post-graduate qualification in therapeutic MSK joint and soft tissue injection with up-to-date skills via annual CPD.
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).
