First Contact Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

• You will be the primary clinical contact for (pre-triaged) patients presenting with MSK conditions or symptoms, providing the patient with the primary assessment, diagnosis and management options for their conditions.
• Provide high levels of clinical expertise across MSK, Rheumatology and Persistent Pain, and make decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions). This will involve seeing patients, who may or may not have had prior contact with their GP, to establish a diagnosis and management plan.
• Request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of tests such as x-rays and blood test, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
• Deliver short interventions to support patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, utilising other healthcare professionals as well as social and exercise prescribers to minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.

Clinical responsibilities:

• Takes professional responsibility as a first contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess and diagnose patients.
• Manages a complex caseload in both the face to face or virtual setting (including patients with long-term conditions, co- morbidities, psychosocial and mental health needs, and other multi-factorial needs)
• Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice
• Required to complete stage 1 (if not done so already) and 2 of HEE MSK RoadMap whilst in employment.
• Use professional judgement and advanced clinical reasoning skills to make decisions about safe and effective patient care in unpredictable situations, including when there is incomplete/contradictory information.
• To be able to work autonomously as a lone practitioner.
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of the impact of physiotherapeutic interventions on existing conditions and treatment programmes e.g. podiatric treatment, drug therapies, etc.
• 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 and utilities effective shared decision making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for the persons level of activation)
• 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 with emphasis on health prevention and early intervention, including through the delivery of public health advice (e.g. relating to physical activity, weight management and smoking cessation)
• If service needs require, be trained to use a range of clinical skills which may include:

a) Non-medical independent prescribing

b) Joint / soft tissue injections

• Exercises professional judgement, making, justifying, and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete/contradictory information
• For patients that remain the responsibility of primary care services, take the lead for the management of the patients journey on their care pathway, acting as the link for the patient between primary care and other services/professionals.
• Be able to justify clinically referrals to other specialist services. This will include referral to acute and specialist services such as Surgical Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Neurology, other AHP services, nursing services and to the primary care medical teams. This requires advanced knowledge of the role of other specialist health professionals.
• An ability to recognise RED flags, serious pathology and potential underlying non MSK related disease, that may present as MSK symptoms and to refer appropriately with guidance of Duty GP / Advanced practitioner. When needed accelerate the patients referral to other health professionals/services.
• Provides learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team within primary care.
• Plan and organise the FCP service efficiently, ensuring delivery in-line with service expectations.
• Integrate the FCP role into the wider primary care team, proactively working with the primary care team to build robust relationships and integrate working practices.
• Work collaboratively with the primary care team, including working across the Primary Care Network (PCN) and also in partnership with business managers, professional managers and lead clinicians of secondary, community and other care providers to improve service delivery and meet the identified needs of the local patient population.
• Use influence and contribution to the PCN to promote the contribution of FCPs to MSK services in primary care and to the wider related services in the health economy.
• Work with the primary care team to support preventative strategies for local populations, patient groups and individuals.
• Participate in peer networking and support underpinned by active engagement in peer review and embracing evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of wider health, healthcare and social care agencies related to MSK conditions and physiotherapy.
• Contribute to monitoring and review of service standards for MSK primary care services. Including established clinical, professional and service standards.
• Be aware of and able to demonstrate how the FCP role contributes to the achievement of key performance indicators KPIs for MSK primary care services. Identifying where own FCP role is supporting delivery of KPIs.
• Represent the FCP primary care service at internal primary care meetings and at external forums/service meetings including CCG and other strategic regional forums involved in the development of FCPs and/or MSK pathways.
• With Advance practitioner and locality Clinical Lead works to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services
• With support from the nominated Advance practitioner adopts and implements the use of outcome measures and patient experience to audit the clinical effectiveness of the FCP service to facilitate service development.
• Contribute to the use of healthcare technologies to optimise the integration of service delivery (across teams, sectors, and settings) and patients access and continuity of care

Please see the attached job description for a full outline of the role

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Advanced knowledge of Physiotherapy management for diverse musculoskeletal conditions and knowledge of specialist services in the community and secondary care for musculoskeletal conditions e.g., Pain services, Rheumatology etc.
• Demonstrates ability through shared decision making to 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
• Understanding of a broad range of interventions for managing musculoskeletal conditions including injection therapy, prescribing, social prescribing and promoting nonpharmacological solutions to patient care
• Discretion in the handling of sensitive and confidential information.

Desirable

• Able to establish, maintain and develop effective communications across the Practice and with external organisations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build professional and personal credibility to gain the support of colleagues and external organisations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; able to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent time management skills, capable of prioritising and managing competing demands and workloads.

Qualifications

Essential

• Has completed an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy
• Has a Masters level qualification knowledge or the equivalent specialist knowledge skills and experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development in relevant clinical and management areas
• Is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council
• Can demonstrate working at level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment)

Desirable

• Holds the relevant public liability insurance

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Reliable, trustworthy, dependable and maintain confidentiality
• Calm, well organised and methodical
• Demonstrates initiative, flexible, able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team

Desirable

• Accessible and approachable

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Commitment to continuing professional development of self and others.
• Satisfactory completion of an enhanced check through the Vetting and Barring Service (this will be taken up if offered the post).
• Legal Right to work in the UK
• Hep B/MMR - Vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated.
• A commitment to anti-discriminatory practices in employment, training and service delivery.
• An understanding of Health and Safety responsibilities.
• Flexibility in working hours.

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the current issues and challenges facing primary care
• Extensive MSK postgraduate NHS or equivalent private practise experience, including managing complex MSK conditions
• Experience of escalating patients with conditions requiring specialist or medical input
• Demonstrate evidence-based approach to practice
• Experience in requesting and interpreting investigations

Desirable

• Experience in delivering training / teaching programmes of MSK learning in line with evidence-based practice to peers and junior staff
• Experience of working with IT programs and software such as Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the internet

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).