Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
First
Contact Physiotherapist
Accountable
to
Clinical
Director
Supervision:
General supervision is
received from the accountable GP(s). The amount of
supervision given will be in accordance with the needs of the FCP/MSK.
HOURS
OF WORK
30 hours per week
JOB
PURPOSE
Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist and
making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including
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.
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
CORE
RESPONSIBILITIES
Takes professional responsibility as a first-contact physiotherapist,
with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess,
diagnose and triage of patients
Manages a complex caseload (including patients with long-term
conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs)
Leads, manages and 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
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
non-medical independent prescribing
joint / soft tissue injections
joint aspirations
Provides learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team
within primary care.
Works with MDT 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
AND ONGOING LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
NB: it is
anticipated that the level of qualification held may vary according to the
level of position and the components of the role being carried out
Completion of an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, and registration
with the Health and Care Professions Council
Able to demonstrate in practice portfolio experience in core
physiotherapy and MSK physiotherapy
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification
May hold or be working towards a postgraduate physiotherapy
qualification
EXPERT
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Demonstrates general physiotherapy skills and knowledge in core areas
Is able to plan, manage, monitor, advise and review general
physiotherapy care programmes for patients in core areas, including disease
states / long term conditions identified by local Needs Assessment
Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and
direct service provision.
Exercise a critical understanding of personal scope of practice and to
identify when a patient needs referring on and where there are opportunities
for developing the scope and competence of the wider MDT to meet patient care
needs
Integrates a broad range of interventions into practice, including
injection therapy and independent prescribing, while also promoting
non-pharmacological solutions to patient care
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
Manage risk in unpredictable, uncertain situations to uphold patient
safety, including by referring on to other primary care team members and to
specialist services, as needed
Able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational
policies/procedures and codes of conduct
Involves patients in decision making and supporting adherence as per
NICE guidance
COLLABORATIVE
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Operate as a full member of the primary care team, including
contributing to leadership, service evaluation/improvement and research
activity
Manage and co-ordinate the care that individual patients receive,
including through liaising with other members of the MDT and with patients'
carers
Lead primary care activity, with a strong emphasis on prevention and
early intervention, including through the delivery of public health advice
(e.g. relating to physical activity, weight management and smoking cessation)
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
Contribute to the development of primary care teams, including through
contributing to others' learning
LEADERSHIP
Demonstrates understanding of the physiotherapy role in governance and
is able to implement this appropriately within the workplace
Demonstrates understanding of, and contributes to, the workplace vision
Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service
Reviews last years progress and develops clear plans to achieve results
within priorities set by others
Demonstrates ability to motivate self to achieve goals
MANAGEMENT
Demonstrates understanding of the implications of national priorities
for the team and/or service
Demonstrates understanding of the process for effective resource
utilisation
Demonstrates understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of
practice
Demonstrates ability to identify and resolve risk management issues
according to policy/protocol
Follows professional and organisational policies/procedures relating to
performance management
Represents the physiotherapy service on relevant committees and
meetings, as a lead physiotherapy clinician, provide input in relation to
specialist issues and clinical matters as required.
Assists Team Leaders in the efficient day to day management of the
musculoskeletal service.
EDUCATION,
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Understands and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to
members in the team and/or service
Demonstrates understanding of the mentorship process
Demonstrates ability to conduct teaching and assessment effectively
according to a learning plan with supervision from a more experienced colleague
Demonstrates self-development through continuous professional
development activity
Participates in the delivery of formal education programmes
Demonstrates an understanding of current educational policies relevant
to working areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical
practice
As clinical supervisor and educator, designs, develops and delivers
programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence based practice. to
peers and junior staff
RESEARCH
AND EVALUATION
Demonstrates ability to critically evaluate and review literature
Demonstrates ability to identify where there is a gap in the evidence
base to support practice
Demonstrates ability to generate evidence suitable for presentation at
local level
Demonstrates ability to apply the research evidence base into working
practice
Demonstrates understanding of the principles of research governance
Demonstrates ability to work as a member of the research team
OTHER DUTIES.
The post holder will be
required to undertake any other duties according to the needs of the service. This job description is not intended to be an
exhaustive list of activities, but rather an outline of the main areas of
responsibility. Any reasonable changes
will be discussed and agreed with the post holder before any variations to the
job description are made.
TRAVEL TO OTHER SITES.
The post holder will be
required to travel between all member Practice sites.