Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Wandsworth GP Federation

Wandsworth GP Federation is a GP practice-owned community interest company and social enterprise set up to provide quality healthcare for all the people of Wandsworth.We have a record of providing patient focused healthcare services, while working to improve the capability of the Wandsworth healthcare system to provide better services for its patients.

Our Musculoskeletal Interface Clinical Assessment Service (MICAS) has been operating for over 5 years offering Wandsworth patients community based, local access to MSK services in Wandsworth.

Our clinical team compromises of Sports & Exercise Medicine Doctors, GPs with Extended Role in MSK, and Advance Practice Physiotherapists. The team work as autonomous clinicians, with regular supervision and 1-1s meetings. There are also regular team meetings held where there is an opportunity to share learning and discuss interesting cases.

We work closely with other local Providers within the MSK pathway which offers the benefit of integrating community and acute care more seamlessly.

Job Summary

To provide a highly specialised musculoskeletal assessment service for patients who have been referred directly by local GPs for MSK related conditions. The clinician will work autonomously, making diagnostic decisions and ensuring patients are managed in accordance with national and local guidelines. They will operate as an advanced practice physiotherapist and team member within the Musculoskeletal Service Interface Service.

Relationships

The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by the organisation with mutual respect and open and honest communication.

Internal Relationships

Service Manager, Clinical Leads and Administration team.

External Relationships

MSK colleagues within Wandsworth

General Practitioners

Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Pain services with Secondary care

Radiology and imaging departments

Social Services

The patients and their family and carers

Any relevant services to support the care of patients

Clinical Responsibilities

The post holder will demonstrate expert clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions including:

Working at an expert level in the assessment of musculoskeletal conditions with a high level of autonomy.

Making comprehensive assessment and high-level clinical decisions on the most appropriate care pathway for patients referred to the service through use of expert knowledge and liaison with other key professionals.

Demonstrate advanced understanding of the Biopsychosocial Model of patient care and implement this model in the early intervention phase for the patients.

To work as a lone practitioner when required and be comfortable with own skills and knowledge.

Use outcome measures as part of your clinical approach.

Demonstrate understanding of the most recent approaches to MSK related conditions.

To provide patient education on such topics as body mechanics, anatomy and physiology and specific information on clinical conditions in both one-to-one and group situations.

To maintain accurate records.

To communicate effectively, using a variety of methods, with all service users and other members of the MICAS team.

To communicate effectively with external stakeholders (including clinical colleagues, administrative colleagues, receptionists, and external healthcare professionals etc.)

Request diagnostic tests e.g. x-ray, blood tests and MRI Scan appropriately following period of training.

Work in collaboration and refer appropriately and directly to acute & other provider services.

Liaise directly with referrers as required on individual cases.

Professional Responsibilities

The post holder will demonstrate advanced organisational skills including

Contribute to the overall design of the service and be responsible for the implementation of the pathways associated with the service.

To initiate and undertake evidence-based departmental audit and research projects, to further develop own and MSK service clinical practice.

The post holder will demonstrate essential communication and interpersonal skills that will allow them to influence and develop effective relationships with multidisciplinary colleagues as required.

The post holder will demonstrate skills in reporting and presenting information in meetings which will allow them to convey essential information from the service.

Use medical equipment responsibly and safely in accordance with the medical devices SOP.

Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care, in accordance with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Core Standards 2000 and Trust clinical guidelines.

Patient Focussed

Patients are treated with dignity and respect at all times

Patients are at the centre of and actively involved with their care

You describe to the patient in such a way that they understand their condition and options. e.g. using jargon-free and commonly used terms with printed or online materials provided (where needed)

Operate clinics on time or ensure patients are advised (by reception) of any delays including delegated actions

Ensure any safeguarding or vulnerable adult concerns are raised in accordance with our policies and procedures

Professional Development and CPD

Maintain a broad and high standard of practice working to the CSP Codes of Practice

To have a knowledge of and compliance with relevant legal frameworks

Work within own extended scope of practice and seek appropriate support where required

To keep abreast of national clinical and professional agendas and published frameworks, guidance, standards, policies and protocols relevant to the service

To maintain and develop own Continuous Professional Development and appraisals

Quality Assurance

Ensure you are aware of and adhere to all relevant policies and procedures relating to your role

Any incidents, serious incidents, or significant events are promptly raised or where any information is requested of you, this is provided in a timely way

Any patient wishing to make a complaint, raise a concern, make a compliment are appropriately sign posted to WGPF

Team working

Attend and contribute to team meetings

Adhere to agreed pathways and procedures to ensure a consistent approach is delivered across the service

Promote team working across clinical and non-clinical colleagues

The list of key responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 6 years post graduate experience with minimum 4 years within a MSK setting
• Member of HCPC and CSP
• Degree/diploma in physiotherapy
• Evidence of relevant post graduate qualifications/study at Masters level
• Working towards APP competency framework
• Documented evidence of CPD, in accordance with HCPC recommendations
• CSP member or evidence of public indemnity insurance

Desirable

• Post Grad qualification in Injection Therapy
• MSc/post graduate diploma in relevant field

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• To have the ability to remain calm when working under pressure and work without close supervision
• Excellent keyboard and accuracy skills with regard to data entry
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Entering information on to electronic patient record accurately
• Multi-tasking Skills
• Good knowledge of current best practice in physiotherapy in the relevant setting

Desirable

• EMIS user
• Evidence of achieving personal goals

Experience

Essential

• Working at specialist physio/APP level independently
• Working in the community setting
• Requesting diagnostics within an MSK setting
• Working within a MDT
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Wandsworth GP Federation

Address

Bolingbroke Medical Centre

Wakehurst Road

London

SW11 6BF

Employer's website

https://wandsgpfed.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)