Self-Employed First Contact Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Enhanced Access (EA) MSK Job Descriptions for First Contact Physiotherapists (Musculoskeletal roles)

Job Title: EA First Contact Physiotherapist (musculoskeletal conditions)

Responsible to: Leeds GP Confederation EA Service Associate Director of Clinical Professions

Accountable to: Leeds GP Confederation EA MSK Professional Lead

Responsible for: Delivery of EA FCP MSK Patient Assessment & Management

Hours of work: No contracted hours by application through TeamNet.

Salary: £36.30/hour

Supervision

The role is supported by the MSK Professional Lead for Leeds GP Confederation and Associate Director of Clinical Professions

Scope of the Clinical Role

1. Be the first point of contact for expert clinical assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with MSK conditions in primary care/GP practices using the EA service. This will include patients who present with a range of complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs and underlying pathologies/other primary conditions and maybe via remote access (telephone) or face to face service provision.

2. Receive patients who self-refer (where systems permit) or from a member of reception team or clinical professional within the Leeds GP Confed EA service, and where required refer to other health professionals within the EA service, PCNs or other providers.

3. Use advance clinical practice skills and clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive treatment support to patients who present with complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs

4. Work independently, without in-person day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients whilst liaising with the EA MSK Professional Lead where appropriate

5. Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients through:

a. effective shared decision-making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for a patients level of activation)

b. assessing levels of Patient Activation to support a patients own level of knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their conditions, ensuring they are able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions, particularly for those at low levels of activation

c. agreeing with patients appropriate support for self-management through referral to rehabilitation focussed services and wider social prescribing as appropriate

d. designing and implementing plans that facilitate behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions

e. utilisation of physiotec exercise program platform for patients treatment programs with supportive SMS.

f. book patients into follow-up or face to face appointments with yourself or another clinician as clinically justified utilising SMS services to communicate these appointments

6. independently recognise where diagnostic tests including routine and specialist x-rays, MRI imaging, ultrasound scans and blood and other pathology tests are required. Interpret the results alongside traditional physiotherapeutic assessment techniques and non-clinical information to aid clinical diagnosis and decisions on potential treatment options/clinical interventions

7. be able to clinically justify referral onto appropriate MSK pathways (e.g. joint injections) or community care spinal treatment service, rehabilitation services or secondary care services such as rheumatology, orthopaedic and neurology.

8. 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

9. demonstrate understanding of the impact of physiotherapeutic interventions on existing conditions and treatment programmes e.g. podiatric treatment, drug therapies, etc. ensuring that physiotherapy interventions are integrated and supportive of the whole treatment aims promoting a holistic approach to condition management

10. recognise potential underlying non-MSK related disease and conditions that present as MSK symptoms and to refer appropriately.

11. work in partnership with the patient at all times to attain maximum participation in treatment programmes. This will include working with patients from diverse social background and cultures and understanding how this will affect treatment proposals and models

12. be accountable for decisions and actions via Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice

Service/Professional Leadership/Consultancy

13. Integrate the FCP role into the wider primary care team, proactively working with the primary care team to build robust relationships and practices where practicable by providing expert advice and source of expertise in the management of musculoskeletal conditions to specialist healthcare professionals and members of the primary care team, including advising GPs on management of MSK conditions

14. Contribute to the development of referral guidelines for MSK and MSK related conditions from primary care to other NHS services that will direct referrals to other primary care services, community, secondary and tertiary [specialist] services through feedback to the MSK Professional Lead

15. Work with the PCN team to support preventative strategies for local populations, patient groups and individuals

16. Active engagement in annual development review processes and peer review, embracing evidence-based practice

17. Contribute to monitoring and review of service standards for MSK primary care services through feedback back on EA service of peers to MSK professional Lead if best practice has not been followed

18. Participate in/support investigations into complaints and clinical errors/incidents when appropriate

Education/Workforce & Self Development

19. Participate in developing education and training of specialist physiotherapists up-to post-graduate level to support the development of advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge within the wider physiotherapy workforce if mutually agreeable

20. Provide ad hoc training and supervision, some of which maybe to postgraduate level, for specialist primary care professionals, including GPs in order for them to develop specialist MSK patient referral and management skills

21. Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and mandatory training

22. Provide and receive clinical supervision through supportive WhatsApp groups for the EA service

23. Maintain a professional portfolio of advanced clinical practice knowledge and skills through participation in internal and external development opportunities

Research and Evaluation

24. Promote and lead the integration of evidence-based practice and national guidelines into own and local FCP MSK service practice

25. Use expert knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and national frameworks to influence the development of FCP services within the primary care team

26. Lead or participate in research and MDT research projects as appropriate. This may include participation in cross organisational research and audit programmes.

27. Present and disseminate research and clinical audit findings to the primary care team as required.

28. Use audit and research to develop and improve service guidelines, care protocols, delivery of triage services and referral pathways

Communication/Building Networks

29. When opportunities present, take the lead in communicating and influencing across the PCN the benefits of the FCP role in primary care

30. Promote and explain the FCP role and what it can deliver to a range of audiences including patient groups, individual patients and other primary care team members, including GPs

31. Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and their carers. This will include explaining the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choices available to manage multi-pathology and complex conditions. It will also involve communicating limitations on treatment outcomes and managing expectations of patients with chronic or life limiting conditions

This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of developing organisational and service needs and wherever possible change will follow consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• FCP Sign Off

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

Leeds GP Confederation

Address

3 White Rose Office Park

Millshaw Park Lane

Leeds

LS11 0DL

Employer's website

https://www.leedsgpconfederation.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)