Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Spinal)

The closing date is 21 October 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a Band 8a Advanced Clinical Practitioner with a particular interest in spinal conditions to join our team. The successful candidate will be able to work autonomously and as part of a team to provide high quality assessments for patients referred to the service by GPs and physiotherapists where first line management has not met their needs.

Advanced communication skills are essential along with knowledge of spinal anatomy, pathologies and appropriate care pathways.

The post advertised is 0.5 WTE and suitable for someone who is ACP accredited or currently working towards ACP accreditation.

Main duties of the job

Working as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the field of musculoskeletal medicine. The post holder will provide expert musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and advice to a complex and diverse range of patients within the specific specialism.

The post holder will:-

Undertake clinics, assessing new referrals from GP's, First Contract Practitioners, consultants, physiotherapists and podiatrists.

Be able to instigate advanced investigations such as x-rays, blood tests and MRI scans.

Initiate actions with freedom and autonomy to act, often advising Doctors and Physiotherapists on appropriate courses of action.

Ensure patients are assessed, given a diagnosis and management options are discussed including appropriateness for surgery where only the most complicated cases will be discussed with peers and relevant consultant colleagues.

To act as skilled and expert resource to clinical colleagues e.g. Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and GPs with regard to musculoskeletal/orthopaedic issues.

To screen and filter referrals within the integrated MSK service and manage the care of those patients who otherwise would have been referred to and seen by a hospital consultant.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-3287

Job locations

Bridgwater Community Hospital

Bower Lane

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 4GU


Shepton Mallet Comm Hospital

Old Wells Road

Shepton Mallet

Somerset

BA4 4PG


Taunton Diagnostic Centre

Blackbrook Park Ave

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 2PX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached full job description.

In the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role in the Orthopaedic Assessment Service the post holder will:-

Manage patients as a fully autonomous practitioner with full responsibility for, and legal accountability for, individual clinical decisions and actions.

Have a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal knowledge with specialism in one main area of work; i.e. upper limb, lower limb, foot and ankle, spinal.

Provide an initial medical assessment and triage of patients referred into the Orthopaedic Assessment Service by GPs and hospital consultants, with a variety of diverse or complex musculoskeletal problems.

The post holder will be expected to assess complex musculoskeletal patients. Complex because of:

* The clinical features of the patients.

* Long and frequently misleading history of the patient's condition.

* The patient's pain state may lead to severe anxiety and possibly aggressive behaviour.

Take into account the psychological and social, as well as medical aspects of the patient's care, in order to provide a holistic, patient-centred approach, referring to other specialists as necessary.

Promote simple strategies for patient management of long-term conditions for use by GPs and other physiotherapists and podiatrists.

To possess highly developed physical skills where a high degree of precision is required. Sensory coordination is important, for example the delivery of intra-articular injections and manual therapeutic techniques.

Request specialist investigations such as x-rays, Ultrasound & MRI scans etc as appropriate.

Sensitively explain the results of investigations and clinical diagnosis including the prognosis (of the musculoskeletal condition), the possible need for surgery; including, when appropriate, being the clinician to inform the patients of the existence of very serious pathology, i.e. tumour/metastases.

To understand and use the process of referral to other health professionals or agencies, which requires specialist knowledge across a broad range of medical conditions i.e. vascular, neurology and rheumatology.

Refer patients to other consultants, for example, for neurological, rheumatological, vascular, oncology or pain management as necessary. This requires knowledge and understanding of the role of other health professionals, and a high level comparison of the range of conservative or surgical options for the patient

Instigate appropriate treatment programmes:

* List patients for surgery; both for major surgery requiring an in-patient stay and for smaller day cases, only the most complex cases need to be discussed with Consultant colleagues

* Provide specialised advice for patients to help them with self-management and acceptance of their chronic pain/reduced function, with an emphasis on evidence based biopsychosocial model of care.

* Provide specialised and expert advice on physiotherapy /podiatry management.

* Refer patients for physiotherapy, occupational therapy or podiatry as appropriate.

Follow up patients in clinic after investigations and/or surgery.

Carry out all interventions within personal scope of practice and in line with local and nationally recognised approaches, guidelines and standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached full job description.

In the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role in the Orthopaedic Assessment Service the post holder will:-

Manage patients as a fully autonomous practitioner with full responsibility for, and legal accountability for, individual clinical decisions and actions.

Have a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal knowledge with specialism in one main area of work; i.e. upper limb, lower limb, foot and ankle, spinal.

Provide an initial medical assessment and triage of patients referred into the Orthopaedic Assessment Service by GPs and hospital consultants, with a variety of diverse or complex musculoskeletal problems.

The post holder will be expected to assess complex musculoskeletal patients. Complex because of:

* The clinical features of the patients.

* Long and frequently misleading history of the patient's condition.

* The patient's pain state may lead to severe anxiety and possibly aggressive behaviour.

Take into account the psychological and social, as well as medical aspects of the patient's care, in order to provide a holistic, patient-centred approach, referring to other specialists as necessary.

Promote simple strategies for patient management of long-term conditions for use by GPs and other physiotherapists and podiatrists.

To possess highly developed physical skills where a high degree of precision is required. Sensory coordination is important, for example the delivery of intra-articular injections and manual therapeutic techniques.

Request specialist investigations such as x-rays, Ultrasound & MRI scans etc as appropriate.

Sensitively explain the results of investigations and clinical diagnosis including the prognosis (of the musculoskeletal condition), the possible need for surgery; including, when appropriate, being the clinician to inform the patients of the existence of very serious pathology, i.e. tumour/metastases.

To understand and use the process of referral to other health professionals or agencies, which requires specialist knowledge across a broad range of medical conditions i.e. vascular, neurology and rheumatology.

Refer patients to other consultants, for example, for neurological, rheumatological, vascular, oncology or pain management as necessary. This requires knowledge and understanding of the role of other health professionals, and a high level comparison of the range of conservative or surgical options for the patient

Instigate appropriate treatment programmes:

* List patients for surgery; both for major surgery requiring an in-patient stay and for smaller day cases, only the most complex cases need to be discussed with Consultant colleagues

* Provide specialised advice for patients to help them with self-management and acceptance of their chronic pain/reduced function, with an emphasis on evidence based biopsychosocial model of care.

* Provide specialised and expert advice on physiotherapy /podiatry management.

* Refer patients for physiotherapy, occupational therapy or podiatry as appropriate.

Follow up patients in clinic after investigations and/or surgery.

Carry out all interventions within personal scope of practice and in line with local and nationally recognised approaches, guidelines and standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Refer to your Person Specification for full details:
  • Degree/diploma level education leading to State Registration by the Health and Care Professions Council (UK) as a Physiotherapist/Podiatrist OR other appropriate professional qualification and registration
  • Competency assessment of MSK skills i.e. imaging training, interpretation of diagnostics
  • Significant post gradual learning relevant to MSK care equivalent to at least that of a Master's degree
  • ACP accredited or currently working towards ACP accreditation

Experience

Essential

  • Refer to your Person Specification for full details
  • Wide experience of management of a range of musculoskeletal problems with an emphasis on a particular specialityExperience in teaching musculoskeletal medicine as part of clinical role

Desirable

  • Management experience in Healthcare
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Refer to your Person Specification for full details:
  • Degree/diploma level education leading to State Registration by the Health and Care Professions Council (UK) as a Physiotherapist/Podiatrist OR other appropriate professional qualification and registration
  • Competency assessment of MSK skills i.e. imaging training, interpretation of diagnostics
  • Significant post gradual learning relevant to MSK care equivalent to at least that of a Master's degree
  • ACP accredited or currently working towards ACP accreditation

Experience

Essential

  • Refer to your Person Specification for full details
  • Wide experience of management of a range of musculoskeletal problems with an emphasis on a particular specialityExperience in teaching musculoskeletal medicine as part of clinical role

Desirable

  • Management experience in Healthcare

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridgwater Community Hospital

Bower Lane

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 4GU


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bridgwater Community Hospital

Bower Lane

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 4GU


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Andrew Marsh

Andrew.Marsh@somersetft.nhs.uk

07570799274

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-3287

Job locations

Bridgwater Community Hospital

Bower Lane

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 4GU


Shepton Mallet Comm Hospital

Old Wells Road

Shepton Mallet

Somerset

BA4 4PG


Taunton Diagnostic Centre

Blackbrook Park Ave

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 2PX


Supporting documents

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