Job summary
As a Spinal MSK Practitioner, you will lead the transformation of spinal care across the region. Working within our advanced practice-led interface service and Single Point of Access (SPOA), you will be responsible manage complex spinal caseloads, make autonomous clinical decisions, and collaborating with spinal surgeons, pain specialists, and MDTs to deliver seamless, patient-centred care.
You will be instrumental in:
- Triage and prioritisation of complex spinal referrals, especially for patients at risk of work loss.
- Advanced diagnostics and clinical reasoning, including MRI, X-rays, and bloods.
- Service development, pathway redesign, and integration aligned with GIRFT and the National Back Pain Pathway.
- Clinical leadership, mentoring IMSK staff and supporting CPD.
- Research, audit, and quality improvement to shape future spinal services.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Spinal MSK Practitioner is multifaceted, encompassing service delivery, clinical leadership, practice development, education, research, and professional growth. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the development and integration of a Single Point of Access (SPOA) for spinal patients in North Cumbria, aligned with the National Back Pain Pathway, GIRFT guidance, and the existing IMSK advanced practice-led interface service.
The overarching aim is for the Spinal MSK Practitioner to lead and support the SPOA, ensuring the delivery of cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality services that meet the needs of patients with spinal conditions.
About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':
- Being a clinically led organisation
- Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
- A positive patient experience every time
- A great place to work
- Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see ourPolicy for eligible vacancies.
AHP - Return to Practice Job Advert information(Please ask recruiting manager and delete if not appropriate) This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.
******** To include Band specific / Care certificate wordings here********
Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.
The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
*Subject to eligibility
Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see ourPolicy for eligible vacancies.
AHP - Return to Practice Job Advert information(Please ask recruiting manager and delete if not appropriate) This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.
******** To include Band specific / Care certificate wordings here********
Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.
The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
*Subject to eligibility
Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Physiotherapy or relevant professional field
- Post graduate specialist training/experience to Masters level in relevant field.
- Valid registration with professional regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC).
- On-going evidence of continued professional development within the specialist field.
- Relevant validated clinical courses at specialist level
Desirable
- MSc in relevant field
- IRMER/MRI safety training
- Radiological Interpretation Course
- Non-Medical Prescribing
- MSc Module in Injection Therapy or Diploma in Injection Therapy
- Advanced Practice accreditation with centre for Advancing Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience in relevant field.
- Experience of working alongside Spinal, orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants in a clinic situation or senior/advanced practitioners in specialist areas.
- Experience of peer, student and junior supervision.
- High level of communication skills.
- Experience in providing coaching to patients and to support staff.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a multi-professional MSK team.
- Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of multiple disciplines (rehabilitation, surgery, pain management etc),
- Awareness of current initiatives within the local and national health economy.
- High level knowledge of referral criteria to other specialists.
- High level knowledge of professional practice, and ability to be innovative and proactive to enhance the service.
- Knowledge of strategic issues which influence area of practice at a local and national level.
- Knowledge of audit and research processes
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to this post.
- Relevant validated clinical courses to MSc Level 7 or working towards this.
Skills
Essential
- Complex problem solving and assessment skills.
- Demonstrable analytical skills and judgement when dealing with the management of complex patients and complex MSK presentations.
- High level communication skills with the ability to communicate complicated, sensitive or contentious information to patients, carers and colleagues in order to describe or explain, persuade, motivate or influence, give advice, instruction or training.
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to confidently, professionally and sensitively challenge the competence of others.
- Ability to develop and improve competence in clinical and organisational skills and apply to practice through CPD activities.
- Ability to work autonomously, and to pass on knowledge / skills to others within both formal and informal environments.
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner.
- An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession.
- Training and development of other healthcare professionals.
- Ability to understand and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of patients.
- Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes.
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- The post holder must be professional, responsible, flexible, adaptable, a good communicator and a team player.
- Display the ability to problem solve and manage change.
- Respond and adapt to the changing needs of the service.
- Act appropriately in distressing or emotional circumstances.
- Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of patients.
- Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers.
Other
Essential
- Clear vision of role/commitment to the speciality.
- Develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Physiotherapy or relevant professional field
- Post graduate specialist training/experience to Masters level in relevant field.
- Valid registration with professional regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC).
- On-going evidence of continued professional development within the specialist field.
- Relevant validated clinical courses at specialist level
Desirable
- MSc in relevant field
- IRMER/MRI safety training
- Radiological Interpretation Course
- Non-Medical Prescribing
- MSc Module in Injection Therapy or Diploma in Injection Therapy
- Advanced Practice accreditation with centre for Advancing Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience in relevant field.
- Experience of working alongside Spinal, orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants in a clinic situation or senior/advanced practitioners in specialist areas.
- Experience of peer, student and junior supervision.
- High level of communication skills.
- Experience in providing coaching to patients and to support staff.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a multi-professional MSK team.
- Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of multiple disciplines (rehabilitation, surgery, pain management etc),
- Awareness of current initiatives within the local and national health economy.
- High level knowledge of referral criteria to other specialists.
- High level knowledge of professional practice, and ability to be innovative and proactive to enhance the service.
- Knowledge of strategic issues which influence area of practice at a local and national level.
- Knowledge of audit and research processes
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to this post.
- Relevant validated clinical courses to MSc Level 7 or working towards this.
Skills
Essential
- Complex problem solving and assessment skills.
- Demonstrable analytical skills and judgement when dealing with the management of complex patients and complex MSK presentations.
- High level communication skills with the ability to communicate complicated, sensitive or contentious information to patients, carers and colleagues in order to describe or explain, persuade, motivate or influence, give advice, instruction or training.
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to confidently, professionally and sensitively challenge the competence of others.
- Ability to develop and improve competence in clinical and organisational skills and apply to practice through CPD activities.
- Ability to work autonomously, and to pass on knowledge / skills to others within both formal and informal environments.
- Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner.
- An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession.
- Training and development of other healthcare professionals.
- Ability to understand and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of patients.
- Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes.
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- The post holder must be professional, responsible, flexible, adaptable, a good communicator and a team player.
- Display the ability to problem solve and manage change.
- Respond and adapt to the changing needs of the service.
- Act appropriately in distressing or emotional circumstances.
- Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies of data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety and meet the differing needs of patients.
- Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers.
Other
Essential
- Clear vision of role/commitment to the speciality.
- Develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
