First Contact Practitioner

Job summary

We delighted to offer an opportunity for a Band 7 Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner (FCP) registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) to join our well-established FCP service within East Staffordshire Primary Care Network (PCN).

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner who has relevant postgraduate MSK experience, as well as having completed at least stage 1 of the FCP roadmap to practice. You will be supported to complete any relevant required post graduate training.

You will be joining a network of established FCP staff and will be supported by our FCP clinical lead, alongside our advanced practice physiotherapists within our local MSK therapy services. You will be well supported and empowered to deliver services consistent with our Trust values whilst working at an advanced level within the clinical pillar of practice, having skills to assess/triage and managing a variety of MSK problems.

The role will involve seeing patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions, without prior referral from their GP, establishing a diagnosis, management plan, whilst facilitating self-management or arranging onward referrals to the appropriate services.

You may also be supported to deliver an element of virtual clinical consultations in addition to face-to-face consultations.

You will need to be flexible and able to travel to work in various locations across the Trust as the service requires. It will also include lone working.

Main duties of the job

As an advanced clinician, a person-centred approach to patient management will be required to help embed population health and health prevention strategies into clinical consultations.

As part of this role, you will also be expected to:

• Design and implement 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.
• Request and interpret diagnostic requests, as well as administering joint and soft tissue injections, dependent on service need.
• Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring onwards as required and including social prescribing when appropriate.
• Leading health and work conversations with the appropriate patients and certifying or amending fit notes where relevant.
• Participate in evaluating the service, audit and research.
• Support with ongoing development and peer support, as well having access to clinical quality and performance data to help with quality improvement.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications