First Contact Physiotherapist/Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To work as a First Contact Practitioner in GP practice to demonstrate highly specialist clinical reasoning and decision-making skills to assess, diagnose and triage MSK patients.

To manage a complex caseload of patients, including those with long-term conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs.

To work within the Physiotherapy Out-Patient Service leading, co-ordinating and developing effective clinical practice across the service in line with the current evidence base.

To be accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration supported by peer networking and review and engagement with evidence-based practice.

To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care

To ensure care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention. This should include advice on/signposting eg weight management, smoking cessation, physical activity.

To provide care that is tailored to the needs of the individual. This would include, appraising the impact of individuals' clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status (including in relation to function, physical activity, mobility and independence).

To use shared-decision making to support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.

To use shared decision making to agree the best pathway of care following patient assessment and working in partnership with patients and their carers, informed by the urgency and severity of patient need, patient acuity and dependency, and the most appropriate deployment of resources.

To communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and carers including complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, results of investigations, prognosis and treatment options. This may require skills in motivation, reassurance or persuasion, often with barriers to understanding.

To use a range of clinical skills which may include:

a) non-medical independent prescribing

b) joint / soft tissue injections

c) joint aspirations

d) physical rehabilitation through manual therapy

e) physical rehabilitation through exercise and function

f) Physical rehabilitation through pain relief which could include acupuncture, electrotherapy etc.

g) complex bio-psychosocial assessment of patients

h) cognitive and perceptual understanding of condition/person

i) falls assessment

To work with the MDT to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.

To provide learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team within primary care.

To exercise professional judgement, making, justifying and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete/contradictory information.

To manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings.

To demonstrate an understanding of personal scope of practice and the ability to identify when a patient needs referring on.

To manage risk in unpredictable, uncertain situations to uphold patient safety, including by referring on to other primary care team members and to specialist services, as needed.

To act as a resource to provide highly specialised advice for relevant members of staff about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients / clients within the integrated MSK pathway.

To work collaboratively with other providers involved in the patients care including medical and surgical consultants, health and social care, community and acute colleagues to ensure effective care pathways and timely transfer of care/discharges.

To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service.

To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.

To use networks locally, regionally and nationally where appropriate in order to share information and good practice.

Professional Duties

To demonstrate behaviours and attitudes that creates a role model within the team.

To comply with and, along with the team leader, write, develop and implement protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific. To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on the management and care of Out-Patient Physiotherapy Patients

To lead/participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and the Physiotherapy Out-Patient teams clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, clinical audit and service activity data and research and development.

To ensure specialised treatments offered to patients/clients are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, in order to develop and maintain best practice.

To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies.

To support members of the Physiotherapy and assistant team to enable them to meet their objectives and development needs and assist the Team Leader/Advanced Practitioner to manage their performance.

To identify, develop, deliver and evaluate training programmes for out-patient physiotherapy which addresses the needs of the Physiotherapy service and the wider multi professional team as appropriate.

To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans. To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with peers. To share learning effectively to all appropriate members of staff.

To participate in the Trusts supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience. This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice.

To participate in the Trust appraisal process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan.

To undergo additional appraisal with a designated GP to evaluate service quality and identify learning needs within the FCP role.

To provide highly specialist advice, teaching and training to patients / clients, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient care.

To participate in the supervision process with staff on a daily basis.

To be responsible for the supervision and education of student Physiotherapists to graduate level in the role of clinical educator.

To be responsible for the supervision and education of students from other professional groups e.g. Nurses, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists in as required.

To make links with HEI and be instrumental in influencing undergraduate and post graduate training within the field of Physiotherapy Out-Patients.

Managerial Duties

To support and advise on the delivery of the FCP and Physiotherapy Out-Patient service across the Calderdale and Huddersfield Health Economy.

To provide the Team Leader/Advanced Practitioner with advice/information on the planning and development of the service and to identify and evaluate potential areas for service and quality improvement, taking into account the views of service users.

To ensure adequate staffing levels within the team by agreeing annual leave, study leave, and reporting sickness absence to the Team Leader/practise manager, where appropriate.

To assist the Head of Therapies/Team Leader in achieving the service objectives.

To actively participate in the professional development programme of the FCP and Physiotherapy services.

To assist the Head of Therapies/Team Leader in the monitoring of professional, clinical and departmental standards and assist in the implementation of change as appropriate.

To comply with the national, professional, Trust and service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating processes as appropriate.

To participate in the staff recruitment process and facilitate staff retention.

To maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act.

To initiate discussions with the Team Leader about any circumstances that could prevent the post holder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of their job description.

To comply with all Trust policies and procedures.

To ensure attendance at induction and regular training updates on risk management policies and procedures.

To ensure, through risk assessment, identification of any risks within the department or in community settings.

To ensure accurate completion of Datix reports as appropriate. To work with the Team Leader to assist in the management of complaints and incidents.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

• Relevant Degree/Diploma
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of relevant post graduate training

Desirable

• Clinical Educator Training
• Member of Professional Body
• Study to Masters level or equivalent body of knowledge
• Qualification in joint and soft tissue injection therapy
• HCPC registered as an Independent Prescriber
• Leadership Training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

• Mastery / fluency of one approach to musculoskeletal outpatients and a good understanding of alternative approaches
• Excellent communication skills including talking and listening as well as being aware of non-verbal communication i.e. Motivational Interviewing/ADP
• Able to demonstrate advanced decision making / clinical reasoning skill in MSK Physiotherapy through the analysis and interpretation of the clinical examination
• Relevant NHS experience as a MSK physiotherapist
• Ability to manage customer expectation e.g. dealing with complaints
• Experience Developing Staff e.g. Supervision, PDR's
• Proven ability to case manage clients with complex needs
• Ability to identify own learning needs and engage in self-directed learning for CPD
• Ability to identify learning needs of others
• Demonstrate Reflective Practice
• Evidence of experiential learning
• Knowledge of relevant Legislation, NSF'S/ Local and National initiatives
• Teaching/presentation skills
• Extensive experience and reflective practice in physiotherapy including substantial experience of treating complex conditions.
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of musculoskeletal pathologies including indications for surgery
• Current knowledge of evidence based practise relevant to the position
• Relevant and comprehensive evidence of Life Long Learning and post-graduation training
• Knowledge and use of the bio-psychosocial approach.
• Successful applicants are subject to being a car owner or having consistent access to a suitable vehicle to perform the role satisfactorily. If your post requires you to drive you must possess a valid, current, full driving licence. Your certificate of motor insurance must show that you are covered for any official business mileage. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of your employment.

Desirable

• Experience in planning, allocating and delegating tasks
• Clinical Educator training
• Recent experience working at band 7 level

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• Experience in contributing to service improvements.
• Critical Appraisal Skills
• Demonstrates understanding of Documentation requirements
• Attendance of relevant SIGs.
• Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours
• Excellent time management skills
• Proven clinical leadership skills
• Ability to support and coach others in the management of complex cases
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently and influence others
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands
• Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others.
• Ability to prioritise own and others caseloads.
• Ability to pay excellent attention to detail.

Desirable

• Ability to recognise stress in self and others and develop effective coping strategies.

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).