MSK Physiotherapist (Specialising in Self Referral)

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain professional registration requirements.

To triage all musculoskeletal referrals, selecting appropriate patients for the JH service and arranging re-direction of care in accordance with agreed criteria & clinical pathways.

To undertake a highly specialised assessment and be an autonomous first contact practitioner to self-referred patients to diagnosis and treat patients with complex Orthopaedic / MSK conditions respecting peoples privacy, dignity, and individuality.

Request and interpret haematological and radiological investigations / results to formulate a diagnosis and treatment programme Inc. X-ray; Ultrasound; MRI & Nerve conduction studies in adherence with agreed clinical protocols, pathways, and scope of practice.

Using advanced clinical reasoning skills, diagnose and arrange appropriate onward management of patients according to clinical need and in adherence with agreed patient pathways E.g. retaining patients within the Physiotherapy /JH service or referring into Secondary Care Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Neurosurgery

To provide specialist evidence-based Physiotherapy advice and treatment for patients with complex MSK conditions this may include specialist manual therapy treatments, prescription of progressive exercise programmes or undertaking joint injection therapy.

To act as a source of Specialist MSK knowledge and skills to all Physiotherapy Staff providing mentorship, supervision, and training

To monitor the appropriateness of JH referrals, obtaining information relevant to patient care and ensuring appropriate discharge plans / ongoing care.

To work on any of the Trust sites as directed by the line Manager.

To take part in evening and weekend clinics as required

To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided, developing, implementing and reviewing clinical standards / clinical audit relevant as directed by service leads.

To be a proactive member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in JH meetings / in service training and clinical supervision.

To ensure effective communication with patients, carers, GPs and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.

To process and deliver complex information with empathy and reassurance, frequently communicating with patients who may have barriers to understanding.

To ensure where necessary the provision of cover for the JH service, e.g. in times of annual leave / sickness etc.

To ensure that any equipment, furniture or building in need of repair is reported to the correct authority as necessary.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure accurate and up to date clinical records in line with registration requirements.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

To attend all relevant training and clinical development sessions related to the role of Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner E.g. Complex case discussion meetings; IRMER Training etc, in service MSK physiotherapy training.

To organise and lead in-service training sessions for specialist MSK physiotherapists when required.

To attend relevant training courses and disseminate information.

To complete annual appraisal and Professional Development Plan.

To provide formal and informal peer review for staff working in Outpatient Therapies / JH Service.

To take part in the Trusts clinical supervision as a supervisor and supervisee

To contribute when relevant to the training programme of GP`s and Primary Care colleagues.

To teach and advise carers and other Health Professionals to ensure provision of good patient care.

To contribute to the provision of good practice across professional and organisational boundaries.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To assist the JH Lead in the ongoing service/ pathway development of the JH service.

To act as a clinical supervisor and provide clinical leadership to allocated clinicians.

Undertake appraisals.

Coaching & mentoring.

Support in performance management as required and indicated.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To be responsible for the timely and accurate collection of statistics / records that are required nationally and departmentally and to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
• Current HCPC registration
• Evidence of relevant post-graduate study at MSc level/ or equivalent

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Extensive post graduate experience Band 6 MSK / Physiotherapy Outpatient experience
• Demonstrate specialist MSK knowledge to promote & deliver a culture of evidence based practice within the team and design credible clinical care pathways & guidelines

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in either Orthopaedic clinic or MSK Interface service
• Membership of special interest group relevant to specialty
• Relevant research and audit experience
• Good knowledge of clinical governance / competency frameworks and their application to Advance Physiotherapy practice
• Experience of joint working with external organisations e.g. academic institutions, AHSN E.g., service re design, evidence-based practice, clinical pathways, research, or audit.

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate Specialist MSK Physiotherapy clinical skills and knowledge - advanced clinical reasoning in MSK Physio assessment, diagnosis and treatment
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Awareness of current NHS Policies & Frameworks /relevant quality indicators in clinical specialty
• Ability to manage change in a flexible, diplomatic, and positive manner
• Ability to maintain & develop own clinical role and be aware of professional and clinical boundaries.
• Ability to delegate appropriately, supervise student/assistants and clinical staff whilst supporting leads and managers as necessary
• Excellent teaching and presentation skills to support development of other team members in specialist MSK Physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
• Ability to promote & positively represent the service and organisation within and outside of the Trust E.g. CCGs / GP`s
• Possess excellent time management / prioritization skills
• Demonstrate flexible work practices to meet changing demands of the service

Desirable

• Ability to design, implement and interpret clinical audit / research

Other

Essential

• The post includes a combination of complex physical, emotional, and mental activities
• The post holder may be required to work across sites including hospital / community settings.
• To exert moderate physical effort during the treatment of patients regularly throughout the day e.g. lifting equipment, moving, and manoeuvring patients, applying physiotherapy manual therapy techniques. The post holder will also need highly specialized manual handling / dexterity skills in order to perform joint and soft tissue injection therapy.
• The post holder will experience frequent and sustained periods of intense concentration when assessing complex patients and requesting specialist investigations / interpreting results in order to make an accurate diagnosis and devise an effective treatment plan for patients on a day-to-day basis.
• Conveying complex information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families, and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding/learning.
• Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g. responding to serious radiological incidental findings & urgent referrals alongside normal clinic list.
• The post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.
• Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care and education professionals, patients, carers, the public.
• Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.
• The post holder will be exposed to sensitive, emotional, and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.
• The post holder may have to deliver bad news regularly E.g. giving a diagnosis of serious disease to the patient and their family.
• Daily exposure to unpleasant working conditions, including body odours, bodily fluids, and open wounds. Occasionally exposed to verbal and physical aggression and people under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• Daily encounter unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood / aspirated joint fluids e.g. Injection Therapy.
• Ability to fulfill the travel requirements of the post.

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).