ESP MSK

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Extended Scope Physiotherapist (ESP) will lead the assessment, management, and rehabilitation of patients presenting with acute soft-tissue injuries within A&E, Urgent Care, and associated MSK pathways. The role is designed to improve patient outcomes, streamline access to care, reduce unnecessary delays, and ensure patients are directed to the appropriate clinician first time. The postholder will operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, contributing to service redesign, pathway development, and governance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Assessment and Management

Conduct advanced musculoskeletal assessments of acute soft-tissue injuries.

Formulate and implement patient-centered treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Deliver high-quality evidence-based physiotherapy interventions.

Monitor patient progress and adapt treatment plans as appropriate.

Provide self-management advice, including exercise, lifestyle, and psychological support as required.

2. Extended Scope Activities

Request and interpret appropriate imaging (e.g., X-ray, MRI) to support diagnosis and management.

Make timely referrals for urgent orthopaedic input when surgical intervention may be required.

Order additional investigations as clinically indicated in line with professional guidelines.

3. Pathway Leadership and Service Development

Support and contribute to the design, development, and implementation of new or improved MSK pathways.

Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated, efficient care delivery.

Promote right clinician first time principles, reducing unnecessary consultant appointments and improving patient flow.

Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.

Identify opportunities to optimise workforce skills and resource utilisation.

4. Governance, Safety, and Quality

Ensure all care is delivered safely, adhering to Trust policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.

Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records, including assessment, management, and outcomes.

Participate in clinical governance meetings, audits, and service improvement initiatives.

Provide mentorship and supervision to junior physiotherapists and other staff as required.

Contribute to risk management and ensure compliance with safeguarding, infection control, and health and safety standards.

5. Education and Professional Development

Maintain professional registration and participate in continuing professional development.

Deliver training and education to colleagues, patients, and carers where required.

Keep up to date with advances in musculoskeletal and physiotherapy practice.

Support the dissemination of best practice and evidence-based interventions across the service.

6. Communication and Collaboration

Establish effective communication with patients, carers, and multidisciplinary team members.

Provide clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment plans, and self-management strategies.

Act as a key liaison between physiotherapy, orthopaedics, A&E, and other relevant departments.

Facilitate coordinated care across sites to ensure equity and consistency of service delivery.

7. Performance and Impact

Deliver measurable improvements in patient access, waiting times, and pathway efficiency.

Reduce unnecessary secondary care appointments and optimise consultant capacity.

Contribute to Trust-wide targets for patient outcomes, flow, and productivity.

Support data collection, audit, and reporting to demonstrate impact and continuous improvement.

Person Specification:

Registered Physiotherapist with HCPC registration.

Extensive experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, with advanced clinical skills.

Competence in extended scope practice, including imaging, referral, and independent management of acute injuries.

Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-working abilities.

Commitment to service improvement, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care.

Ability to work autonomously, manage complex caseloads, and prioritise effectively.

Key Benefits of the Role:

Opportunity to lead service redesign and influence pathway development.

Work at the top of your scope, utilising advanced clinical skills.

Direct impact on patient outcomes, safety, and experience.

Participation in a dynamic, innovative, and supportive MSK team.

Access to professional development and advanced training opportunities.

Impact of the Role:

By operating at an extended scope, the postholder will:

Reduce waiting times and improve access to the right care first time.

Divert the majority of soft-tissue injury patients away from unnecessary orthopaedic appointments.

Streamline referral pathways and improve patient flow across the Trust.

Ensure safe, high-quality, and consistent care across sites.

Optimise workforce skills and system efficiency.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of professional practice
• Evidence of comprehensive and up to date range of highly specialised clinical skills
• An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession
• Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner
• Ability to organise and prioritise and work to 18 RTT.
• Evidence of critical appraisal in research and evidence based practice
• Ability to maintain high levels of concentration and analysis of presenting symptoms from patients
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• IT skills
• Excellent presentation skills

Desirable

• Innovative approach to working life
• Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
• Evidence of strategic planning for MSK services

Special Requirements

Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Physiotherapy /diploma
• Recognised relevant academic post qualification in relation to MSK conditions to masters level
• Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, training and clinical experience
• Injection therapy competent
• Significant experience at a senior level in MSK physiotherapy

Desirable

• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing

Experience

Essential

• Comprehensive experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology pain management
• Evidence of being able to lead and improve clinical practice

Desirable

• Experience of Cognitive behavioural therapy and Bio psycho-social model of care

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registered

Desirable

• Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website

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