Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Specialist Physiotherapist MSK Assessment and Triage Service (MATS)

The closing date is 27 July 2025

Job summary

This is an opportunity for an experienced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist to progress their career into a Specialist role working within an MSK Assessment and Triage Service.

Patients are referred into this service by other health professionals for assessment and treatment of MSK Orthopaedic conditions. This may include ordering and evaluating the results of diagnostic imaging, identifying patients for injection therapy, and referral to secondary care services including trauma and orthopaedics, rheumatology and pain management.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide a high standard of MSK Assessment and Triage within the NCHC MSK team which may also include assessment and referral for consultant led care for Chronic Pain, Rheumatology and Trauma and Orthopaedics.
  • To provide injection therapy when identified as the appropriate outcome. This training will be provided if necessary.
  • To assist the Enhanced Scope Practitioners for the MSK Assessment and Triage Service in the running of the Service.

About us

MSK Assessment and Triage Service provides care to patients from Norwich, South and West Norfolk.

There are strong links with other NCHC MSK services including MSK First Contact Practitioners, Foot and Ankle Biomechanics , MSK Physiotherapy, ESCAPE classes, Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, and Hand Therapy.

The MSK services all work via a combination of face to face and remote consultations, with MSK MATS currently working from clinics in Norwich, South and West Norfolk. Clinicians will be asked to work across multiple sites.

As a whole, MSK Services promotes continuous professional development and regular supervision in a variety of formats as we recognise the clinical and personal importance of this.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Details

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

839-7339742-AB

Job locations

Variable,

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To have an active role in the assessment of a wide range of musculo-skeletal, chronic pain and rheumatological conditions based on advanced theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuro-anatomy and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence and/or complex bio-psychosocial issues are present. To apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to assess and form a diagnosis and ensure progress through the appropriate care pathway.

2. To recognise the most appropriate pathway for patients such as when referral to specialist Orthopaedic, Rheumatology or Pain Management is fully appropriate. To use theoretical and practical knowledge to make recommendations for further management of the condition and assist the patient as far as possible in the referral process. This requires knowledge and understanding of the role of other health professionals, (e.g. psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain clinic, general practitioner).

3. To communicate some highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working within the MSK, pain and rheumatology services/teams and with multidisciplinary colleagues across health and social care sectors to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary care. Making appropriate recommendations for further management and ensuring that the patient is informed.

4. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.

5. To independently or with the Enhanced Scope Practitioner triage referrals and make onward referrals as appropriate. This will involve the coordination of the patients complex pathway of care between healthcare professionals comprising the multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team consists of Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, GPs, Doctors and Consultants in both primary and secondary care and may involve other agencies e.g. social care. Thus, the clinician will be expected to refer on beyond their scope of practice.

6. To undertake comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care. There may be conflicting information to make a judgement on the best course of action to be taken for the management of patients condition.

Please see Job Description for full details.

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Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To have an active role in the assessment of a wide range of musculo-skeletal, chronic pain and rheumatological conditions based on advanced theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuro-anatomy and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence and/or complex bio-psychosocial issues are present. To apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to assess and form a diagnosis and ensure progress through the appropriate care pathway.

2. To recognise the most appropriate pathway for patients such as when referral to specialist Orthopaedic, Rheumatology or Pain Management is fully appropriate. To use theoretical and practical knowledge to make recommendations for further management of the condition and assist the patient as far as possible in the referral process. This requires knowledge and understanding of the role of other health professionals, (e.g. psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain clinic, general practitioner).

3. To communicate some highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working within the MSK, pain and rheumatology services/teams and with multidisciplinary colleagues across health and social care sectors to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary care. Making appropriate recommendations for further management and ensuring that the patient is informed.

4. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.

5. To independently or with the Enhanced Scope Practitioner triage referrals and make onward referrals as appropriate. This will involve the coordination of the patients complex pathway of care between healthcare professionals comprising the multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team consists of Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, GPs, Doctors and Consultants in both primary and secondary care and may involve other agencies e.g. social care. Thus, the clinician will be expected to refer on beyond their scope of practice.

6. To undertake comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care. There may be conflicting information to make a judgement on the best course of action to be taken for the management of patients condition.

Please see Job Description for full details.

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Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and ability

Essential

  • Good knowledge of all aspects of Physiotherapy
  • Musculoskeletal expertise
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work outside traditional professional boundaries.
  • High level problem solving

Desirable

  • Research skills and experience of involvement in clinical studies

Qualifications

Essential

  • Diploma or degree in Physiotherapy
  • Current HCPC registration
  • Evidence of relevant post graduate courses / CPD
  • Have or working towards relevant MSc or evidence of academic / intellectual level equivalent to MSc level.

Desirable

  • Membership of clinical special interest group
  • Previous experience of requesting imaging and bloods.

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 5 years in specialist Physiotherapy clinical area
  • Experience of service evaluation and development
  • Previous experience of teaching / training members of staff
  • Completion of audits

Desirable

  • Experience of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Previous experience in a team leadership role

Communication

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Able to work collaboratively within a team
  • Able to maintain judgement under pressure
  • Able to work independently
  • Able to work with others and pass on skills and knowledge
Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and ability

Essential

  • Good knowledge of all aspects of Physiotherapy
  • Musculoskeletal expertise
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work outside traditional professional boundaries.
  • High level problem solving

Desirable

  • Research skills and experience of involvement in clinical studies

Qualifications

Essential

  • Diploma or degree in Physiotherapy
  • Current HCPC registration
  • Evidence of relevant post graduate courses / CPD
  • Have or working towards relevant MSc or evidence of academic / intellectual level equivalent to MSc level.

Desirable

  • Membership of clinical special interest group
  • Previous experience of requesting imaging and bloods.

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 5 years in specialist Physiotherapy clinical area
  • Experience of service evaluation and development
  • Previous experience of teaching / training members of staff
  • Completion of audits

Desirable

  • Experience of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team
  • Previous experience in a team leadership role

Communication

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Able to work collaboratively within a team
  • Able to maintain judgement under pressure
  • Able to work independently
  • Able to work with others and pass on skills and knowledge

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).

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.

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

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Variable,

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Variable,

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

MSK Team Lead

Kylie Chambers

kylie.chambers@nchc.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

839-7339742-AB

Job locations

Variable,

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU


Supporting documents

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