Job responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
The following are the core
responsibilities of the PCN First Contact Practitioner (FCP). There may be, on occasion, a requirement
to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as
workload and staffing levels:
a.
Build relationships with key staff
in GP practices within the local Primary Care Network (PCN), attending
relevant meetings, becoming part of the wider network team, giving
information and feedback on social prescribing.
b.
Liaise with the practices and,
where practicable, to standardise any physiotherapy process across the PCN.
c.
Work as part of an MDT in a
patient facing role, using your expert knowledge of MSK issues, to create
stronger links for wider MSK services through clinical leadership, teaching,
and evaluation skills.
d.
Work with commissioners and local
partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community
provision.
e.
Assess, diagnose, triage, and
manage patients, taking responsibility for the management of a complex
caseload etc.
f.
Receive patients who self-referred.
g.
Manage a caseload of potentially
complex patients and to provide advice for GP management for the more
complex patients.
h.
Progress and request clinical
investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate
diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the limitations of
investigations.
i.
Interpret and act on results and
feedback to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
j.
Develop integrated and tailored
care programmes in partnership with patients and provide a range of first
line treatment options, including self-management and referral to
rehabilitation focussed services and social prescribing provision.
k.
Establish programmes to facilitate
behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility,
support fulfilment of personal goals and independence and reduce the need
for pharmacological interventions.
l.
Use advanced clinical reasoning to provide a diagnosis and develop,
deliver, and adapt individualised treatment programmes. Examples of this
includes requesting, interpreting, and acting upon radiology and pathology
tests
m.
Provide learning opportunities for
the whole multi-professional team within practices throughout the PCN.
n.
Work across the multi-disciplinary
team to develop and evaluate more effective and streamlined clinical
pathways and services.
o.
In support of case management, the
post holder is to liaise with secondary care MSK services, community care
MSK services and local social and community interventions as required.
p.
Using their professional
judgement, the FCP will take responsibility for making and justifying
decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of
incomplete or contradictory information.
q.
Manage complex interactions,
including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs,
referring to social prescribing or a more relevant healthcare professional
when appropriate.
r.
Communicate effectively and
appropriately, with patients and carers, complex and sensitive information
regarding diagnosis, pathology, prognosis, and treatment choices supporting
personalised care.
s.
Implement all aspects of effective
clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit
and evaluation, supervision, and training.
t.
Review the latest guidance
ensuring the practice conforms to NICE, CQC etc.
u.
Be accountable for decisions and
actions via Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration,
supported by a professional culture of peer networking, review and
engagement in evidence-based practice.
v.
Work with your line manager to
undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active
part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities.
w.
Deliver training, mentoring and
guidance to other clinicians and staff on MSK matters.
x.
Encourage collaborative working
across the health economy and be a key contributor to the primary care
networks providing leadership and support on MSK clinical and service
development across the PCN.
y.
Work with your line manager to
access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively
with the difficult issues that people present.
z.
Support in the delivery of
enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN.
aa.
Participate in the management of
patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the
identification of any necessary learning brought about through clinical
incidents and near-miss events.
bb.
Undertake all mandatory training
and induction programmes.
cc.
Contribute to and embrace the
spectrum of clinical governance.
dd.
Attend a formal appraisal with
their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training
objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so
that new objectives can be agreed.
ee.
Contribute to public health
campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care
ff.
Maintain a clean, tidy, effective
working area at all times.
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary
responsibilities, the FCP may be requested to:
a.
Develop yourself and the role
through participation training and service redesign activities.
b.
Support regional and national
research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of
the FCP programme. This will include communicating outcomes and integrating
findings into own and wider service practice and pathway development
c.
Support delivery of QOF, incentive
schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives.
d.
Deliver training, mentoring and
guidance to other clinicians and staff on MSK matters.
e.
Produce MSK newsletters or
bulletins on a quarterly basis.
f.
Develop a specialist area of
interest.
g.
Support virtual and remote models
of consultation and support including e-consultations, remote medication
review and telehealth and telemedicine.
h.
Undertake any tasks consistent
with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is
delivered in a timely and effective manner.
i.
Duties may vary from time to time,
without changing the general character of the post or the level of
responsibility.