The Devizes PCN

First Contact Practitioner (Physiotherapist)

The closing date is 06 July 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Devizes PCN as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP). You will work with our established Urgent Care Team, which is based at the Devizes Health Centre. You will be an autonomous practitioner in a multi-disciplinary team providing first contact musculoskeletal provision for the four surgeries within the PCN. This is a new post. You will join our team of 3 FCPs who work alongside our Advanced Care Practitioners, Physician Associates and GPs to provide excellent on the day care for our patients.

You will be an experienced extended scope practitioner, who is working towards or will have completed your roadmap in advanced practice. You will have excellent communication skills and a passion for improving the healthcare for our patient community.

For an informal chat or visit, or for further information please contactHelen Scott.

Main duties of the job

Provide clinical expertise, acting as FCP and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions). This will involve seeing patients first without prior contact with another Health Care Professionals. To establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan.

Progress and request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime. To understand the information limitations i.e. the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular diagnostic tests such as x-rays and blood. To interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.

Develop, agree and deliver programmes of supported patient self-management. This will be to facilitate behavioural change. The aim will be to optimise individuals' physical activity and mobility. In addition you will help them to fulfil their personal goals relating to their independence, and encourage them to minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.

About us

The Devizes PCN comprises 4 GP Practices (The Lansdowne, Southbroom, St James and Market Lavington Surgeries), delivering patient centred care to circa 32,000 residents. By working together in a Network, each Practice is able to offer a wider range of services, giving patients faster and more efficient access to the right care and support.

Our PCN has developed teams of healthcare professionals to support the GPs, including Physician Associates, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Community Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, an Older Persons Team, as well as other Health Care Professionals, to provide tailored care for the patients in our community.

The Devizes PCN is a progressive organisation with a positive and pro-active team culture. We strive to ensure that our colleagues feel well supported both operationally and developmentally. We look forward to hearing from candidates who will thrive within this environment.

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Equivalent to Band 7

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

W0044-25-0002

Job locations

The Devizes PCN

The Devizes Health Centre

Devizes

SN10 3UF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

Work as an extended scope practitioner providing a high standard of specialist assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal patients within the Primary Care Network.

Work independently, without day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role, using your expert knowledge of movement and function issues, to create stronger links for wider services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients, providing a range of first line treatment options including self- management, referral to rehabilitation focussed services and social prescribing.

Make use of your full scope of practice, developing skills relating to independent prescribing, injection therapy and investigation to make professional judgements and decisions in unpredictable situations, including when provided with incomplete or contradictory information. You will take responsibility for making and justifying these decisions.

Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring onwards as required and including social prescribing when appropriate.

Communicate effectively with patients, and their carers where applicable, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnoses, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices supporting personalised care.

Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients through:

o effective shared decision-making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for a patients level of activation).

o assessing levels of Patient Activation to support a patients own level of knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their conditions, ensuring they are able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions, particularly for those at low levels of activation.

o agreeing with patients appropriate support for self-management through referral to rehabilitation focussed services and wider social prescribing as appropriate; and

o designing and implementing plans that facilitate. behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions.

Request and progress investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate the diagnosis and choice of treatment regime including, considering the limitations of these investigations, interpret and act on results and feedback to aid patients diagnoses and management plans.

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.

Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.

Work across the multi-disciplinary team to create and evaluate effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.

Develop relationships and collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care and actively suggesting and engaging with initiatives to help improve patient care.

Encourage collaborative working across the wider health economy and be a key contributor to supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical services across the PCN.

Liaising with secondary and community care services, and secondary and community MSK services where required, using local social and community interventions as required to support the management of patients within the PCN; and

To fully understand the wider MSK service and local MSK pathways: across primary care, secondary care and the voluntary sector, including in depth knowledge of referral criteria and scope of services.

Actively pursue development opportunities for practice and service delivery, policy implementation and lead specific projects within specific area of practice.

Accountable for decisions and actions supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.

Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Maintain professional knowledge and skills through attending relevant courses both internally and externally.

Maintain a professional portfolio for CPD in line with CSP and HCPC guidelines, recording learning outcomes through participation in internal and external development opportunities and to demonstrate acquired highly specialist skills and knowledge of professional practice.

Support regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) programme. This will include communicating outcomes and integrating findings into own and wider service practice and pathway development.

Health and Safety

To comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

To take responsibility for his/her own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by his/her own acts or omissions.

Equality and Diversity

To comply with the Equality Act 2010.

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

o Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.

o Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.

o Behaving in a manner that is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Risk Management and Clinical Governance

To work within the Clinical Governance Framework of the practice, incorporating Risk Management and all other quality initiatives.

Confidentiality

To maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, clients, staff and other users of the services in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott Guardian. Any breach of confidentiality may render an individual liable for dismissal and/or prosecution.

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

General

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, within the bounds of his/her own competence.

To work across PCN sites.

To work flexibly to accommodate meetings as required.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

Work as an extended scope practitioner providing a high standard of specialist assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal patients within the Primary Care Network.

Work independently, without day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role, using your expert knowledge of movement and function issues, to create stronger links for wider services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients, providing a range of first line treatment options including self- management, referral to rehabilitation focussed services and social prescribing.

Make use of your full scope of practice, developing skills relating to independent prescribing, injection therapy and investigation to make professional judgements and decisions in unpredictable situations, including when provided with incomplete or contradictory information. You will take responsibility for making and justifying these decisions.

Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring onwards as required and including social prescribing when appropriate.

Communicate effectively with patients, and their carers where applicable, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnoses, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices supporting personalised care.

Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients through:

o effective shared decision-making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for a patients level of activation).

o assessing levels of Patient Activation to support a patients own level of knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their conditions, ensuring they are able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions, particularly for those at low levels of activation.

o agreeing with patients appropriate support for self-management through referral to rehabilitation focussed services and wider social prescribing as appropriate; and

o designing and implementing plans that facilitate. behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions.

Request and progress investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate the diagnosis and choice of treatment regime including, considering the limitations of these investigations, interpret and act on results and feedback to aid patients diagnoses and management plans.

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.

Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.

Work across the multi-disciplinary team to create and evaluate effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.

Develop relationships and collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care and actively suggesting and engaging with initiatives to help improve patient care.

Encourage collaborative working across the wider health economy and be a key contributor to supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical services across the PCN.

Liaising with secondary and community care services, and secondary and community MSK services where required, using local social and community interventions as required to support the management of patients within the PCN; and

To fully understand the wider MSK service and local MSK pathways: across primary care, secondary care and the voluntary sector, including in depth knowledge of referral criteria and scope of services.

Actively pursue development opportunities for practice and service delivery, policy implementation and lead specific projects within specific area of practice.

Accountable for decisions and actions supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.

Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Maintain professional knowledge and skills through attending relevant courses both internally and externally.

Maintain a professional portfolio for CPD in line with CSP and HCPC guidelines, recording learning outcomes through participation in internal and external development opportunities and to demonstrate acquired highly specialist skills and knowledge of professional practice.

Support regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) programme. This will include communicating outcomes and integrating findings into own and wider service practice and pathway development.

Health and Safety

To comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

To take responsibility for his/her own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by his/her own acts or omissions.

Equality and Diversity

To comply with the Equality Act 2010.

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

o Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.

o Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.

o Behaving in a manner that is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Risk Management and Clinical Governance

To work within the Clinical Governance Framework of the practice, incorporating Risk Management and all other quality initiatives.

Confidentiality

To maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, clients, staff and other users of the services in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott Guardian. Any breach of confidentiality may render an individual liable for dismissal and/or prosecution.

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

General

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, within the bounds of his/her own competence.

To work across PCN sites.

To work flexibly to accommodate meetings as required.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Current knowledge and experience of caring for patients with conditions related to speciality.
  • Evidence of clinical competence and credibility in the speciality and relevant post-registration qualification experience which must be in an appropriate area of specialist practice.
  • Evidence of mentoring, assessing, teaching and developing staff.
  • Setting and monitoring of standards.
  • Experience of and ability to work as a member of the multidisciplinary clinical team.
  • Experience of establishing effective communication.
  • Exercise a high degree of autonomy within specialist area.
  • Experience of undertaking audit.
  • Experience of undertaking research.

Desirable

  • Evidence of clinical leadership.

Skills, Ability and Knowledge

Essential

  • Can demonstrate working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment).
  • Ability to respond rapidly to emergency situations.
  • Demonstrable basic and advanced clinical skills e.g. frailty, orthopaedic, neurology, cardiorespiratory care, physical assessment skills, basic life support.
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others demonstrating effective time management and organisational skills and exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
  • Up to date knowledge of the developments in appropriate area of care underpinned by theory and experience.
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its application.
  • Understanding of current best practice and NHS issues and initiatives.
  • Competent in IT skills (in particular email, use of internet ability to manipulate data electronically, power point presentations.
  • Work under pressure with exceptional organisation and time management skills .
  • Demonstrate ability to make clinical decisions.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of TPP/ System One.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy Registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC).
  • Evidence of relevant Post Graduate training or relevant experience.
  • Post registration clinical course or qualification in specialist area that has enhanced clinical practice.
  • Completion of Roadmap or working towards completion.

Desirable

  • MSc or MSc modules for advanced practice.
  • Membership of appropriate special interest groups.

Other

Essential

  • Own vehicle and clean driving licence.
  • Willingness to be mobile and work at difference locations.
  • Flexibility to work outside of core hours if required.
  • Clear vision of role and commitment to working in Primary Care.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Able to deal with difficult and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy and deal with and resolve conflict.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, approachable, caring, kind and compassionate.
  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others, enthusiastic, innovative, flexible and adaptable.
  • Committed to service development Understands the Primary Care Networks values and behaviours.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Current knowledge and experience of caring for patients with conditions related to speciality.
  • Evidence of clinical competence and credibility in the speciality and relevant post-registration qualification experience which must be in an appropriate area of specialist practice.
  • Evidence of mentoring, assessing, teaching and developing staff.
  • Setting and monitoring of standards.
  • Experience of and ability to work as a member of the multidisciplinary clinical team.
  • Experience of establishing effective communication.
  • Exercise a high degree of autonomy within specialist area.
  • Experience of undertaking audit.
  • Experience of undertaking research.

Desirable

  • Evidence of clinical leadership.

Skills, Ability and Knowledge

Essential

  • Can demonstrate working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment).
  • Ability to respond rapidly to emergency situations.
  • Demonstrable basic and advanced clinical skills e.g. frailty, orthopaedic, neurology, cardiorespiratory care, physical assessment skills, basic life support.
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others demonstrating effective time management and organisational skills and exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
  • Up to date knowledge of the developments in appropriate area of care underpinned by theory and experience.
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its application.
  • Understanding of current best practice and NHS issues and initiatives.
  • Competent in IT skills (in particular email, use of internet ability to manipulate data electronically, power point presentations.
  • Work under pressure with exceptional organisation and time management skills .
  • Demonstrate ability to make clinical decisions.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of TPP/ System One.

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy Registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC).
  • Evidence of relevant Post Graduate training or relevant experience.
  • Post registration clinical course or qualification in specialist area that has enhanced clinical practice.
  • Completion of Roadmap or working towards completion.

Desirable

  • MSc or MSc modules for advanced practice.
  • Membership of appropriate special interest groups.

Other

Essential

  • Own vehicle and clean driving licence.
  • Willingness to be mobile and work at difference locations.
  • Flexibility to work outside of core hours if required.
  • Clear vision of role and commitment to working in Primary Care.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Able to deal with difficult and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy and deal with and resolve conflict.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, approachable, caring, kind and compassionate.
  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others, enthusiastic, innovative, flexible and adaptable.
  • Committed to service development Understands the Primary Care Networks values and behaviours.

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

The Devizes PCN

Address

The Devizes PCN

The Devizes Health Centre

Devizes

SN10 3UF


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

The Devizes PCN

Address

The Devizes PCN

The Devizes Health Centre

Devizes

SN10 3UF


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN Manager

Helen Scott

helenscott1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Equivalent to Band 7

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

W0044-25-0002

Job locations

The Devizes PCN

The Devizes Health Centre

Devizes

SN10 3UF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

The Devizes PCN's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)