Band 7 First Contact Physiotherapist

An exciting opportunity to work as Band 7 First Contact Physiotherapist in Acton Primary Care Network. The post holder will work within the FCP team and will be supported with adequate FCP training and supervision to demonstrate highly specialist MSK skills. The post holder will be required to work autonomously as per availability of estates in Acton GP practices.

Main duties of the job include providing clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care in the area of musculoskeletal, rheumatological and pain management. This will involve screening and assessment of patients with undifferentiated conditions to determine that they meet the criteria for self‑management, local MSK or community service criteria or to ensure that those with medical needs are rerouted to the appropriate clinician. This will involve face‑to‑face, telephone or virtual contact with patients, without prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan. Onward referral to community or specialist services as required.

They will also be expected to deliver programmes of supported patient self‑management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The First Contact Physiotherapist will work autonomously using highly specialist knowledge and skills to provide care within the musculoskeletal sphere.
• They will take professional responsibility as a first-contact physiotherapist (FCP), with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage patients.
• The FCP is accountable for independent clinical management of patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions.
• In addition to this, the FCP is also responsible for appropriately referring patients to relevant specialities for any necessary inpatient or outpatient investigations.
• To manage a complex caseload (including patients with long-term musculoskeletal conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs).
• To contribute to service delivery and the development of MSK care within the primary care network for the benefit of patient care in line with current trust and local needs.
• To be accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.
• To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
• To ensure that care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention and self-management.
• To provide care which is tailored to the individual needs of the patient.
• This would include appraising the impact of individuals' clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status (including in relation to function, physical activity, mobility and independence).
• This may include providing professional and independent clinical care which enables the coordination of a multi-professional seamless service for patients.
• To support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.
• To communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.
• To provide learning opportunities for the whole multi-professional team within primary care.
• To work with the MDT to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.
• To exercise professional judgement, justifying and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete/contradictory information.
• To manage interactions in complex or conflict situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings.
• You may need to visit patients in their own home to complete the MSK assessment.

The statutory requirement to be fully Covid-19 vaccinated as a condition of deployment from April 2022 is subject to legislative review. The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and for patients and service users when working in our healthcare settings.

Qualifications:

• Graduate Diploma Physiotherapy/BSc Physiotherapy + HCPC Registration
• Relevant post-graduate courses completed or commenced relevant to this post
• Teaching qualification or experience

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrate ability to design, develop and deliver programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence-based practice to peers and junior staff
• Demonstrates ability to work as a member of the research team
• Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service

Knowledge and Experience:

• Developing Specialist experience in musculoskeletal out‑patients in GP or community
• Demonstrates general physiotherapy skills and knowledge and experience in core areas
• Experience of telephone triage or face to face triage
• Have been involved in service training evaluation/initiated service change
• Experience of MDT working
• Participation in clinical governance and audit
• Excellent organisational skills and time management
• Good general background knowledge of orthopaedic, rheumatology and pain conditions and their management.
• Understanding of CBT or pain management approaches
• Experience of SystmOne
• Previous experience within a community setting or GP practice

Leadership and Management:

• Demonstrate understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service
• Demonstrates understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation
• Demonstrates understanding of, and conform to, relevant standards of practice
• Demonstrate an ability to lead/support and develop individual staff or teams to ensure optimised individual and team performance

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success. We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.