First Contact Practitioner in Wolverhampton

There are 2 positions available, 1 part time and 1 full time - hours can be discussed at interview stage. Salary is depending on experience: Band 6 (£19.78 - £23.82 per hour) Band 7 (£24.45 - £27.98 per hour).

Health & Beyond are looking for an enthusiastic senior physiotherapist, advanced practice physiotherapist or experienced physiotherapist who want to become MSKFCP to become part of our MSKFirst Contact Practitioners team. The role is unique and will include working in a clinical GP setting. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic team across three Primary Care Networks.

The post holder will be expected to provide clinical expertise and collaborate with all other clinicians working alongside them, becoming part of an MDT approach to enhance patient care with musculoskeletal problems in primary care. The post would suit an experienced MSK physiotherapist looking to expand on their clinical skills and working within GP settings. We can provide flexible working arrangements including full and part time posts. Travel between few sites in Wolverhampton and Bilston may be required. Occasional extended access hours/weekend working will be required.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact practitioner (MSK) and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated MSK conditions).
• See patients, without prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan.
• Progress and request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests diagnostic services such as x-rays and blood tests, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
• Engage patients in shared decision making about treatment options.
• Deliver programmes of supported patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals.

About us:

Our vision is to develop a partnership between patients and our clinicians that allow us together to deliver high quality health and social care services, and meet the needs of the population of Wolverhampton and beyond. As Health and Beyond we are committed to working together to ensure our communities receive the best evidence-based care possible, and will strive to ensure that patients' views are heard and that their journey through Health and Beyond health system is seamless through integration and strong partnership working with our stakeholders.

Delivering excellence in innovation that benefits patients, employees and commissioners with strong inter-professional programmes and bespoke care. Including South East Primary Care Network which is within our geographical area.

Job responsibilities:

• Takes professional responsibility as a first-contact practitioner (MSK), with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage and onward referral of patients.
• Manages a complex caseload in lieu of a GP (including patients with long-term conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs).
• Leads, manages and contributes to service delivery.
• Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.
• Streamlines pathway of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
• Ensures care is proactive, preventative in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
• Provides care which is tailored to the individual needs.
• Supports patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.
• Communicates effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.
• Uses a range of advanced clinical skills which may include non-medical independent prescribing and joint aspirations.
• Provides learning opportunities for the whole multi-professional team within primary care.
• Works with MDT to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.
• Exercises professional judgement, making, justifying and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete/contradictory information.
• Manages interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings.

Responsibilities for People or Training:

• To work with PCN MSK Lead, Senior GP Partners, Local Physiotherapy Department, Local MDT MSK team, Local T&O team, Local Rheumatology team, Local Pain Clinic team to co-ordinate training/learning opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of primary care teams, including through delivery to others' learning needs.
• Ensure compliance with all HCPC/CSP/HEE and mandatory training relevant to role.
• To be involved in training and development of junior staff and students and reception staff in GP practices to support development of new service provision.

Other Factors:

• To comply with Health Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, quality assurance standards & Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, national guidelines and Health and Beyond procedures.
• Physical Effort: Moderate physical effort required, in short periods. Fine motor skills and high level of dexterity required for some interventions.
• Mental Effort: Concentration required for all aspects of the job with frequent interruptions and an unpredictable workload.
• Emotional Effort: Frequent empathy is required and occasional communication of unpleasant and sensitive news. The ability to deal with distressed patients and provide professional support and guidance.
• Working Conditions: Occasional exposure to unpleasant smells. Occasionally may involve exposure to bodily fluids.
• Mobility/Flexibility: Working location may vary according to service need and therefore access to suitably insured transport required. Ability to drive and travel throughout Wolverhampton/Bilston/Black Country Area.

Your knowledge, experience and qualifications:

• Knowledge/Skills: Extensive knowledge of neuromusculoskeletal symptomatology and evidence-based practice. Evidence demonstrating advanced clinical examination skills, for example, recognising MSK masquerades and bone tumours in MSK presentations. Excellent communication skills ensuring consistently high levels of communication with the whole team. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritise effectively and manage your time efficiently.
• Experience: Current HCPC and CSP registered Physiotherapist. Minimum 5 years post-graduate musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice experience; preferably in public settings. Proof of continued professional development which evidences the skills/competencies required for this role. Previous experience as an FCP/APP/ESP is essential. Non-medical prescriber experience is desirable but not essential. Injection therapy competency and experience is desirable but not essential.
• Qualifications: Degree in Physiotherapy, or a recognised equivalent vocational qualification. Masters level modules/equivalent training/documented experience relating to FCP competencies. Demonstrable competence in ordering medical imaging. FCP sign off stage 1 and 2 is desirable but not essential. Injection therapy qualifications desirable but not essential.

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.