First Contact Physiotherapist

Nexus Health Limited is working in partnership with West Hertfordshire PCNs providing First Contact Physiotherapy service to over 45 GP surgeries across West Hertfordshire, London, and West Berkshire. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Advanced Physiotherapist to join our team. The first contact physiotherapist role supports the delivery of MSK assessment and signposting within primary care, working closely with our GP partners, and will be based at various GP surgeries in Hertsmere.

If you are an experienced MSK physiotherapist, who is able to work collaboratively, is keen to develop leadership skills and motivated to develop into a First Contact Physiotherapist role, this could be the post for you.

The successful candidate will:

• Have NHS experience working in a similar role.
• Stage 1 and 2 completed or equivalent.
• Work alongside other clinicians within the PCN as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Be able to work autonomously to assess, manage and discharge a patient without referral to a GP where appropriate.
• Advise on medications, order investigations and refer on to secondary care services where necessary.
• Work via phone and face to face.
• Give joint injections.
• Be aware of FCP implementation guide.
• Have finished MSK primary care module on Health Education England E Learning module.

This post will involve travel between the PCN practices and other venues to help fulfil the role.

Nexus Health Limited is a fast-growing organisation providing musculoskeletal services in NHS and private physiotherapy clinics in London, Berkshire and Hertfordshire. We are a supportive team and are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join us in providing excellent care for our patients. Team members should be flexible to work at various GP practices and have a good understanding of change management.

Main Responsibility of the post holder:

• First contact physiotherapists operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, with skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions.
• This will involve seeing patients, without prior referral from their GP, to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan, thus streamlining pathways of care.
• They work independently in clinical practice and do not require day to day supervision.
• Patients can either self-refer or be referred by the network's members.

Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions). This will involve seeing 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.

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.

1. Takes professional responsibility as a first-contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage patients.
2. Manages a complex caseload (including patients with long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs).
3. Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.
4. Streamlines pathway of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
5. Ensures care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
6. Provides care which is tailored to the individual needs.
7. Supports patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.
8. Communicates effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.
9. Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient-facing role, using their expert knowledge of Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, to create stronger links for wider MSK services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation skills.
10. Assesses, diagnoses, triages and manages patients, taking responsibility for the management of a complex caseload.
11. Progresses and requests investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the limitations of investigations, interpreting and acting on results and feedback to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
12. Develops integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients and provides a range of first line treatment options, including self-management and referral to rehabilitation focused services and social prescribing provision.
13. Develops relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care.
14. Provides learning opportunities for the whole multi-professional team within primary care, as determined by the PCN.
15. Liaises with secondary care MSK services, community care MSK services and local social and community interventions as required, to support the management of patients in primary care.
16. Manages complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring to social prescribing when appropriate.
17. Communicates effectively and appropriately, with patients and carers, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices supporting personalised care.
18. Implements all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.
19. Supports regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the FCP programme.

• Experience of working as Band 8a in NHS setting.
• Injection therapy.
• Independent prescriber - Not essential but should be prepared to undertake Independent prescription course.

• Able to take Virtual and face to face consultations.
• Working Knowledge of EMIS software system.

• MSc or MSc Module.
• Stage 1 enrolled or equivalent.
• MSc or MSc module Advance Practice.

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.

£45,000 to £52,000 a year.