First Contact Physiotherapist

Law Medical Group Practice, operating as part of Brent Beacon PCN, is seeking an experienced First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) to join the on-site primary care team in Brent. This is a patient-facing role based within a single GP practice and is not a remote position. The FCP will act as the first point of contact for patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions, providing advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management within general practice. The role plays a key part in improving patient access to timely MSK care, reducing GP workload, and supporting integrated, multidisciplinary working across the PCN.

Working closely with GPs and the wider primary care team, the successful post-holder will manage independent MSK clinics, deliver high-quality evidence-based care, and contribute to service development in line with PCN and ARRS objectives.

Main duties of the job

• The First Contact Physiotherapist will act as the initial clinical contact for patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions within the GP practice, carrying out advanced assessments, diagnosis, and management independently.
• The role involves providing expert clinical advice, reassurance, and self-management plans, identifying red flags, ordering and interpreting appropriate investigations, and making onward referrals to community or secondary care where required.
• The post-holder will maintain accurate clinical records, work closely with GPs and the wider multidisciplinary team, and contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement, and the ongoing development of MSK services within primary care.

About us

The Law Medical Group Practice is a long-standing, well-established, well-respected, and well-regarded teaching and training practice in NW London, Brent. The practice operates across two sites: Willesden (main site) and Wembley (branch site). The practice has undergone significant changes in the last two years, including a recent merger with another local practice. The practice list is 18,000 patients.

The practice is paperlight and uses Emis Web + Docman, Accurx, E-Consult. The practice is well supported by:

• 5 GP Partners
• 1 Non Clinical Managing / Executive Partner
• 1 Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• 2 Practice Nurses
• 4 Phlebotomists / Healthcare Assistants
• 3 Practice Based Clinical Pharmacists
• 2 Social Prescribers
• 2 In-House First Contact Physiotherapists
• 1 In-House Dietician

The practice provides:

• E-Consultations
• Telephone Triage
• Minor Surgery & Cryotherapy
• Family Planning
• Respiratory Clinics
• Ante-natal / Well baby / Mum clinics

A dietician visits the branch site in Wembley and a community midwife visits the main site in Willesden.

The practice is well supported by:

• Operations Manager
• 2 x lead receptionist and facilities leads
• 2 x practice secretaries
• Finance assistant
• IT Data Analyst
• Approx 20 admin, clerical and reception staff members

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact clinician for patients with MSK presentations.
• Undertake advanced clinical assessments, diagnosis, and management planning.
• Provide expert advice, reassurance, and self-management strategies to patients.
• Identify red flags and refer appropriately to secondary care or other services.
• Order and interpret relevant investigations within scope of practice.
• Make onward referrals to community, secondary care, or specialist MSK services as required.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records on the GP clinical system.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement, and service development.

Multidisciplinary Working

• Work closely with GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social prescribers, and other ARRS staff.
• Contribute to MDT discussions and care planning.
• Support education of practice staff on MSK conditions and pathways.

Governance and Professional Practice

• Practice in line with HCPC, CSP, and local clinical governance frameworks.
• Adhere to all practice and PCN policies, including safeguarding and infection control.
• Maintain CPD and professional revalidation requirements.
• Participate in appraisal, supervision, and training as required.

Typical Workload

• Independent MSK clinics within the GP practice.
• Same-day or rapid-access appointments for MSK presentations.
• Appointment lengths typically 20-30 minutes (subject to local model).
• Mix of acute, chronic, and complex MSK cases.
• Minimal administrative burden compared with traditional physiotherapy roles.

Person Specification

• HCPC-registered Physiotherapist.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Physiotherapy.
• Experience working autonomously and managing a clinical caseload.
• Strong clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in, or closely with, primary care or community services.
• Understanding of primary care pathways and referral systems.
• Independent Prescribing qualification (or working towards).
• Previous experience as a First Contact Physiotherapist in GP primary care.
• Experience working within PCN or ARRS-funded roles.
• Postgraduate MSK qualification or advanced practice training.
• Experience in service development or quality improvement initiatives.

Additional Information

This is an on-site role based within the GP practice. The post supports delivery of PCN objectives and improved access to MSK care. Employment terms to align with PCN / ARRS guidance.

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.