Highly Specialist Musculoskeletal Therapist

At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. When you sign up to work with us, you sign up to this and we welcome applicants who share our values.

The Trauma & Orthopaedic Department is looking for a full-time Highly Specialist MSK Therapist to support our Virtual Fracture Clinic. This role is predominantly based at St Helier Hospital, however the postholder will be expected to travel to Epsom Hospital to support any clinics set up at this location. Ideally you will currently be working at a band level or above and have extensive MSK experience dealing with the management of orthopaedic conditions.

This role forms part of a structure which includes the VFC APP lead, Band 6 physiotherapist, T & O consultants & registrars, Administration. You should be dynamic, flexible and a great team player. You will be an integral part of the MDT and will be expected to work autonomously with strong clinical decision making skills, in often challenging environments. You should be competent with virtual MSK consultations, but also be comfortable carrying an MSK caseload within a busy fracture clinic. You should have strong management and leadership skills in order to be able to deputise for the VFC Clinical Lead, when needed.

Main duties of the job:

• Ensure the orthopaedic trauma patients are treated appropriately in a timely manner.
• Supervise in the absence of the band 8A the band 6 MSK Therapist as part of their rotation from MSK department.
• Liaise closely with the Orthopaedic Consultant of the Week (CoW) discussing treatment plans for patients that have presented through ED and require Orthopaedic input.
• Manage the plan for these patients.
• Request bloods, x-rays, CT/MRI scanning of patient, with outcome and plan of care.
• Explain clearly the treatment plan with the patient for their condition.
• Delegate to the junior nurse as necessary.
• Create and analyse reports for the VFC.
• Make service improvements where necessary.
• Input and update all patient data on database.
• Review waiting list numbers against waiting times.
• Manage improvements that can reduce unnecessary waits.
• Refer patients to other specialities.
• Support the VFC Clinical Lead to evaluate service regularly and implement service improvements.

Person specification:

Knowledge:

• Significant experience in treating trauma and orthopaedic patients in an acute setting.
• Experience in the ordering and interpretation of diagnostic images.
• Experience of independently discharging minor illnesses and injuries.
• Experience with evidence of leadership and operational management of a team of healthcare professionals.
• Experience of running clinics.
• Working knowledge of a wide range of approaches to the management of fractures and acute soft tissue injuries demonstrated by advanced clinical reasoning.
• Involvement in carrying out clinical audit including co-ordination, evaluation and the use of findings to make service developments.
• Experience of assessment of competency of other members of staff.
• Experience of working in a VFC environment.
• Budgetary experience.

Qualifications:

• Registration Health and Care Professions Council or Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
• Evidence of Post-registration training in Trauma & Orthopaedics/ CPD and reflective practice.
• Immediate Life Support (ILS).
• IRMER Qualification.
• Master’s degree in Advance Practice or working towards Advance Life Support (ALS) or working towards.

Skills:

• Diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Evidence of extended nursing or advanced practitioner skills.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in negotiation and conflict management.
• Able to demonstrate well developed problem solving skills to enhance clinical decision-making and expert nursing assessment.
• Ability to analyse performance and statistical information.
• Ability to maintain judgement, work and make decisions under pressure.
• Ability to challenge peers and other members of the multi-disciplinary teams practice to the benefit of patients and carer.
• Experience of gathering and analysing detailed information.

Your recruitment team, the NHS South West London Recruitment Hub, is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us: E: krft.askrecruitment@nhs.net

Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria. Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.

Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.

To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.

If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.