FCP Physiotherapist (Band 7) - Fixed Term in Stockport

We are looking for a proactive and skilled First Contact Physiotherapist to join our team, providing expert patient care with exemplary MSK knowledge, diagnostic experience, and management skills based on best current evidence. You will excel in verbal and non-verbal communication and collaborate closely with GPs and other healthcare teams across primary care in Stockport.

We provide a face-to-face, in-house FCP service to all PCNs within the Stockport borough and also hold the specialist spinal service for the area requiring expert knowledge in clinic diagnosis, imaging and management of complex spinal conditions. You will have or be expected to work towards MSK injection therapy and Non-medical prescribing qualifications with clinical application.

The team solely consists of Specialist level physiotherapists and Advanced musculoskeletal practitioners working autonomously in GP practices, with weekly supervision and training sessions and a pro-rota allocation of Learning and development days per year. We are part of a GP federation (Viaduct Care CIC) and align our pay grades to agenda for change and offer the NHS pension scheme; we also offer flexible working patterns within the hours of the GP practices. This is a 12 month fixed term vacancy at an equivalent to AFC Band 7, salary is usually at minimum scale but may be higher dependent on experience. The post is Part-time (27 hours per week).

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with GP Practices to include First Contact Physiotherapy as part of our patient offer. This will include seeing patients, without prior contact with their GP, to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan and is an ideal role for a motivated individual who is passionate about delivering high quality, joined up clinical management of musculoskeletal conditions. Patients are signposted directly to the FCP clinics by GP reception and practice staff and you will be providing frontline expert screening, assessment and management including diagnostics and injection therapy.

Regular clinical supervision, mentoring and professional development is a key part of the service in keeping with the FCP road map and MSK competency framework; weekly team meetings are diarised with in-service training and case discussion.

About us

Viaduct Care is the GP Federation and is a partnership of all GP practices across Stockport. The federation was formed to empower local GPs to provide the best possible care for patients whilst tackling some of the challenges faced by General Practice by helping doctors and other healthcare professionals work together, share resources and expertise. We are committed to being a pioneering leader in Primary Care, providing collaborative, high quality, health and wellbeing services for the communities we serve.

Whatever stage you’re at in your career, we’ll provide you with the high-quality support you need to continue developing your skills, achieve job satisfaction and help shape the future of healthcare to make a real difference to people’s lives. If you are aspirational and want to be a part of a team focused on excellence in MSK clinical care we would love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To work as a First Contact Practitioner MSK Physiotherapist to assess and manage patients presenting with musculoskeletal presentations to the Viaduct Care service. To assess, treat and manage patients with musculoskeletal presentations. To work with the Musculoskeletal Specialist Physiotherapist to service developments in line with national/local criteria and initiatives to meet the needs of the local population.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Clinical

• Provide assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions requiring senior physiotherapy expertise and knowledge. This may involve patients with psychosocial issues requiring a high level of concentration and sensitivity.
• To deliver physiotherapy clinics in Primary Care in order to manage referred patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
• Initiate a physiotherapy treatment programme (including provision of injection therapy where appropriate) which may include signposting to relevant services and undertake evaluation of clinical outcomes to treatment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records in line with Viaduct Care policy.
• To provide effective onward referral into the wider Stockport Physiotherapy musculoskeletal service where applicable.
• To refer to other specialties when required. This will involve analysis of a number of factors to determine the appropriate specialty.
• To contribute to the process of development, implementation and maintenance of clinical standards within the area of speciality.
• To maintain professional knowledge by keeping up-to-date with developments in line with clinical governance requirements especially in the field of musculoskeletal conditions.
• To provide expert advice to colleagues within physiotherapy and the musculoskeletal field and other professionals as required.
• To maintain close links with Musculoskeletal Specialist Physiotherapists, GPs within the PCNs, the PCN team and other Stockport health care professionals.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of uni-professional and multi-professional guidelines within the area of speciality.

Organisational

• To contribute to developing and reviewing pathways of care for musculoskeletal services in conjunction with the Musculoskeletal Specialist Physiotherapist, GP PCN Lead, Secondary Care Consultants, other Physiotherapy colleagues and Health Care Professionals in line with the Organisational, Regional and National objectives.
• To contribute to the development and implementation and review of policies and procedures for the Viaduct Care service.
• To keep up-to-date and accurate statistical records.
• Provide data, information and reports as required by GP PCN Lead.

Clinical and Practice Governance

• To actively participate in clinical governance in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
• Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient / family / staff / records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
• Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to Viaduct Care Information Governance and Information Security policies.
• The post holder must adhere to Viaduct Care risk assessment and risk management processes.
• The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
• It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.
• Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Viaduct Care.
• Provide patients and their families / carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.
• Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis.

Communication

• To utilise excellent communication skills to provide complex and sensitive information where there are significant barriers to acceptance.
• Contribute to Viaduct Care’s internal communication strategies ensuring effective two-way communication and engagement within the organisation.
• Contribute to Viaduct Care’s external communication strategies to raise awareness and promote the reputation of its services.

Training and Development

• To take part in the training of other staff within the Viaduct Care service relevant to the role, including lecturing, teaching, training and supporting other members of the multidisciplinary team e.g. Practice Managers, GPs.
• Be responsible for maintaining own competency by attending in-service training, peer review, individual training and courses.
• Undertake any other training, which may be relevant to the job role and gain necessary skills to further develop the service.
• To attend national special interest groups and international conferences as appropriate.

Patient and Public Engagement

• To ensure that responsibilities to engage and consult with patients and the public are met in line with statutory requirements.

Audit and Research

• To undertake audit to monitor standards of the Viaduct Care service as required.
• To participate in multidisciplinary audit in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy as appropriate.
• To promote research and critical evaluation of all clinical practices related to musculoskeletal physiotherapy and ensure that service provision is evidence based.

Human Resources

• Participate in the recruitment and retention of staff and assist in the induction of new staff incorporating the necessary statutory and Viaduct Care policies and procedures.
• Deal with complaints in association with the GP PCN Lead in a positive and sensitive way in accordance with organisational policy.
• Maintain own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal process.

Confidentiality and Compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984

The post holder must maintain confidentiality regarding information about patients, staff and other Viaduct Care business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1984. All employees of Viaduct Care must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. In circumstances where it is known that a member of staff has communicated information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1984 also renders an individual liable to prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Health and Safety

All employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees. Review and ensure systems are in place for the proactive management of risk registers. The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures.

Infection Control

All employees of Viaduct Care are required to contribute to the management of infection control and be proactive in awareness raising and prevention. Ensure that all guidelines, protocols and procedures undertaken within the service are in line with evidence based practice for infection control.

Safeguarding

All employees of Viaduct Care have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult safeguarding procedures and must speak to the Viaduct Care Chair in the first instance for further advice. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Recognised Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Evidence of post-registration education, specifically in musculoskeletal field, at Masters level or equivalent: e.g. full MACP member, Credentialed McKenzie Therapist, Orthopaedic Medicine qualification, injection therapy qualification

Knowledge

• Awareness of current initiatives within the Local and National health economy.
• Clear evidence of Continuing Professional Development at Highly Specialist level
• Knowledge and understanding of working in a Primary Care setting
• Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally

Experience

• Previous musculoskeletal postgraduate experience and further of which would be at Senior grade or higher.
• Proven advanced post-graduate skills in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Ability to demonstrate Leadership skills
• Proven experience of managing a team
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to lead and work as part of a team
• High level of organisational and time management skills
• Ability to organise own workload
• Self-motivated
• Be able to travel independently of public transport

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Organised
• Flexible
• Reliable
• Friendly and approachable
• Aware of the range of emotions in self and others
• Demonstrates empathy for the concerns of others
• Listens to and understands directly and indirectly expressed feelings
• Manages strong emotions and responds constructively to the source of problems

Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours