First Contact Physio/Clinical Specialist (Band 7)

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust; Long Lee; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in England seeks a First Contact Physiotherapist / Clinical Specialist to join their innovative team. The role combines FCP services with MSK clinical expertise. Ideal candidates will possess relevant physiotherapy qualifications and experience in integrated care pathways. The position is permanent, offering competitive pay and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent pre-registration award in Physiotherapy.
• State registrations with the Health Care Professions Council required.
• MSc/PhD or relevant post-graduate qualifications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver FCP services, leading and developing care pathways.
• Provide evidence-based specialist knowledge to MSK services.
• Train staff and students while ensuring effective service delivery.

Skills

Clinical reasoning skills

Experience in MSK Physiotherapy

Leadership abilities

Excellent communication

Digital technology skills

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy

State registration with the Health Care Professions Council

Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice

Job description

First Contact Physio/Clinical Specialist (Band 7)

Join Airedale as a First Contact Physiotherapist & MSK Spinal ClinicalSpecialist PhysiotherapistAre you a dynamic MSK physiotherapist with a passion for spinal conditions and a drive to shape integrated care pathways? Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting two Band 7 physiotherapists for a unique dual-role opportunity that blends autonomous First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) with specialist MSK PhysiotherapySpinal patient management.

• 20.25 hours/week delivering FCP services in Primary Care -- be the first point of contact for MSK patients, offering expert triage, diagnosis, and management without prior GP referral.
• 17.25 hours/week as an MSK Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist with a spinal focus -- lead and support advanced assessment and rehabilitation for spinal presentations, and support service development across Primary and Secondary care

This hybrid role is designed to offer variety, challenge, and the chance to influence care at multiple levels. You'll be part of a forward-thinking team committed to clinical excellence and innovation.

Main duties of the job

Job Summary

Clinical Specialist / FCP is responsible for contributing to leadership and development of the MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

The post holder will.

Work clinically as an FCP and clinical specialist physiotherapist leading and

developing pathways of care to develop an integrated MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service pathways

Be responsible for planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating clinical case work within the MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Provide evidence based, highly specialist knowledge and skills to the MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service. Support staff in the management of spinal conditions lead and develop spinal rehabilitation pathways

Provide a key role in partnership working with patients, carers, the MDT, and wider statutory, private, and voluntary sector services.

Take responsibility for effective functioning of the team within MSK Physiotherapy/ First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Take a lead with quality improvements in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Take responsibility for staff and student training and development. Provide support

to operational and service managers deputizing for them as required

This role will have a spinal focuswhen working in the physiotherapy service

About us

Why Airedale?

• National leader in telemedicine and offender healthcare
• Strong academic links with Bradford University, Craven College, and Leeds City College
• 400+ volunteers supporting community care
• A culture built on compassion, quality, and collaboration -- our "Right Care" behaviours are more than values, they're our way of working

Who We're Looking For

• A confident, autonomous MSK clinicians with spinal expertise
• Someone who thrives in both Primary Care and specialist MSK outpatient rehab settings
• A team player who can mentor others and contribute to service development and supervision
• Passionate about evidence-based, person-centred care

Job responsibilities

Please see full job description and person specification for further details and job advert

We actively encourage informal conversations before applying reach out and discover how this role could be the next step in your career.Closing Date: 17th December 2025Interview Date: Provisional week beginning 5th Jan 2026Base: Airedale NHS Foundation Trust working in primary care settings as part of the roleSalary: Band 7 Hours: 37.5/week (20.25 FCP / 17.25 MSK Spinal Specialist- 2 posts)If you are interested, please contactRachel Tiplady - [e-mail] Duxbury- [e-mail] Sainty - [e-mail]

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

(Add appropriate managerial and professional organisational chart for team/clinical area)

Managerial Organisational Chart

Chief AHP and Head of Therapies

Therapy Service Managers MSK

Operational Manager MSK Physiotherapy services and First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Clinical Specialist/FCP Physiotherapist

Senior AHP Support Worker

AHP Support Worker

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

PERSON SPECIFICATION

TITLE OF POST

Clinical Specialist /First Contact Physiotherapists (FCP)

BAND

7

DEPARTMENT

Physiotherapy

LOCATION

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust - MSK Physiotherapy First Contact Physiotherapist - Primary Care Premises (Primary Care Networks)

REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESSMENT METHOD

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent pre-registration award in Physiotherapy

State registrations with the Health Care Professions Council

Recent post graduate courses relevant to the: MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Previous experience of leadership

Completion of course in Professional Practice education

MSc or PhD in a relevant subject

FCP training completed / prior FCP experience

Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice

Certificate in Managing Health Services or equivalent

Successful completion of a Professionally validated specialist course

Recent post graduate courses in Leadership/management

Member of relevant Professional special interest groups/organisations

Application form

Experience

Recent, comprehensive, and relevant experience working in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Experience of multidisciplinary team working

Experienced in use of IT applications

Experience of multidisciplinary guideline development, implementation, and audit

Experience of clinical supervision both as supervisee and supervisor

Experience of managing other people including conducting annual reviews

Recent experience of student training

Recent experience of leadership /management role

Experience of taking part in or leading on clinical projects/ service improvements

Experience of taking part in or leading an audit or research project

Experience in dealing with Human Resource issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness, and annual leave

Experience of working flexibly shifts/weekends

Knowledge

Specialist level of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to support expert

clinical practice in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service

Knowledge of clinical standards and ability to implement and audit these in the team

Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit, and research

Knowledge of the principles of student-centred learning and reflective practice

Knowledge of relevant national and local legislation relevant to MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy

Skills

Skills in the use digital technology

Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to facilitate these skills in others.

Excellent interpersonal skills for developing complex working relationships, expressing opinions constructively, seeking consensus and maintaining networks.

Ability to chair meetings and facilitate workshops effectively

Ability to use all applications of Microsoft Office

Audit and critical appraisal skills

Personal Attributes and values

High degree of self-motivation and initiative and resilience

High degree of Honesty and integrity

Supportive, approachable, tactful, and diplomatic

Highly flexible to meet own and service needs and be open to new ideas

High degree of energy and enthusiasm

Works independently within parameters set by codes of conduct, professional guidelines, and policies

Actively seeks responsibility, accountability, and autonomy

Always conducts self professionally and able to adapt approach to a range of situations.

Lead by example

Interview/references

Other

Current UK Driving Licence

Access to own transport

Application form

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent pre-registration award in Physiotherapy
• State registrations with the Health Care Professions Council
• Recent post graduate courses relevant to the: MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service
• Recent post graduate courses in Leadership/management
• Completion of course in Professional Practice education
• MSc or PhD in a relevant subject
• Development / completion of the FCP road map to practice
• Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice Certificate in Managing Health Services or equivalent
• Successful completion of a Professionally validated specialist course
• Member of relevant Professional special interest groups/organisations

Experience

• Recent, comprehensive, and relevant experience working in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working
• Experienced in use of IT applications
• Experience of multidisciplinary guideline development, implementation, and audit
• Experience of clinical supervision both as supervisee and supervisor
• Experience of managing other people including conducting annual reviews
• Recent experience of student training
• Recent experience of leadership /management role
• Experience of taking part in or leading on clinical projects/ service improvement2
• Experience of taking part in or leading an audit or research project
• Experience in dealing with Human Resource issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness, and annual leave
• Experience of working flexibly shifts/weekends

Knowledge

• Specialist level of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to support expert. clinical practice in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service
• Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy Service
• Knowledge of clinical standards and ability to implement and audit these in the team
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit, and research
• Knowledge of the principles of student-centred learning and reflective practice
• Knowledge of relevant national and local legislation relevant to MSK Physiotherapy/First Contact Physiotherapy

Skills

• Skills in the use digital technology
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to facilitate these skills in others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for developing complex working relationships, expressing opinions constructively, seeking consensus and maintaining networks.
• Ability to chair meetings and facilitate workshops effectively
• Ability to use all applications of Microsoft Office
• Audit and critical appraisal skills

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.

Airedale Hospital MSK Physiotherapy across sites

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearpro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Reference number

423-7534735

Job locations

Airedale Hospital MSK Physiotherapy across sites