First Contact Physiotherapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Downing Drive Surgery is seeking a First Contact Physiotherapist to join its multidisciplinary GP practice team. You will assess, diagnose and manage musculoskeletal conditions with autonomous decision-making and a strong emphasis on self-management and rehabilitation.

HCPC registration is required, with First Contact Practitioner credentials either completed or in progress. The role may include occasional evening clinics and will involve recording in SystmOne and contributing to audit, service

Qualifications

• HCPC registration
• First Contact Practitioner credentials in progress or completed
• Experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and manage acute, chronic and complex musculoskeletal conditions, identifying red flags
• Make autonomous clinical decisions using advanced clinical reasoning
• Formulate treatment plans and guide patients through appropriate treatment pathways
• Request and interpret investigations within scope of practice
• Refer patients to community, secondary care and specialist services where clinically appropriate
• Support self-management, rehabilitation and lifestyle advice
• Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to support integrated care
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records on SystmOne
• Contribute to audit, quality improvement, service evaluation and clinical governance
• Act as a source of specialist musculoskeletal knowledge for colleagues and give informal clinical support
• Help reduce unnecessary referrals, investigations and repeat appointments
• Prioritise workload within a busy primary care environment

Skills

MSK assessment

Clinical reasoning

Autonomous practice

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Physiotherapy

First Contact Practitioner Roadmap to Practice prerequisites

Tools

SystmOne

Job description

First Contact Physiotherapist post at Downing Drive Surgery, a GP practice where the post-holder works as part of a multidisciplinary team with GPs, nurses and pharmacists. The role is the first point of contact for patients with musculoskeletal problems, with autonomous assessment, diagnosis and management aimed at reducing unnecessary GP appointments. It is a training practice with a focus on self-management and rehabilitation, and occasional evening clinics may be needed. Applicants must hold HCPC registration and have completed, or be working towards, the First Contact Practitioner credentials.

What the job involves

• Assess, diagnose and manage acute, chronic and complex musculoskeletal conditions, identifying red flags
• Make autonomous clinical decisions using advanced clinical reasoning
• Formulate treatment plans and guide patients through appropriate treatment pathways
• Request and interpret investigations within scope of practice
• Refer patients to community, secondary care and specialist services where clinically appropriate
• Support self-management, rehabilitation, exercise and lifestyle advice
• Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to support integrated care
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records on SystmOne
• Contribute to audit, quality improvement, service evaluation and clinical governance
• Act as a source of specialist musculoskeletal knowledge for colleagues and give informal clinical support
• Help reduce unnecessary referrals, investigations and repeat appointments
• Prioritise workload within a busy primary care environment

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Completed, or working towards, First Contact Practitioner Roadmap to Practice credentials

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC registration
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy membership, or eligibility for membership

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience as a physiotherapist
• Assessing and managing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including complex presentations and red flags
• Working autonomously and making independent clinical decisions
• Multidisciplinary team working

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent musculoskeletal assessment, diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills, grounded in current evidence-based practice
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and effective working relationships with patients and colleagues
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
• Understanding of safeguarding, information governance, confidentiality and data protection

Checks & eligibility

• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check
• Eligible to work in the UK

Other

• Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evening clinics or service-specific sessions

Nice to have

• Independent Prescribing Qualification
• Injection Therapy Qualification
• Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice Qualification (MSc level or equivalent)
• Relevant postgraduate training in musculoskeletal physiotherapy
• Experience working in primary care or general practice
• Experience as a First Contact Physiotherapist
• Experience using SystmOne or similar clinical systems
• Experience in clinical audit, service evaluation or quality improvement

What’s offered

• Regular clinical supervision opportunities
• Support for professional development and continuous learning
• Opportunity to contribute to service improvement and innovation