First Contact Physiotherapists (Musculoskeletal Role) (Internal Only)

East Cheshire Nhs Trust; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

East Cheshire NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Physiotherapist to join as a First Contact Practitioner (Band 8a) in primary care. The role involves autonomous MSK assessment, diagnosis and management at first contact, improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary referrals within an integrated service.

The post requires HCPC registration, evidence of advanced MSK practice, and strong leadership and communication skills to drive service improvement and support multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• BSc Hons in Physiotherapy and HCPC registration.
• Experience at Level 7 within the ACP framework for MSK practice or equivalent.
• Ability to lead and manage change across a service and MDT teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert MSK assessment, diagnosis and management at first point of contact.
• Lead service improvements and collaborative working across the pathway.
• Support GP practices and reduce unnecessary referrals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

MSK clinical reasoning

Change management

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Education

BSc Hons in Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

Tools

GPIT systems

Prescribing data monitoring systems

Job description

Job summary

This role is subject to job matching

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Physiotherapist to join ECT on a fixed term basis to work as an FCP. This will involved clinical work within Middlewood Primary Care. We welcome applications from Graduate visa holders; it is important to note that you must have a minimum of 12 months before this expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

Non‑UK or Irish applicants should check their visa and this role's eligibility for sponsorship before applying. For further information please visit Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please be advised we are unable to provide Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship to non‑UK residents.

This is a secondment post for 12 months from 1.12.26.

Hours per week: 15.25

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic First Contact Practitioner (Band 8a) to join our integrated musculoskeletal service. The role offers the opportunity to work autonomously within primary care, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions at their first point of contact. You will play a key role in improving patient outcomes, reducing unnecessary referrals, supporting GP practices, and delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. The successful candidate will be an advanced practitioner with excellent clinical reasoning, leadership, and communication skills, committed to service improvement and collaborative working across the healthcare system.

About us

We are committed to providing the best quality integrated care to our patients. To achieve this aim we need highly motivated staff who are united by common values and behaviours.

We believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we actively support our staff to develop their capabilities to the full, with a variety of learning and development opportunities.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, East Cheshire NHS Trust is the right employer for you. We look forward to you joining us so that we can bring out your best.

Please be aware that this post requires an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check with barred lists, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.

Job responsibilities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job youre applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Hons (Bachelor of Science with Honours) degree in Physiotherapy
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
• Can demonstrate working at Level 7 [within the ACP framework] capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment)

Desirable

• Pre-reg MSc degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
• Completed or working towards a Supplementary Prescribing qualification
• Non-medical prescribing qualification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft and GPIT (General Practice Information Technology) (I.T. system) systems, alongside prescribing data monitoring systems
• Ability to lead and manage change across own service and wider MDT team/services.
• Ability to integrate latest evidence-based practice into services and ability to use to lead change across a pathway/range of providers
• Able to understand and analyse complex issues and balance competing priorities in order to make difficult decisions
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex/ often incomplete information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to evidence a sound understanding of the NHS principles and values
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and persuade others articulating a balanced view and able to constructively question information

Desirable

• Working towards advanced clinical practitioner status
• Strong knowledge of cognitive behavioural and motivational interviewing approaches / skills
• Evidence of working across organisational boundaries within health and social care
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Evidence of inspiring and motivating teams with the ability to communicate passionately, effectively and persuasively across a diverse set of stakeholders
• Ability to negotiate effectively
• build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders which are based on openness, honesty trust and confidence

Experience

Essential

• Significant leadership and experience in applying the physiotherapy process to include MSK assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised MSK treatment
• Experience of senior level decision making and delivery in a changing environment
• Experience of supervision of specialist staff/ line management
• Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders/providing leadership within the MSK pathway

Desirable

• Experience of working within a primary care setting
• Experience of supervision/ line management
• Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders

Specific Job Requirement

Essential

• Strong and inspirational leadership
• Ability to co-ordinate and prioritise workloads - able to multi-task as well as be self-disciplined and highly motivated
• Demonstrates a flexible approach in order to ensure patient care is delivered

Desirable

• High degree of personal credibility, emotional intelligence, patience and flexibility
• Ability to cope with unpredictable situation
• Confident in facilitating and challenging others

Further Information

Essential

• Please provide any additional relevant information to support your application. Please note that this is a non-scoring question

Other Role Requirements

Essential

• Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details regarding the role requirements

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).