First Contact Practitioner

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Burton-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust in England is seeking a Band 7 Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner to join their established service. This role includes diagnosing and managing MSK conditions, conducting both virtual and face-to-face consultations. Candidates should be HCPC registered with relevant postgraduate experience. The position emphasizes leadership and maintaining a patient-centered approach. Benefits include professional development and support within a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Work in a diverse environment

Qualifications

• HCPC registered physiotherapist with relevant postgraduate MSK experience.
• Completion of stage 1 of the FCP roadmap to practice.
• Ability to manage complex interactions including psychosocial needs.

Responsibilities

• Establish diagnosis and management plans for MSK issues.
• Facilitate self-management and arrange onward referrals.
• Support remote and face-to-face consultations.

Skills

Leadership

Advanced communication

Decision-making

Education

HCPC registration

Recognised Physiotherapy Qualification

Level 7 FCP Modules or equivalent

Job description

Job Overview

We delighted to offer an opportunity for a Band 7 Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner (FCP) registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) to join our well-established FCP service within East Staffordshire Primary Care Network (PCN).

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner who has relevant postgraduate MSK experience, as well as having completed at least stage 1 of the FCP roadmap to practice. You will be supported to complete any relevant required post graduate training.

You will be joining a network of established FCP staff and will be supported by our FCP clinical lead, alongside our advanced practice physiotherapists within our local MSK therapy services. You will be well supported and empowered to deliver services consistent with our Trust values whilst working at an advanced level within the clinical pillar of practice, having skills to assess/triage and managing a variety of MSK problems.

The role will involve seeing patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions, without prior referral from their GP, establishing a diagnosis, management plan, whilst facilitating self-management or arranging onward referrals to the appropriate services.

You may also be supported to deliver an element of virtual clinical consultations in addition to face-to-face consultations.

You will need to be flexible and able to travel to work in various locations across the Trust as the service requires. It will also include lone working.

Main duties of the job

As an advanced clinician, a person-centred approach to patient management will be required to help embed population health and health prevention strategies into clinical consultations.

As part of this role, you will also be expected to:

• Design and implement plans that facilitate behavioural change, optimise patients’ physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions.
• Request and interpret diagnostic requests, as well as administering joint and soft tissue injections, dependent on service need.
• Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring onwards as required and including social prescribing when appropriate.
• Leading health and work conversations with the appropriate patients and certifying or amending fit notes where relevant.
• Participate in evaluating the service, audit and research.
• Support with ongoing development and peer support, as well having access to clinical quality and performance data to help with quality improvement.
  
  

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For full details regarding this role, please see attached the full job description and person specification.

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Emma Busby.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HCPC registered
• Recognised Physiotherapy Qualification
• Level 7 FCP Modules or equivalent portfolio to demonstrate knowledge, skills and attributes required to meet stage 1 of FCP Roadmap in line with CQC regulatory guidance
• FCP Roadmap Stage sign off with Primary Care for (or willingness to complete) in line with CQC regulatory guidance
  
  

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate leadership
• Highly advanced communication skills
• Ability to make appropriate decisions at all levels
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in applying the knowledge and skills required to include MSK assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised MSK treatment
• Experience of contributing to and service delivery/evolving evidence led practice and delivery in a changing environment
• Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders/ providing leadership within the MSK pathway
• Experience of planning and completing audit & research.