First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapist

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust; Leicester Forest East; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust invites applications for a Band 7 MSK Physiotherapist to join the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. You will assess and manage undifferentiated MSK problems in a GP setting, delivering expert care with support from a multidisciplinary team.

Flexible hours, potential part-time roles and access to supervision and professional development are offered to help you develop clinical leadership within primary care.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for patients with undifferentiated MSK conditions.
• Provide expert clinical assessment, establish diagnoses and management plans.
• Order and interpret investigations (e.g., X-rays, blood tests) to support care.
• Deliver supported self-management programmes to promote activity and reduce medication reliance.

Job description

First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapist

Band 7 MSK Physiotherapist (FCP) Fixed Term 12 Months

Are you an experienced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist looking to work in Primary Care as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) for patients with undifferentiated or undiagnosed MSK conditions? Do you want the autonomy to provide expert assessment and management while developing as an enhanced practitioner?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 MSK Physiotherapist to join the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland FCP Service on a 12-month fixed-term contract within the Carillon Primary Care Network.

We are seeking a motivated clinician with MSK experience who is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and improving access to specialist MSK assessment in Primary Care. FCP accreditation, or evidence of relevant training, is desirable but not essential. Excellent communication, organisational and team-working skills are required, along with enthusiasm for promoting the profession within a multidisciplinary team.

You will join a supportive service offering regular clinical and managerial supervision, peer support and access to Advanced Practitioners, helping you further develop your clinical and leadership skills.

Both full-time and part-time hours will be considered, with flexible working options available to support work-life balance.

Main duties of the job

As part of a multidisciplinary Primary Care team, you will act as the first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. You will provide expert clinical assessment, establish accurate diagnoses and management plans, and determine the most appropriate course of work.

Key responsibilities include requesting and interpreting investigations, such as X-rays and blood tests, to support diagnosis and treatment decisions; delivering supported self-management programmes that promote behavioural change, physical activity, independence and achievement of personal goals while reducing reliance on medication; and maintaining advanced clinical knowledge and skills to optimise patient outcomes within a GP setting.

You will work closely with GPs and other healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality MSK care and will support the Operational Lead in the ongoing development and delivery of an effective, efficient and patient-centred First Contact Practitioner Service.

The role offers excellent opportunities for continual professional development, supported by the Operational Lead, senior clinicians and peers, enabling you to achieve your clinical and professional goals.

About us

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides a range of community health, mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages. Delivered through over 100 settings from inpatient wards to out in the community, our 6,500 staff serve over 1 million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

We aim to develop a workforce that reflects our community. We actively implement equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and seek people who share our commitment. We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups.

Details of our benefits, leadership behaviours and other important information can be found in the Information for Applicants, please view the supporting documents.

We will consider requests to work alternative hours or varied working patterns in line with our flexible working policy.

For all substantive roles, new staff (excluding medical staff) are appointed subject to a 6-month probationary period (see Probation Policy).

All jobs will require permission to work in the UK.

For all jobs the cost of any DBS disclosure required will be met by the individual. This will be deducted from salary once started.

Applicants at risk within the local NHS who meet essential criteria will have preference for interview.

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.