First Contact Practitioner - Southampton

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust is seeking a First Contact Practitioner in Southampton to provide high-quality musculoskeletal care. The role demands post-graduate experience and a BSc in Physiotherapy. Main responsibilities include assessing patients, delivering self-management programs, and being an essential resource for the multidisciplinary team. The position offers a competitive salary of £47,810 to £54,710 and a permanent contract. Join us to shape the future of diverse healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Experience working and writing at 'M' level.
• Experience in management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Responsibilities

• Act as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Primary Care.
• Deliver programmes of supported patient self‑management.
• Serve as an experienced physiotherapy resource.

Skills

Post‑graduate experience within MSK services

Delivering high quality musculoskeletal care

Experience in assessing and diagnosing rapidly

Education

BSc Hons Physiotherapy or equivalent

HCPC/GOSC Registration

Evidence of postgraduate courses / CPD

Member Chartered Society Physiotherapy

Postgraduate IRMER training

Job description

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

First Contact Practitioner - Southampton

Closing date: 21 December 2025

Solent FCP, as part of the newly formed Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, continues to work in partnership with many of the Primary Care Networks across Hampshire, and is now looking to expand their footprint further. Would you like to be part of our Team?

Who we are looking for

• Post‑graduate experience within MSK services
• Already working at, or actively working towards, completion of Roadmap Stg 1 and 2
• Experience in delivering high quality, evidence‑based musculoskeletal care
• Interested in being part of an innovative and rapidly expanding service

If successful, you will be fully supported and integrated into the assessment, management and transformation of musculoskeletal care as part of the wider MSK team (inclusive of Pelvic health, hydrotherapy, Rheumatology, adolescent MSK and Persistent Pain) we work with everyday.

Main duties of the role

• Act as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Primary Care; assess, diagnose rapidly and accurately and decide the best course of action for patients' care, including undifferentiated conditions.
• Deliver programmes of supported patient self‑management that facilitate behavioural change, optimise physical activity and mobility, achieve personal goals and promote independence, while minimising the need for pharmacological interventions using a person‑centred approach.
• Serve as an experienced and skilled physiotherapy resource for the service and multidisciplinary team in the musculoskeletal out‑patients specialism, promote best practice in Primary Care and ensure appropriate management within the MSK Pathways.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high‑quality and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training and collaborative working.

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone – if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team – detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working – all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc Hons Physiotherapy or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration (HCPC)/General Osteopathic Council (GOSC)
• Evidence of post‑graduate courses / CPD
• Member Chartered Society Physiotherapy / Institute of Osteopathy
• Working towards / evidence of completion of HEE Roadmap to practice Stg 1 or Stg 1 & 2
• Postgraduate IRMER training / Non‑Medical Prescriber training / Injection therapy training

Experience

• Relevant MSK experience and evidence of working and writing at 'M' level
• Experience in management of musculoskeletal conditions

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.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Adelaide Health Centre, Western Community Centre

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year (please note: for part‑time hours the salary will be pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Reference number

348‑CSS‑9825

Job locations

Adelaide Health Centre, Western Community Centre