MSK First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapists

The Methodist Church in Britain; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Leeds GP Confederation is recruiting self-employed MSK First Contact Practitioner physiotherapists on a 12-month basis to see patients face to face across several primary care networks. The post focuses on first contact assessment, diagnosis and initial management of undifferentiated MSK conditions with onward referral as needed.

Applicants must have HCPC registration and FCP Roadmap sign-off, and work independently with support from an MSK Professional Lead.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as physiotherapist.
• Unsupervised independent diagnosis and management in primary care.
• FCP Roadmap qualified or signed off.

Responsibilities

• Conduct first contact assessment and management of MSK cases in GP practices.
• Triaged patients from self-referral and referrals; manage caseloads.
• Order/interpret imaging and tests to reach a diagnosis.
• Develop shared care plans including self-management and rehab.
• Advise GP teams on MSK management and training needs.
• Maintain clinical governance through audits and mandatory training.

Skills

Independent judgement

Analytical skills

Problem solving

GPIT systems

Education

BSc in Physiotherapy

MSc pre-registration in Physiotherapy

Tools

GPIT systems

Prescribing data monitoring systems

Job description

Leeds GP Confederation is recruiting self-employed MSK First Contact Practitioner physiotherapists on a 12-month basis to see patients face to face across several primary care networks. The work centres on first contact assessment, diagnosis and first-line management of undifferentiated musculoskeletal conditions, with onward referral and investigation as clinically needed. The post is open only to experienced MSK clinicians with FCP sign-off, who work independently with support from an MSK Professional Lead. Applicants need HCPC registration and FCP Roadmap sign-off.

What the job involves

• First contact assessment, diagnosis and first-line management of complex MSK presentations in GP practices, face to face or by telephone
• Manage patients with multiple pathologies, mental health needs or pain management needs alongside their MSK condition
• Triage patients from self-referral, reception or service clinicians and refer onward to other professionals, PCNs or providers
• Work without day-to-day supervision, managing a caseload of PCN registered patients and liaising with the MSK Professional Lead
• Order and interpret x-rays, MRI, ultrasound and blood tests alongside physiotherapy assessment to reach a diagnosis
• Build shared care plans with patients, covering self-management, rehabilitation, social prescribing and exercise programmes
• Make clinically justified referrals to MSK pathways, joint injections, community spinal services, rehabilitation and secondary care
• Recognise non-MSK disease presenting as MSK symptoms and refer appropriately
• Advise GPs and the primary care team on MSK management and provide ad hoc training and supervision to specialist primary care professionals
• Contribute to MSK referral guidelines and service standards, feeding back to the MSK Professional Lead
• Support preventative strategies with the PCN team
• Maintain clinical governance through audit, evaluation, mandatory training and a professional portfolio, and take part in complaint and incident reviews as appropriate

Qualifications

• BSc in Physiotherapy or MSc pre-registration degree in Physiotherapy
• Level 7 capability in MSK practice within the ACP framework, or equivalent such as advanced assessment, diagnosis and treatment
• FCP Roadmap qualified or signed off, by taught or portfolio route

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration

Experience

• Unsupervised independent diagnosis and management of varied MSK conditions in primary care
• Applying the FCP physiotherapy process, including assessment, care planning, monitoring and evaluation of specialised MSK treatment
• Contributing to service delivery and evidence-led practice in a changing environment

Skills & knowledge

• Independent judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Analysing complex or incomplete clinical information and balancing competing priorities to make difficult clinical decisions
• Working knowledge of Microsoft and GPIT systems, and prescribing data monitoring systems

Nice to have

• MSc degree in Physiotherapy or a related area
• Evidence of working across organisational boundaries in health and social care
• Working towards advanced clinical practitioner status
• Previous supervisory experience
• Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Cognitive behavioural and motivational interviewing skills
• Demonstrated leadership when introducing change