Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in West Essex is seeking a passionate musculoskeletal clinician for its First Contact Practitioner service. This role involves assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions directly within GP practices. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant clinical qualification and experience in patient management. Benefits include training opportunities, flexible working options, and NHS employee discounts.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent training facilities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Flexible working options

Responsibilities

• Deliver frontline expert screening and assessment of Musculoskeletal conditions.
• Ensure patients can self-manage or receive the correct clinical support.
• Liaise with GP practices and secondary care specialists.

Skills

Musculoskeletal assessment

Clinical diagnosis

Patient management

Education

Relevant clinical qualification

Job description

Overview

EPUT, as one of the initial national pilot sites for a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) service, is well established providing clinicians to the whole of West Essex. We are seeking a passionate and enthusiastic musculoskeletal clinician to join our team and be part of the FCP service across West Essex. The successful candidate will be employed using funding provided by the musculoskeletal pathway.

The PCNs we provide FCP services to span across West Essex:

• North Uttlesford
• South Uttlesford
• Harlow North & South
• Epping Forest
• Loughton, Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell

Responsibilities

As an MSK First Contact Practitioner you will be part of the Integrated MSK Service (iMSKS) and experience the benefits and opportunities of working as part of multi-disciplinary primary care teams within GP practices. You would be responsible for delivering this innovative model of care within GP practices across the Primary Care Networks (PCNs), providing frontline expert screening, assessment and diagnosis of Musculoskeletal conditions; to ensure patients are supported to self-manage or receive support from the most appropriate clinical pathway. Patients will access an FCP appointment directly from GP receptionists.

The First Contact MSK service involves assessing, requesting diagnostics as appropriate and signposting patients. EPUT has an excellent reputation in supporting professional development and AHPs. We currently have staff embarking on PhD studies, independent prescribing and injection therapy, as structured support and mentoring to complete the FCP Roadmap.

We are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including:

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

Flexible Working and Staff Bank

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment.

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish. If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Practice Pathways

To assess, request diagnostics (imaging/blood analysis) and signpost Musculoskeletal patients within primary care. Make appropriate referrals to secondary care and liaise with specialists in primary and secondary care and spinal MDTs.

This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025