Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy First Contact Practitioner (FCP)

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals; Banstead; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 66,000; Part time

Job summary

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist to join as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) at Band 7. The role is based in Banstead GP Practices, Surrey, with a bank contract and part-time hours (22.5 per week), and an hourly rate of £29.74–£47.58.

The post involves autonomous assessment and rehabilitation of MSK patients, red-flag screening, MDT collaboration, and progression through FCP MSc modules.

Qualifications

• Experience in MSK Physiotherapy outpatient settings, preferably NHS.
• Autonomous practitioner capable of assessing and rehabilitating MSK patients.
• Able to screen for red flags, triage, and refer appropriately within MDT.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical expertise as a first-contact MSK practitioner and determine the best course of action without GP contact.
• Order and interpret investigations to aid diagnosis and management; interpret tests and adjust treatment accordingly.
• Apply shared decision making: explain options, risks, and consequences to patients.
• Deliver self-management programmes to improve activity, mobility and independence for MSK conditions.

Skills

HCPC

Time management

Travel off-site

Education

FCP MSc modules completed

Stage one and two of roadmap completed

Job description

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy First Contact Practitioner (FCP)

Band 7

Main area Therapies Grade Band 7 Contract Bank Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Bank) Job ref 343-7348908-AHP-DNM

Site Banstead GP Practices Town Surrey Salary £29.74 - £47.58 Bank Hourly Rate Salary period Hourly Closing 01/12/2026 09:00

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19.

At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, above all we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. When you sign up to work with us, you sign up to this and we welcome applicants who share our values

Job overview

Experience working in a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy outpatient department(s), preferably within the NHS. Experience working as an autonomous practitioner to Assess and Rehabilitate MSK patients with a broad range of treatment options. Ability to screen for red flags, clinically triage patients with MSK conditions; clinically reason re: diagnosis and appropriate management plans, make appropriate onward referrals; communicate well with local and wider MDT. Completed stage one and two of roadmap, completed FCP MSc modules. Worked as an FCP in a g.p practice for at least 1 year.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact Musculoskeletal (MSK) practitioner and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care. This will involve seeing patients, without prior contact with their GP. Practitioners will use their clinical-reasoning skills to undertake an assessment of the presenting problem, interpret findings, develop working and differential diagnoses, and formulate, communicate and implement management plans that take account of individual’s needs, goals and wishes, local service availability and local and national guidelines and policies.
• Request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests diagnostic services such as x-rays and blood tests, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
• Enable individuals to make decisions about their care using the principles of shared decision making:
  • helping them to identify the priorities and outcomes that are important to them
  • explaining in non-technical language all available options (including doing nothing)
  • exploring with them the risks, benefits and consequences of each available option
  • supporting them to make a decision on their preferred way forward.
• Deliver programmes of supported patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence relevant to their MSK condition and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.

Working for our organisation

Surrey Downs Health and Care is an innovative partnership between the local GP federations (GP Health Partners in the Epsom, Leatherhead and Ewell area, Dorking Healthcare for Dorking practices and Surrey Medical Network for practices in the East Elmbridge area), CSH Surrey and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Further details about the roles & responsibilities are attached on the job description.

Person specification

Skills

• HCPC
• personal attributes -excellent time management & commitment
• other requirements- able to travel to venues off site when required

experience

• experience
• Experience of managing complex projects
• Significant post registration hospital pharmacy experience at a senior level

Our mission: ‘to put the patient first by delivering great care to every patient, every day.’

There’s never been a better time to join the Epsom and St Helier team. Our hospitals are facing a bright and busy future, and our staff have a proven track record in providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients.

Boasting incredible staff benefits and dedicated training schemes, working for us will not only take your career forward, but could help to transform the lives of our patients and visitors.

We offer all employees some fantastic staff benefits, and are the only hospitals in Surrey to offer staff the London high cost area supplement. Our hospitals also benefit from great locations, so whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or the countryside of Epsom Downs, both are within easy reach.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For new entrants into the NHS, your pay under the Agenda for Change or Medical & Dental Pay Bands, will normally be set at the minimum of the pay band as advertised.
If you apply for this position and do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed for interview on this occasion.

ESTH values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusionwill lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Internal applicants from underrepresented minority groups are encouraged to seek development support such as work shadowing and interview skills coaching. Please contact the recruitment team for more information.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.