First Contact Physiotherapist

Nexus Health Limited is working in partnership with West Hertfordshire PCNs providing First Contact Physiotherapy service to over 45 GP surgeries across West Hertfordshire, London, and West Berkshire.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Advanced physiotherapist to join our team.

The first contact physiotherapist role supports the delivery of MSK assessment and signposting within primary care, working closely with our GP partners, and will be based at various GP surgeries in Hertsmere.

If you are an experienced MSK physiotherapist, who is able to work collaboratively, is keen to develop leadership skills and motivated to develop into a First Contact Physiotherapist role, this could be the post for you.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Have NHS experience working in a similar role.
• Stage 1 and 2 completed or equivalent.
• Work alongside other clinicians within the PCN as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• The successful candidate will need to be able to work autonomously to assess, manage and discharge a patient without referral to a GP where appropriate.
• Must be able to advise on medications, order investigations and refer on to secondary care services where necessary.
• Able to work via phone and face to face.
• Must be able to give joint injections.
• Must be aware of FCP implementation guide - https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/FCP%20How%20to%20Guide%20v21%20040919%20-%202.pdf
• Must have finished MSK primary care module on Health Education England E Learning module. (https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/)

This post will involve travel between the PCN practices and other venues to help fulfil the role.

Job responsibilities

First contact physiotherapists operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, with skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions. This will involve seeing patients, without prior referral from their GP, to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan, thus streamlining pathways of care. They work independently in clinical practice and do not require day to day supervision. Patients can either self-refer or be referred by the networks members.

The main responsibilities of the post holder are:

1. Provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist and making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions).
2. Progress and 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 test, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
3. Deliver programmes of supported patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Takes professional responsibility as a first-contact physiotherapist, with high-level decision-making and clinical-reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage of patients.
2. Manages a complex caseload (including patients with long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs).
3. Accountable for decisions and actions via HCPC registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice.
4. Streamlines pathway of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
5. Ensures care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
6. Provides care which is tailored to the individual needs.
7. Supports patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.
8. Communicates effectively and appropriately with patients and carers complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.
9. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role, using their expert knowledge of Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, to create stronger links for wider MSK services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation skills.
10. Assess, diagnose, triage and manage patients, taking responsibility for the management of a complex caseload.
11. Progress and request investigations (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime.
12. Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients and provide a range of first line treatment options.
13. Develop relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care.
14. Provide learning opportunities for the whole multi-professional team within primary care.
15. Liaise with secondary care MSK services, community care MSK services and local social and community interventions as required.
16. Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs.
17. Communicate effectively and appropriately, with patients and carers, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices.
18. Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice.
19. Support regional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the FCP programme.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working as Band 8a in NHS setting.
• Injection therapy.

Skills

• Able to take Virtual and face to face consultations.

Qualifications

• MSc or MSc Module.
• Stage 1 enrolled or equivalent.

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000 to £52,000 a year.