Job Summary
As a First Contact Physiotherapist, the post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team across the practices of a Primary Care Network (PCN). The post will collaborate with the PCN GPs, other clinicians, staff and community, acute, social and voluntary sectors. The post holder will assess and treat conditions, manage long‑term conditions and promote self‑care, working under the supervision of a designated clinical supervisor.
The Post Holder Will
* 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). This will involve seeing patients without prior contact with their GP to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan.
* Progress and request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, recognising the limitations and interpreting results to aid patient management.
* Deliver programmes of supported patient self‑management to facilitate behavioural change, optimise physical activity, mobility, fulfil personal goals and independence, and minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.
Primary Responsibilities
* Independently assimilate and respond to patient referrals in a timely and professional manner.
* Allow sufficient space for patient history to guide treatment options or further investigation or referral.
* Perform appropriate physical examination to assess musculoskeletal conditions and reach a clinical decision, including screening other systems such as cardiovascular, neural, or respiratory.
* Make clinical judgments about the best course of action or treatment, accepting the risk for decisions that do not lead to further patient assessment.
* Provide appropriate healthcare advice specific to a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
* Provide brief interventions of assessment, advice and exercise, reducing the need for same‑day or week GP appointments.
* Encourage the use of self‑management strategies, overcoming potential barriers and negotiating with patients on return to activities where cognitive, behavioural or motivational issues may be significant.
* Incorporate relevant extended practice skills into first‑contact clinics and follow‑ups as required.
* Communicate effectively with secondary care providers, ensuring patients are signposted appropriately.
* Liaise with on‑site staff (e.g., reception, practice nurse, health care assistant, GP) for ongoing care.
* Use the computer system accurately to document all patient assessments, adverse events, safeguarding issues and other important matters.
* Provide feedback into the service from users and staff, using case studies to improve service design and strategic care management.
* Meet HCPC Standards of proficiency and work within the organisation's values and behaviours.
Service Development
* Contribute physiotherapy advice for the development and implementation of new pathways and services that include physiotherapy components (e.g., treatment pathways and patient information leaflets).
Education and Training
* Provide education, training and awareness advice to the primary healthcare team on physiotherapy matters.
Care Quality Commission
* Work with the general practice team to ensure compliance with CQC standards.
Collaborative Working Relationships
* Participate in the Primary Care Network multidisciplinary team.
* Liaise with CCG colleagues including commissioners to ensure consistency of patient care.
* Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.
* Explore potential for collaborative working and initiate and sustain such relationships.
* Recognise the roles of other colleagues and refer when necessary.
* Integrate general practice with community and hospital physiotherapy teams.
Liaises And Demonstrates Effective Communication With Other Stakeholders As Needed For The Collective Benefit Of Patients Including But Not Limited To
* Patients and their representatives.
* GP, nurses and other practice staff.
* Other healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social prescribers, first contact physiotherapists, physicians associate and paramedics.
* Community nurses and other allied health professionals.
* Hospital staff with responsibilities for physiotherapy.
Professional Development
* Work with the line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.
* Participate in monthly meetings with the line manager to discuss targets and outcomes.
* Adhere to organisational policies: confidentiality, safeguarding, lone‑working, information governance and health and safety.
* Use regular clinical supervision to address difficult issues.
* Review yearly progress and develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others.
* Participate in formal education programmes.
* Keep up to date with current educational policies and clinical practice.
Knowledge, Skills And Experience Required
* Completion of an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
* Master’s Level qualification or equivalent specialist knowledge, skills and experience.
* Level 7 capability in MSK practice (e.g., advanced assessment, diagnosis and treatment).
* Advanced level practice capability.
* Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
* May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification.
* May hold or be working towards a postgraduate physiotherapy qualification.
* Recognise priorities when problem‑solving and refer to seniors or GPs when appropriate.
* Follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct.
* Involve patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence as per NICE guidelines.
* Use the EMIS clinical system software.
Education, Training and Development
* Understand and demonstrate role model characteristics to team members and service.
* Demonstrate self‑development through continuous professional development activity.
* Keep up to date with current educational policies and relevant clinical practice.
* Ensure appropriate clinical supervision is in place.
Leadership
* Understand physiotherapy’s role in governance and implement appropriately.
* Contribute to the workplace vision.
* Improve quality within service limitations.
* Review yearly progress and set clear plans to achieve goals.
* Motivate self to achieve goals.
* Promote diversity and equality and lead by example.
Health & Safety / Risk Management
* Comply with all local health and safety policies, safe working procedures and incident reporting system.
* Comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).
Equality & Diversity
* Co-operate with all policies and procedures ensuring equal employment treatment regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
Patient Confidentiality
* Respect patient confidentiality and the confidentiality of electronically stored personal data in line with GDPR and the Confederation Information Governance policy.
* Only disclose patient information if sanctioned by the line manager and required for the role.
Communication & Working Relationships
* Establish and maintain effective communication pathways with project team members.
Special Working Conditions
* Travel independently between sites (where applicable) and attend meetings hosted by other agencies.
Job Description Agreement
This job description outlines key tasks and responsibilities only. Other duties may be required. It will be reviewed and may be amended to account for development within the Confederation. Staff may be expected to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties to maintain efficient service operation.
This description is a basic guide to scope and responsibilities and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
* Registration with HCPC.
* BSc/Grad Dip in Physiotherapy.
* Evidence of CPD and post‑registration portfolio.
* CPD in Primary Care and MSK management.
* Minimum 2 years post‑qualification experience.
* Experience as Senior Physiotherapist in an autonomous MSK role.
* Clinical experience of triage and care planning.
* Understanding of professional ethics/code of conduct and application in practice.
* Excellent physical examination skills and prioritisation of relevant screening.
* Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information understandably to a variety of audiences.
* Good IT skills.
* Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information.
* Recognise priorities when problem‑solving and refer to seniors or GPs when appropriate.
* Work under pressure and meet deadlines.
* Produce timely and informative reports.
* Gain acceptance for recommendations and influence/persuade audiences to comply where barriers exist.
* Work effectively independently and as a team member.
* Demonstrate accountability for delivering clinical expertise and direct service provision.
* Safeguarding adult and children level three.
* Basic life support training.
Desirable Criteria
* MSc or MSc modules for advanced practice.
* Extended scope competencies around bloods, imaging and prescribing.
* Experience working in Primary Care and first contact roles.
* Knowledge of other specialties common with pain (Rheumatology, Vascular, Endocrinology, etc).
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