Role Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) for a Trainee Advanced Practitioner in MSK/Spinal and Lower Limb to join the Orthopaedic Interface Service (OIFS), based in North Devon.
This post offers the opportunity to learn and work as part of a highly regarded, consultant-supported spinal and MSK service, with a primary focus on spinal conditions alongside some lower limb work. You will be embedded within the Northern service while being an integral part of the wider RDUH spinal pathway, including collaboration with the tertiary spinal unit in Exeter.
Our service operates within the Devon-wide Single Point of Access (SPOA) for spinal conditions, ensuring streamlined, equitable access to specialist care and consistent pathway delivery across the region.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
This is a substantive Trainee Advanced Practice role, within a forward-thinking, multidisciplinary team, Orthopaedic Interface Service, based in North Devon.
You will work towards a high level of clinical autonomy while being fully supported through:
1. Consultant Physiotherapist leadership and mentorship
2. NHSE/Local AP Competency and capability
3. Working towards full MSc
4. Robust governance from the Consultant Spinal Surgical Group
5. Regular MDT working across North Devon and Exeter sites
A Trainee Advanced Practitioner (AP) in MSK follows a structured, supported development pathway designed to build capability across the four pillars of advanced practice. This typically involves undertaking a relevant postgraduate MSc in Advanced Practice alongside supervised clinical practice, where competencies are achieved progressively through a defined framework and portfolio. Trainees work under regular clinical supervision and mentorship from experienced Advanced Practitioners and consultants, with protected time for learning, reflection, and academic study. Development is mapped against agreed capabilities, including advanced assessment, clinical reasoning, investigation and management skills, with formal sign-off at key stages. Governance processes such as case-based discussion, direct observation, and portfolio review ensure safe progression toward increasing autonomy. By completion, the trainee is expected to demonstrate independent practice, leadership within MSK pathways, and contribution to education and service development, meeting the standards set by national Advanced Practice frameworks.
The Orthopaedic Interface Service is central to ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, reducing unnecessary surgical referrals and improving patient outcomes across the system.
About the service:
The Orthopaedic Interface Service (OIFS) provides specialist triage, assessment, and management for patients with complex MSK and orthopaedic presentations. As part of the wider RDUH spinal pathway, the service works seamlessly from GP referral through to secondary and tertiary care.
Key features of the service include:
6. Advanced clinical assessment and expert diagnostic reasoning
7. Direct access to imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) and investigations
8. Delivery of specialist interventions, including injection therapy
9. Close integration with Orthopaedics, Pain Services, Rheumatology, and Neurology
10. Participation in Devon-wide spinal SPOA pathways
11. Cross-site MDT collaboration with the Exeter tertiary spinal unit
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical Practice
12. Manage complex spinal and MSK presentations with decreasing supervision
13. Request, interpret, and act on diagnostic investigations
14. Contribute to surgical decision-making and pathway optimisation
15. Deliver high-quality, patient-centred care with advanced clinical autonomy
16. Leadership & Service Development
17. Support ongoing development of the OIFS and wider spinal pathway
18. Work collaboratively with Consultant Physiotherapists and clinical leaders
19. Contribute to innovation, service improvement, and pathway redesign
20. Promote integrated working across primary, community, and secondary care
21. Education, Training & Research
22. Provide mentorship, supervision, and teaching to colleagues
23. Support workforce development across the MSK pathway
24. Engage in audit, service evaluation, and research activity
Working for our organisation:
RDUH offers a unique opportunity to work within a progressive, system-wide spinal service, combining local delivery in North Devon with support from the tertiary spinal centre in Exeter.
The OIFS actively promotes:
25. Professional growth and career development
26. Collaborative leadership across the MSK and spinal pathway
27. Innovation and service transformation at scale
About You:
We are seeking an experienced and motivated clinician who:
28. Has significant experience in MSK practice, particularly spinal conditions
29. Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills
30. Is confident working autonomously within a supported governance framework
31. Has a passion for service development, leadership, and education
32. Thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
Location:
North Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering an exceptional quality of life with stunning coastlines, countryside, and a strong sense of community. It is an inspiring place to live and work, combining professional opportunity with lifestyle benefits.
Application Information:
To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your application.
Please note this is a band 7 to 8a developmental opportunity.
Working Pattern: hours per week
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
For further information please contact: James Rodger, Consultant Physiotherapist on>As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over, staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than, people, cover more than 2, square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
33. National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
34. Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
35. Car lease schemes.
36. The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
37. Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.