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First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapist
The closing date is 01 September 2025
We have an exciting opportunity for an advanced MSK band 7First contact Physiotherapist (0.6 wte) to join our friendly, supportive andsuccessful CDIMS MSK team in County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust,one of the largest intergrated health care trusts in the country.
This post is based with the Sedgefield PCN and the postholder will work within GP practices in Sedgefield. MSK patients will be carenavigated to the FCP caseload for MSK evidenced based assessment andtreatments. You will be supported by an 8a FCP physiotherapist within SedgefieldPCN, together with the MDTeam at the practices.
The post holder will have opportunties for clinical, serviceimprovement and leadership development.
The post holder will work within the PCN team andhave responsibility for the assessment and management of a caseload of patientswith musculoskeletal disorders.
Main duties of the job
The post holder willwork within the PCN team and have responsibility for the assessment andmanagement of a caseload of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Thecaseload will include patients with acute conditions, under 3 months historywith potential comorbidities and multi-factorial needs.
CDIMS physiotherapy team has a strong supportive culture forpersonal and professional development, clinical/ pastoral supervision structureand leadership opportunities. We committo our employees wellbeing though agile working, inservice training and CPDfunding. Within our supervision structure the post holder will be supported byan 8a FCP physiotherapist for day to day clinical mentorship, regular supervisionand an appraisal framework.
The post holder will be supported by a team of FCPs fromother regions with Co Durham, ESPs (Upper limb, Lower limb, Trauma,Rheumatology, Women's health and Spinal) within the MSK department togetherwith the operational and governance leads.
There is opportunities to be involved withservice evaluation, transformation, research, audit, pathway development andquality improvement projects within the role.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two yearsof experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to considersponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria andhave a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job responsibilities
As a advanced MSK autonomous FCP physiotherapist in CDIMS (Co Durham Integrated Musculoskeletal service), you will be providing evidencebased assessment, clinically reasoned treatment, advice and rehabilitation ofpatients with a wide range of acute MSK conditions. You will independentlymanage a caseload of patients from primary care care navigation. You will co-ordinate rehabilitation followinga shared decision with your patients to suit their individual needs. Initialassessments are conducted on the telephone with scope for face to face urgentsame day assessments as required or within a week.
The post holder will work as part of the FCP physiotherapyteam within CDIMS, and will have access to specialist clinical advice from ESPstaff. This includes upper limb, lower limb, trauma, hands, spinal, andrheumatology and women's health ESPs. You will also be supported by governanceand operational leads.
The post holder will accept clinical responsibility of adesignated caseload and organise effectively with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.
The post holder will have clinical support from an 8a FCPwho has option to refer for imaging for patients on your caseload followingdiscussion. The post holder will be expected to provide shadowing opportunitiesfor students and staff as required. Full student supervision training can beprovided via local universities for student mentoring if this is required,together with support on site until familiar with processes.
CDIMS has a robust intranet physiotherapy site which isconstantly developing which provides guidance on all local MSK pathways,protocols and evidence based leaflets for your use as a resource.
The post holder can be considered for injection therapy as adevelopment opportunity ( if not already qualified). Many CDIMS band 7physiotherapists & FCPs have injection skills, and are available for casediscussions.
The Post holders named FCP supervisor will support yourpersonal development plan and the appraisal framework. CDDFT support protectedsupervision time which is led by the supervisee for your individual needs.Pastoral support is also provided within this structure or alternativearrangement can be made to suit personal circumstances.
Shadowing and training is available throughout the fullservice with consultants, A&E, plastics, FCPs in GP practices, ESPs in allspecialities. This is arranged within your personal development plan. Thedepartment runs In-service training sessions together with access to learningon e -learning for health. External courses can be accessed from CPD personalbudgets as required.
CDIMS use SystmOne or EMIS for clinical note keeping -training can be provided to suit individual needs. Test patients and guides areavailable for staff unfamiliar with this System within the induction program.CDDFT provide a full induction program which includes mandatory trainingtogether with a local physiotherapy induction tailored to your needs. Trainingwill also be provided with all CDDFT ICT programs as required. The post holderwill be provided with a laptop.
All physiotherapy staff have access to rehabmypatientprogram for individualised exercise prescriptions for patients, together withevidenced based leaflets on our intranet produced by the teams special interestgroups. These can be accessed in paper form or electronic versions according topatients individual needs.
The post holder will have opportunities to developleadership skills. We promotes all staff to be involved with qualityimprovement projects and promotes future career opportunities. New ideas arealways welcome to promote efficiency and quality for our patients at CDDFT.
The department has a track record for staffwellbeing support following all local CDDFT guidance. The post holder will haveaccess to a well-being hub which includes support telephone numbers and you canbe invited to the North East NHS outdoor wellbeing group. The NENC ICS alsoprovide a well being hub which all our staff have access to, which providesvarious proactive help and support solutions depending on needs.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Able to travel independently to fulfil duties of this post
* FCP roadmap
Experience
* Significant experience OP physiotherapy in all MSK fields
* Comprehensive experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology and pain management within the NHS setting
* Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and positively implement change
* Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings
* Significant experience OP physiotherapy in all MSK fields
* Comprehensive experience including core competencies within musculoskeletal, neurology and pain management within the NHS setting
* Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and positively implement change
* Evidence of communication skills within a wide variety of settings
Qualifications
* BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent
* Continuing Professional Development Diary including evidence of reflective practice, post grad training to modular masters level and clinical experience
* Recognised relevant academic qualification in relation to MSK conditions
* Injection therapy competent( MSc level training)
* An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing
* Appropriate post graduate MSK training to MSc (or equivalent) level
Statutory Registration
* HCPC registered
* CSP membership
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Up to date knowledge of professional practice and new research in management of MSK
* An understanding of legal responsibilities within the profession
* Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner
* Ability to organise and prioritise. Clear ability to manage waiting list pressures.
* Ability to maintain high levels of concentration and analysis of presenting symptoms from patients
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
* Presentational skills
* Innovative approach to working life
* Able to use own initiative appropriately to enhance service delivery
* Knowledge, evidence and application of audit and research
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum, pro rata
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