An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic, expert musculoskeletal clinician with leadership capability to work in the Kings Musculoskeletal Assessment and Triage (MCATS) Service. The post holder will work in an Advanced Practitioner role and carry a caseload of MCATS patients referred from primary care and may also have the opportunity to work within either the Virtual Fracture Clinic or FCP Service in South Southwark. With proven skills in the management of musculoskeletal disorders, the post holder must have excellent clinical communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to teach and develop staff and students of all grades working within the service. The post holder will be encouraged and supported to develop their clinical, teaching, research and managerial skills. The Band 8a Physiotherapy Clinical Leads are responsible for coordination, delivery and governance of the MCATS and MSK Physiotherapy services at Kings. A cohesive team approach is maintained through an established in-service training program and regular staff meetings. Attendance at post registration courses is supported. You will join a team which includes MSK Consultant Physiotherapists, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner Clinical Leads, and a large MSK team working across 3 sites, offering an excellent opportunity to develop your skills within a supportive and friendly environment. Main duties of the job • To be a physiotherapy clinical expert in the management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions for Kings College Hospital. • To provide expert clinical intervention for patients with musculoskeletal problems attending the Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service (MCATS), developing and using advanced clinical practice as required • The postholder may be required to train to work in other related secondary care clinics, virtual fracture clinic or FCP as require • To be responsible for clinical leadership and service development within the physiotherapy musculoskeletal service at Kings College Hospital. • To use expert physiotherapy knowledge skills to provide specialist support and advice to the musculoskeletal team, Orthopaedic consultants, Rheumatologists, Spinal Surgeons, GPs and other healthcare staff, and to manage own caseload of patients with highly complex conditions as an autonomous practitioner. • To ensure a high quality, effective and efficient physiotherapy service in the musculoskeletal outpatient department. • To be a member of the Physiotherapy Department Management team, contributing to planning and policy development in the physiotherapy department, and deputise for the Deputy Head of Physiotherapy as required. About us Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UKs largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team Kings to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. Kings is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyones contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trusts carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Job responsibilities Patient Care • To work at an advanced level in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy by receiving referrals and independently assessing and treating own caseload of patients, ensuring evaluation and progression of treatment programmes to a high standard, and in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist • To act as a first point of contact for patients referred to the MCATS services VFC and/or and/or FCP clinics • In conjunction with orthopaedic surgeons, organise and manage specialist outpatient clinics for patients referred to the VFC • To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care. To ensure a high standard of clinical practice for patients under your management and to support more junior staff to do likewise • To have clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, including those with highly complex and diverse conditions, and prioritise that work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities, using advanced clinical knowledge to underpin decisions e.g. soft tissue injuries, fractures, back pain, neck pain, management of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis • To manage clinical risk within own clinical caseload, and ensure that clinical risk is effectively managed across the outpatient team. • To use advanced clinical assessment and reasoning skills and evidence based knowledge to assess and manage patients with highly complex musculoskeletal conditions • To have knowledge of a wide range of advanced treatment techniques such as manual and manipulative physiotherapy techniques, electrotherapy, taping, acupuncture, exercise therapy, and patient advice and education. • To analyse and interpret clinical and non clinical facts which may be conflicting, and to provide expert and second opinion to the MDT, including peers and Consultants and external organisations • With appropriate training, to request and use results of specialist investigations(e.g. x rays, MRI scans and blood tests) to assist with patient assessment and to plan the most appropriate patient management approach • To recognise boundaries of own advanced practice as it develops and to manage associated clinical risk at all times • To make appropriate referrals to other services and clinicians based on assessment and investigation findings • To ensure effective discharge planning within the team, liaising with other members of the MDT as appropriate, including referrers • To deliver physiotherapy in different locations, according to the requirements of the post e.g. physiotherapy departments, primary care premises, Consultant clinics. To work in some situations, such as primary care premises, as a lone practitioner. The post requires a flexible approach to working and requires the post holder to undertake weekend and evening commitments as required. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential • BSc or recognised postgraduate MSc in Physiotherapy • Registration with the HCPC Desirable • Member of CSP • MSC. In related subject Good assessment skills showing advanced clinical reasoning Essential • In-depth understanding of a broad range of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions • Substantial specialist experience in musculoskeletal disorders at a senior level • Advanced clinical reasoning skills Desirable • In-patient orthopaedic experience Undertaken evidence-based project work • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to process and share highly complex information • Demonstrates leadership attributes and motivational skills