Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner (APP)

• Assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for the management of a complex caseload. You will progress and request investigations when trained to do so (such as x-rays and blood tests) and referrals to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment.
• Develop and make use of your full scope of clinical practice, including skills relating to independent prescribing, injection therapy and investigation when trained to do so.
• Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring to social prescribing when appropriate.
• 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.
• Provide care that is tailored to the individual needs. This would include, appraising the impact of individuals' clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status (including in relation to function, physical activity, mobility and independence).
• Support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.

• Collect, analyse and present data on patient case mix, produce information on patients needing specialist care, metrics of interventions such as auditing Injection therapy , use of prescribing, conversion of secondary care referrals.
• Auditing on complex drug management including prescribing, de- prescribing in chronic widespread musculoskeletal pains coupled with mental health and other co-morbidities.
• Critical analysis of data to draw meaningful recommendations to the Primary Care Network to inform best practice, influence good clinical practice in primary care.
• Support the development and implementation of a training strategy for area of responsibility in collaboration with team leads/clinical academics, and clinical specialists internally and outside the Organisations.
• Participate in ongoing service improvement, evaluation and audit of interventions, outcomes as appropriate to context and management
• Develop relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care.
• Work as part of an MDT in a patient facing role, using your expert knowledge of MSK issues, to create stronger links for wider MSK services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation skills.
• Support research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of our FCP service.
• Streamline the pathway of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures appropriate for onward referral pathways.

• Lead, manage and contribute to service delivery.
• Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately, with patients and carers, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices supporting personalised care.

• Provide feedback and support to other PCN clinical team members on appropriate referral criteria.
• Critically reflect on own practice, and continue to develop your skills.
• Support FCP colleagues in line with Health Education Englands First Contact Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners in Primary Care: (Musculoskeletal). A Roadmap to Practice.
• Be a point of contact for your FCP colleagues to answer clinical queries as and when they present.
• Deliver in-house in service training to your regional FCP team.

Essential

• Current HCPC registration with significant post registration MSK experience (typically 5+ years)
• CSP registered practicing Physiotherapist
• Masters level (Level 7) qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent Level 7 modules and evidence of working at an advanced level of practice
• Completion of the FCP Roadmap (Stage 1 and/or Stage 2)
• Completion of (or active progression toward) advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning training
• Injection therapy training or certification
• Evidence of ongoing CPD aligned to advanced practice standards
• Competence in requesting and interpreting imaging and investigations

Desirable

• Additional Level 7 modules beyond core ACP training
• Independent Prescribing (V300)
• Training in imaging interpretation (e.g., Xray, MRI, ultrasound)
• Teaching, mentoring, or clinical supervision qualifications
• Quality improvement, audit, or leadership training
• Additional specialist MSK or pain management courses
• Research involvement or evidence of academic contribution

Essential

• Experience managing complex and undifferentiated patient presentations
• Proven ability to work autonomously in clinical decision making
• Experience requesting and interpreting diagnostic investigations
• Demonstrated use of advanced clinical reasoning in practice
• Experience delivering personalised care and supported self management
• Evidence of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in safety netting, escalation, and managing clinical risk
• Involvement in service development, pathway improvement, or clinical governance
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting junior staff or students
• Use of audit, quality improvement, or evidence based practice to inform care

Desirable

• Experience working in a GP practice or Primary Care Network
• Delivery of group education or self management programmes
• Involvement in service development, pathway redesign or transformation projects
• Experience supervising students, junior clinicians or MDT colleagues
• Use of audit, research or QI projects to improve clinical outcomes
• Experience managing long term conditions or persistent pain presentations
• Working across community, interface or secondary care MSK services
• Experience with digital health platforms or remote consultations
• Additional specialist skills such as injection therapy or ultrasound
• Experience with digital health or remote consultation platforms