First Contact Physiotherapist

The post holder will be

the first point of contact for expert clinical assessment and diagnosis of

patients presenting with MSK conditions in the practice. They will need highly developed differential diagnostic skills to ensure patients are managed safely, efficiently, and effectively.

They will direct the care pathway for their patients autonomously, including assessment and diagnostics, provision of diagnosis, appropriate self-care advice or onward referral as indicated.

They should understand indications for, and limitations of, relevant MSK investigations, and will be confident in explaining their use and implications to patients.

presenting with MSK conditions or symptoms, providing the patient with the

primary assessment, diagnosis and management options for their condition.

reasoning to provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment support patients

who present with complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies

and/or mental health and/or pain management needs.

and specialist x-rays, MRI imaging, ultrasound scans and blood and other

pathology tests. Interpret the results alongside traditional physiotherapeutic

assessment techniques and non-clinical information to aid clinical diagnosis

and decisions on potential treatment options/clinical interventions.

providing direct clinical/physiotherapeutic care for patients with a range of

complex musculo-skeletal conditions and who may have significant other primary

or secondary conditions/multipathologies.

Non-medical prescribing

skills to make decisions about safe and effective patient care in unpredictable

situations, including when there is incomplete/contradictory information.

physiotherapeutic interventions on existing conditions and treatment programmes

e.g. podiatric treatment, drug therapies, etc. Ensuring physiotherapy

interventions are integrated and supportive of the whole treatment aims

promoting a holistic approach to condition management.

MSK pathways within the community or wider healthcare services. Including

referral to the appropriate stage of the pathway and the use of social

prescribing

for the management of the patients journey on their care pathway, acting as the

link for the patient between primary care and other services/professionals.

specialist services. This will include referral to acute and specialist

services such as surgical orthopaedics, rheumatology and neurology, other AHP

services, nursing services and to the primary care medical teams. This requires

advanced knowledge of the role of other specialist health professionals.

related disease and conditions that present as MSK symptoms and to refer

appropriately. When needed accelerate the patients referral to other health

professionals/services.

attain maximum participation in treatment programmes. This will include working

with patients from diverse social background and cultures and understanding how

this will affect treatment proposals and models.

line management options (appropriate for the persons level of activation)

knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage

referral to rehabilitation focused services and social prescribing provision.

the management of musculoskeletal conditions and provide a specialist advisory

service to patients, specialist physiotherapists other specialist healthcare

professionals and members of the primary care team. Including advising GPs on

management of MSK conditions.

management of a condition to patients, relatives, carers and other health

professionals.

diagnostic skills in response to service need.

registration and professional standards. Service/Professional

delivery in-line with service expectations.

proactively working with the primary care team to build robust relationships

and integrate working practices. Attending primary care strategic and practice

level meetings to represent FCP/physiotherapy when appropriate.

MSK and MSK related conditions from primary care to other NHS services that

will direct referrals to other primary care services, community, secondary and

tertiary [specialist] services.

MSK pathways across the primary care network. This may include contributing to

pathways that are not primary MSK pathways, but which have MSK interventions

along the pathway.

strategies for local populations, patient groups and individuals.

active engagement in peer review and embracing evidence-based practice.

healthcare and social care agencies related to MSK conditions and

physiotherapy.

support the maintenance of good clinical governance, manage risk and ensure

patient safety is paramount. Be responsible for identifying and reporting any

risk/clinical governance issues in the FCP service.

for MSK primary care services. Including established clinical, professional and

service standards.

contributes to the achievement of key performance indicators [KPIs] for MSK

primary care services. Identifying where own FCP role is supporting delivery of

KPIs.

development of musculoskeletal physiotherapy and related services across the

healthcare economy.

clinical errors/incidents when appropriate.

training of specialist physiotherapists up-to post graduate level to support

the development of advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge within the

wider physiotherapy workforce.

postgraduate level, for specialist primary care professionals, including GPs in

order for them to develop specialist MSK patient referral and management

provider of mentoring and coaching of specialist clinicians from a range of

disciplines.

practice knowledge and skills through participation in internal and external

development opportunities.

tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the FCP MSK services in collaboration

with the primary care MDT.

practice and national guidelines into own and local FCP MSK service practice.

Use expert knowledge of evidence- based guidelines and national frameworks to

influence the development of FCP services within the primary care team

as appropriate. This may include participation in cross organisational research

and audit programmes.

findings to the primary care team. Providing analysis of local and national

data sets to illustrate service improvements and to promote service change.

range of data sets in order provide statistical reports on outcome measures and

achievement of KPIs for a range of audiences.

guidelines, care protocols, delivery of triage services and referral pathways.

to a range of audiences including patient groups, individual patients and other

primary care team members, including GPs.

and their carers. This will include explaining the diagnosis, prognosis and

treatment choices available to manage multi-pathology and complex conditions.

It will also involve communicating limitations on treatment outcomes and

managing expectations of patients with chronic or life limiting conditions.

We are a large training practice based in a comfortable purpose

built premises only minutes away from Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters

stations.

We are passionate about improving outcomes for patients with

musculoskeletal conditions to improve their physical and mental health.

We provide a weekly chair-based exercise class through the PCN at

the local Tottenham leisure centre with a fitness instructor, to help

deconditioned patients develop baseline mobility and strength to improve their

conditions and reduce their risk of falls with aging.

Our aim is to provide quality services in a caring and friendly

environment and offer a supportive working environment to all members of our

team.

We are keen to support training and personal development and have

a GP with an MSc in Sports Medicine able to perform steroid injections.

Qualifications

Desirable: - - MSc degree in Physiotherapy; - - Completed or working towards a Supplementary Prescribing qualification; - - Non-medical prescribing qualification

Experience

Skills