First Contact Physiotherapist

Thepost-holder is a PCN First Contact Physiotherapist whoacts within their professional boundaries.

A First Contact Physiotherapist operates at anadvanced level of clinical practice with skills to assess, diagnose, treat andmanage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions. Thiswill involve seeing patients, without prior referral from their GP, toestablish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan thus streamliningpathways of care.

A First Contact Physiotherapist worksindependently in clinical practice and does not require day to day supervision.Patients can either self-refer or be referred by the PCNs members.

The post-holder will be an integral part of thegeneral practice team.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)

Work independently, without day-to-daysupervision, to assess, diagnose, triage and manage patientsand when required refer to other healthprofessionals within the PCN.

Develop integrated and tailored care programmesin partnership with patients.

Developing skills relating to independentprescribing, injection therapy and investigation to make professionaljudgements and decisions in unpredictable situations, including when providedwith incomplete or contradictory information. Take responsibility formaking and justifying these decisions.

Manage complex interactions including workingwith patients with psychosocial and mental health needs.

Implementall aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice includingundertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training.

Request and progress investigations (such asx-rays and blood tests) and referrals.

Be accountable for decisions and actions via Health and CareProfessions Council (HCPC) registration.

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous healthrecords.

Receivereferrals and directed patients from triage services and other clinicians.

Reviewthe latest guidance, ensuring the organisation conforms to NICE, CQC...

Beaware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhereto practice policies and procedures on safeguarding adults and safeguarding children.

Participate in the management of patientcomplaints.

Undertake mandatory and induction training

CLICK (Chard, Ilminster and Langport) Primary Care Network (PCN) islocated in South Somerset with 5 GP practices and a diverse population spreadacross town and rural locations. CLICK has a population size of around 50,000patients.

Currently led under the Clinical Director leadership of Dr ChristophKollmeier, the PCN is made up of:

Langport Surgery

The Meadows (Ilminster)

Churchview (Ilminster)

As a PCN we are forward thinking, innovate and driven to deliver the bestpatient care for our population. This includes health population management,and this role ties in with supporting that and tracking the improvements we canmake to patients lives.

In addition to the primary responsibilities,the PCN First Contact Physiotherapist has the following wider responsibilities:

• a.Workacross the multi-disciplinary team to create and evaluate effective andstreamlined clinical pathways and services
• b.Provideleadership and support on MSK clinical and service development across the PCN,alongside learning opportunities for the whole multidisciplinary team withinprimary care
• c.Developrelationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN, supportingthe integration of pathways in primary care
• d.Encouragecollaborative working across the wider health economy and be a key contributorto supporting the development of physiotherapy clinical services across the PCN
• e.Liaisewith secondary and community care services, and secondary and community MSKservices where required, using local social and community interventions asrequired to support the management of patients within the PCN
• f.Supportregional and national research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve theeffectiveness of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) programme. This willinclude communicating outcomes and integrating findings into own and widerservice practice and pathway development
• g.Supportthe delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or costeffectiveness initiatives
• h.Delivertraining, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medicalemergencies
• i.Supportvirtual and remote models of consultation and support, includinge-consultations
• j.Undertakeany tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role,ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner
• k.Dutiesmay vary from time to time without changing the general character of the postor the level of responsibility

• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality
• Flexibility to work outside core office hours
• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet

• Evidence of working autonomously or as part of a team.
• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and Enhanced Services.
• Knowledge of national standards that inform practice (NSF, NICE guidelines).
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people by telephone, email and face to face.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisational skills with the ability to constructively challenge the views and practices of managers and clinicians.
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to another healthcare professional .
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes .
• Experience of working in a primary care setting
• An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationships between individual practices, PCNs and the commissioners
• Good clinical system IT knowledge
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance

• Completed an undergraduate degree level as a physiotherapist
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Has a Masters level qualification or the equivalent specialist knowledge, skills, and experience
• Holds the relevant public liability insurance
• Can demonstrate working at Level 7 capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment) so that they can deliver the primary key responsibilities outlined above

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.