MSK physiotherapist

You will be based in Runcorn across the bases that provide FCP services – Halton Hospital, Halton Healthcare Hub and GP practices. Currently, not all Runcorn GP practices have an FCP working on base, but all FCPs will be a link person with a specific GP practice to help facilitate relationships within the practice team. This combined working means that the post holder is not isolated from colleagues and will work as part of the wider MSKCATS team.

You will be expected to cover GP practices in the Runcorn Primary Care Network if service needs require.

Halton has had a FCP service for over 5 years and an interface service for 15 plus years before that. We have excellent working relationships with our primary and secondary care colleagues as well as the ICB.

We have a long history of providing a high class, forward‑thinking, dynamic service based on the patient‑centred approach. We are looking for highly motivated, confident, experienced MSK physiotherapists with a high level of clinical reasoning skills in the MSK field to join our friendly, supportive team.

Ideally, candidates would have already completed Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Roadmap to Practice and gained the digital badge, but consideration will be given to those who have yet to complete it but show potential. Candidates who have not completed the Roadmap will be expected to attend a Higher Education Institute (HEI) to complete the Roadmap as required.

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• Provide high level assessment of patients with undiagnosed MSK conditions using advanced clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills.
  
• Provide expert advice using a patient‑centred approach and shared decision‑making skills to aid appropriate signposting of patients to services.
  
• Refer appropriately for diagnostic investigations and use advanced clinical reasoning skills in understanding the interventions required and their outcomes.
  
• Provide early supported self‑care advice and advice on community services to aid patient outcomes.
  
• Be an active part of the MDT within the GP practice, attending practice meetings and involved in education of GP practice colleagues.
  
• Be an active part of the MSKCATS team involved in service audits, pathway developments and education of physiotherapy colleagues.
  
• The post holder will be an experienced MSK physiotherapist who works as an autonomous practitioner in Halton General Hospital, community bases and GP practices as required.
  
• Use advanced clinical reasoning and highly developed diagnostic skills during assessment of patients with undiagnosed MSK conditions to diagnose, advise and signpost patients to the most appropriate form of management, whether that be supported self‑care, community programmes, a therapy setting or secondary care. The post holder must recognise red flags and masquerades of MSK conditions and manage the patient appropriately.
  
• Request investigations to aid clinical diagnosis and effective onward management of the patient's condition.
  
• Develop relationships with the GP practice staff and be an active member of the practice MDT, offering advice, guidance, education and support as required.
  
• Supervise less experienced staff and students.
  

WHH holds a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you provided the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship, a minimum set of criteria must be met and not all roles are eligible. You can find more information on the Government website. Please review your eligibility and the eligibility of the role before submitting your application. All advertised roles may close early if there are high numbers of suitable candidates.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience for our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.

Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton, we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.

Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services. Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.

A CQC‑rated "good" organisation with "outstanding" features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.

We employ nearly 5,000 people from over 80 nationalities, striving to be a diverse, inclusive employer and recognised leader in equality. We support flexible working and welcome flexible applications. Proud of our many accreditations, we are embedding an anti‑racist approach in all we do.