Specialist Physiotherapist MSK Assessment and Triage Service (MATS)

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Specialist Physiotherapist MSK Assessment and Triage Service (MATS)

The closing date is 29 March 2026

This is an opportunity for an experienced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist to progress their career into a Specialist role working within an MSK Assessment and Triage Service.

Patients are referred into this service by other health professionals for assessment and treatment of MSK Orthopaedic conditions. This may include ordering and evaluating the results of diagnostic imaging, identifying patients for injection therapy, and referral to secondary care services including trauma and orthopaedics, rheumatology and pain management.

Main duties of the job

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• To provide a high standard of MSK Assessment and Triage within the NCHC MSK team which may also include assessment and referral for consultant led care for Chronic Pain, Rheumatology and Trauma and Orthopaedics.
  
• To provide injection therapy when identified as the appropriate outcome. This training will be provided if necessary.
  
• To assist the Enhanced Scope Practitioners for the MSK Assessment and Triage Service in the running of the Service.
  

About us

MSK Assessment and Triage Service provides care to patients from Norwich, South and West Norfolk.

There are strong links with other NCHC MSK services including MSK First Contact Practitioners, Foot and Ankle Biomechanics , MSK Physiotherapy, ESCAPE classes, Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, and Hand Therapy.

The MSK services all work via a combination of face to face and remote consultations, with MSK MATS currently working from clinics in Norwich, South and West Norfolk. Clinicians will be asked to work across multiple sites.

As a whole, MSK Services promotes continuous professional development and regular supervision in a variety of formats as we recognise the clinical and personal importance of this.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Job responsibilities

1. To have an active role in the assessment of a wide range of musculo-skeletal, chronic pain and rheumatological conditions based on advanced theoretical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuro-anatomy and pathology, often in situations where conflicting evidence and/or complex bio-psychosocial issues are present. To apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to assess and form a diagnosis and ensure progress through the appropriate care pathway.

2. To recognise the most appropriate pathway for patients such as when referral to specialist Orthopaedic, Rheumatology or Pain Management is fully appropriate. To use theoretical and practical knowledge to make recommendations for further management of the condition and assist the patient as far as possible in the referral process. This requires knowledge and understanding of the role of other health professionals, (e.g. psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain clinic, general practitioner).

3. To communicate some highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working within the MSK, pain and rheumatology services/teams and with multidisciplinary colleagues across health and social care sectors to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multidisciplinary care. Making appropriate recommendations for further management and ensuring that the patient is informed.

4. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.

5. To independently or with the Enhanced Scope Practitioner triage referrals and make onward referrals as appropriate. This will involve the coordination of the patients complex pathway of care between healthcare professionals comprising the multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team consists of Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, GPs, Doctors and Consultants in both primary and secondary care and may involve other agencies e.g. social care. Thus, the clinician will be expected to refer on beyond their scope of practice.

6. To undertake comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care. There may be conflicting information to make a judgement on the best course of action to be taken for the management of patients condition.

Please see Job Description for full details.

Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and ability

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• Good knowledge of all aspects of Physiotherapy
  
• Musculoskeletal expertise
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills
  
• Ability to work outside traditional professional boundaries.
  
• High level problem solving
  
• Research skills and experience of involvement in clinical studies
  

Qualifications

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• Diploma or degree in Physiotherapy
  
• Current HCPC registration
  
• Evidence of relevant post graduate courses / CPD
  
• Have or working towards relevant MSc or evidence of academic / intellectual level equivalent to MSc level.
  
• Membership of clinical special interest group
  
• Previous experience of requesting imaging and bloods.
  

Experience

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• Minimum 5 years in specialist Physiotherapy clinical area
  
• Experience of service evaluation and development
  
• Previous experience of teaching / training members of staff
  
• Completion of audits
  
• Experience of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team
  
• Previous experience in a team leadership role
  

Communication
Personal Attributes / Behaviours

• 
  
• Able to work collaboratively within a team
  
• Able to maintain judgement under pressure
  
• Able to work independently
  
• Able to work with others and pass on skills and knowledge
  
• Committed to a successful Physiotherapy/MSK team
  

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Variable

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearpro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern
Reference number

839-7864683-BM

Job locations

Variable

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road