About this role
Job summary
The post holder will provide a specialist physiotherapy role and operate as a team member within the MCAS team for Mersey Care Foundation Trust which will allow for the assessment, diagnosis, and pathway assignation of patients with musculoskeletal conditions. This post will also involve the opportunity to work as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Primary Care in the St Helens role, providing clinical expertise, making decisions about the best course of action for patients' care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions). This will involve seeing patients, without prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis andmanagement plan.The post holder will progress and request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests diagnostic services such as x-rays and blood test, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.
The post holder will refer patients to programmes of supported self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individual's physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.
Main duties of the job
Provide advanced assessment, diagnosis and management of complex musculoskeletal conditions, working with a high level of autonomy.
Act as a First Contact Practitioner, assessing and triaging patients without prior GP assessment and directing them to the most appropriate care pathway.
Make high-level clinical decisions, including requesting and interpreting diagnostic investigations and identifying when onward referral is required.
Deliver person-centred care, supporting self-management, goal setting and early intervention to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on medication.
Streamline musculoskeletal pathways to ensure patients access the right service at the right time, reducing pressure on GP services and secondary care.
Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across primary care and community services to coordinate patient care.
Provide specialist advice, clinical leadership and supervision to other physiotherapy staff and health professionals.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research to support evidence-based practice.
Fulfil education and training responsibilities, including supporting learners and less experienced staff.
Uphold Trust values, promote inclusive, safe care and maintain accurate clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job description Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities:
Clinical
1. The post holder will deliver high level and complex clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment of musculoskeletal conditions including patients with long-term conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs, working with a high level of autonomy.
2. Based on comprehensive assessment, to make high level clinical decisions on the most appropriate care pathway for patients referred to the service through use of specialist knowledge and liaison with other key professionals. This will be informed by the urgency and severity of patient need, patient acuity and dependency, and the most appropriate deployment of resources.
3. To take professional responsibility as a first contact physiotherapist, with high level decision making and clinical reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage patients
4. To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
5. To involve patients in decision making and to support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management.
6. To 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).
7. To demonstrate advanced understanding of the biopsychosocial model of patient care and implement this model in the early intervention phase for patients.
8. To work as a lone practitioner when required and be comfortable with own skills and knowledge.
9. To ensure care is proactive, preventative in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention.
10. To communicate effectively and appropriately with patients complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis.
11. To request diagnostic tests including radiology and pathology following period of training.
12. To use a range of clinical skills which may include: a. Non-medical Independent prescribing.
A) Joint/soft tissue injections
B) B) non-pharmacological solutions
13. To interpret clinical diagnosis and prognosis for patients with complex problems which may include the appropriate recommendation of intervention outside the scope of physiotherapy.
14. To use outcome measures as part of their clinical approach.
15. To provide learning opportunities for the multi professional team within primary care and act as a resource to other professions seeking guidance on the management of musculoskeletal conditions.
16. To exercise professional judgement and manage risk, making, justifying and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete or contradictory information.
17. To manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings.
18. To maintain accurate records.
19. To communicate effectively, using a variety of methods, with all service users, members of the team and those outside the service.
20. To operate as a member of the primary care team and musculoskeletal team, including contributing to leadership, service evaluation/improvement and research activity.
21. To manage and co-ordinate the care that individual patients receive, including through liaising with other members of the MDT and with patients' carers.
22. To contribute to primary care and musculoskeletal team activity, with a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention, including through the delivery of public health advice (e.g. relating to physical activity, weight management and smoking cessation).
23. To contribute to the use of healthcare technologies to optimise the integration of service delivery (across teams, sectors and settings) and patients access and continuity of care.
24. To provide specialist musculoskeletal advice to less experienced physiotherapy staff and other health professionals involved in patient care.
25. To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care.
26. To represent the physiotherapy service on relevant committees and meetings, as a lead physiotherapy clinician, provide input in relation to specialist issues and clinical matters as required.
27. To assist in the development and implementation of innovative practices that are evidence based and influence standards of care.
Education and Development
28. To provide learning opportunities for the multi professional team within primary care and MSK specialities.
29. To work with MDT to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services.
30. To understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service.
31. To conduct teaching and assessment effectively according to a learning plan with supervision from a more experienced colleague.
32. To self-develop through continuous professional development activity.
33. To participate in the delivery of formal education programmes.
34. To demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keep up to date with relevant clinical practice.
35. As clinical supervisor and educator, to design, develop and deliver programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence based practice to peers and less experienced physiotherapy staff.
36. To attend appropriate courses as directed by an individual personal development plan and the needs of the musculoskeletal service and to disseminate this information to colleagues to support best practice.
Research and Audit
37. To contribute to audit and research, identifying areas for development and implementing change.
38. To maintain own CPD by keeping abreast of any new research and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work.
39. To critically evaluate and review literature and to identify where there is a gap in the evidence base to support practice.
40. To generate evidence suitable for presentation at local level and to apply the research evidence base into working practice.
41. To understand the principles of research governance and work to support the research objectives of the service.
42. The post holder will demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users and their carers.
43. The post holder will embrace the core values of the organisation. These principles will recognise the need to: Promote safe practices, value the aims of service users, work in partnership and offer meaningful choice, be optimistic about the possibilities of meaningful change, and value social inclusion.
Responsibilities for all staff:
All post holders will agree to:
1. Commit to the vision of supporting Mersey Care in becoming a leading organisation in the provision of community services, mental health care and learning disability care.
2. Role model the values of the Trust Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respectfulness, Enthusiasm, and Support in all activities and interactions.
3. Challenge the stigma associated with mental health and learning disabilities.
4. Comply with the Duty of Candour, working across professional and organisational boundaries to improve services.
5. Uphold and protect the reputation of the Trust both inside and outside of work, ensuring that actions and behaviours reflect the values and standards of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust at all times.
6. Value the contribution of the patient and service users voice, as well as the views of families and carers.
7. Maintain their specific knowledge base and develop new skills.
8. Observe statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults and children.
9. Actively participate in creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels equally valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
10. Commit to Mersey Cares mission of being an actively anti-racist health care provider and employer.
11. Take responsibility for the accurate and timely collection and recording of data.
12. Operate within organisational codes of practice, comply with all health and safety legislation, organisational policies and operating procedures.
13. Understand and embrace the role of digital technology in the workplace.
14. Comply with the NHS Constitution in relation to staff responsibilities.
15. Support the creation of a positive environment and Restorative Just and Learning Culture, participate in related events, share concerns about safety and quality, and speak up against incivility while taking a collaborative approach to improve civility and respect.
This job description provides an outline of general activities and is not exhaustive. It will be reviewed as the Trusts needs change, in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Completion of an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to demonstrate in practice portfolio experience in core physiotherapy and MSK physiotherapy Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) MSc or equivalent education
Desirable
May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification May hold or be working towards a postgraduate physiotherapy qualification Post graduate qualification in injection therapy Evidence of x-ray, MRI and blood test interpretation
Values Essential
Continuous improvement - committed to making improvements to our services for the benefit of all Accountability - taking ownership to anticipate, develop and deliver high quality care Respect - how we treat others in an inclusive and supportive way Enthusiasm - demonstrate our passion and pride for what we do and how we do it Support - actively supporting others with compassion and courage
Skills Essential
joint / soft tissue injections joint aspirations Demonstrates ability to identify where there is a gap in the evidence base to support practice Presentation skills at local level Demonstrates involvement in research and or the ability to apply the research evidence base into working practice Excellent time management and prioritisation skills Leadership skills Basic IT skills
Knowledge/Experience Essential
Specialist knowledge in a broad range of MSK conditions Post qualification experience in a range of settings including musculoskeletal out -patient setting Post qualification experience in a range of settings including musculoskeletal out -patient setting Experience of teaching and presenting Previous experience in a musculoskeletal triage role Able to apply a high level of knowledge and skills in a clinical setting Evidence of knowledge of audit and research Evidence of supervision and clinical education of students or less experienced staff To demonstrate understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service To demonstrate full understanding of the biopsychosocial model and its implementation To fully understand the role of diagnostics To demonstrate understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation To demonstrate understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of practice To demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve risk management issues according to policy/protocol To follow professional and organisational policies/ procedures relating to performance management
Desirable
Previous experience working as a band 7 in MSK To understand the role of other professionals associated with the treatment of pain and musculoskeletal conditions
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Helens Musculoskeletal Team
O'Hanlon Centre, Peasley Cross Hospital, Marshalls Cross Road
St Helens
WA9 3DE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)