About this role
Job summary
The post holder will work as an autonomous Advanced First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP), providing expert MSK assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management as a first point of contact for patients, including those with undifferentiated or complex presentations, independently determining appropriate management and onward referral pathways without prior GP consultation.
The role requires clinical leadership and service management for the FCP team, supporting effective day-to-day delivery, clinical governance, workforce and professional development, quality improvement and service development. The post holder will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, GP practices, professional leads, primary care management and wider system partners to optimise patient pathways, improve outcomes, demonstrate service impact and contribute to contractual requirements, quality standards and key performance indicators.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
Act as the first point of contact for expert MSK assessment, diagnosis and clinical management within a primary care caseload. Apply advanced clinical reasoning and specialist MSK knowledge and skills to support complex clinical decision-making. Provide expert clinical support and guidance to FCPs and other primary care clinicians in day-to-day practice. Leadership / Management
Provide clinical and operational support to Quay Healthcare and the 13 GP practice teams, contributing to effective day-to-day service delivery. Support the education, development and clinical progression of the FCP team. Work with Quay Healthcare management to optimise FCP service delivery through service analysis, quality improvement and implementation of improvement strategies. Contribute to achieving PCN KPIs and service objectives while supporting integration across primary care, Tier 2 and secondary care pathways. Identify opportunities to improve patient pathways, service efficiency and collaborative working across the wider healthcare system.
About us
Quay Primary Healthcare is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established by Warrington GPs. It supports the delivery of additional roles to primary care, working across 13 GP practices in three PCNs.
We are unable to provide Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for overseas applicants to work in the UK.
Job description Job responsibilities
Scope of the Role
Act as the primary point of contact for patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions within primary care, providing expert assessment, diagnosis and management of a wide range of presentations, including complex and undifferentiated conditions.
Deliver advanced clinical decision-making to support timely access to appropriate treatment, investigations and onward referral where required.
Facilitate effective communication and coordination across primary, community, acute, specialist and social care services to ensure seamless patient pathways.
Provide clinical leadership and management duties to support the development and delivery of high-quality MSK services across Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Promote understanding and demonstrate the value and impact of the FCP model on patient outcomes, service delivery and referral patterns.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with healthcare providers, partner organisations, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations and patient groups.
Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit, research and evaluation activities to support evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
Monitor, evaluate and communicate service outcomes and performance measures to stakeholders and senior management teams.
Clinical Responsibilities
Provide expert first-contact assessment, diagnosis and management for patients presenting with musculoskeletal symptoms and conditions.
Utilise advanced clinical reasoning and assessment skills to manage patients with complex MSK presentations, multiple comorbidities, persistent pain and associated psychosocial factors.
Independently determine appropriate investigations, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests, and interpret results to support clinical decision-making.
Manage a clinical caseload autonomously, maintaining accountability for all clinical decisions and interventions.
Identify and appropriately manage red flags, serious pathology and non-MSK conditions, ensuring effective safety-netting and escalation where required.
Refer patients appropriately to specialist services, including orthopaedics, rheumatology, neurology, pain services, rehabilitation services and other healthcare professionals.
Support patients to self-manage their conditions through education, rehabilitation and referral to community-based support services, including social prescribing opportunities.
Undertake advanced clinical interventions within scope of practice and competency, which may include non-medical prescribing and injection therapy where appropriately qualified.
Service Leadership, Professional Practice and Consultancy
Provide clinical leadership for the development and delivery of FCP and MSK services across the PCN.
Contribute to the strategic development, implementation and review of MSK pathways, referral guidance and models of care.
Promote integrated multidisciplinary working across primary, community and secondary care services.
Lead or contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, productivity and service efficiency.
Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and governance frameworks that promote quality, safety and effective risk management.
Monitor service performance against agreed objectives, standards and KPIs, identifying opportunities for improvement where required.
Represent the FCP service at internal and external meetings, professional forums and system-wide initiatives.
Participate in the investigation and management of incidents, complaints and clinical governance matters as required.
Education and Workforce Development
Provide education, training and specialist advice to GPs, primary care professionals and multidisciplinary colleagues to support effective MSK assessment, referral and management.
Contribute to clinical supervision, mentorship and professional development of FCPs and other healthcare professionals.
Maintain and demonstrate advanced clinical competence through continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
Support workforce development initiatives by identifying skills gaps and contributing to workforce planning across the PCN and wider MSK workforce.
Communication and Partnership Working
Act as an ambassador for the FCP service, promoting the role and its benefits across primary care and wider healthcare systems.
Communicate highly complex and sensitive clinical information effectively with patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams.
Develop and maintain productive relationships with clinicians, managers, commissioners and partner organisations to support integrated service delivery.
Influence and support service development through effective stakeholder engagement, negotiation and change management.
Contribute to the dissemination of service improvements, clinical outcomes and best practice across local, regional and national networks.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge & Competencies Essential
Excellent written communication skills. Excellent IT skills in Microsoft Office applications. Able to work with and influence other grades of staff and professions Ability to use own initiative. Excellent organisational skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to prioritise workload, work accurately under pressure, and meet deadlines. Ability to problem solve and think laterally. Good all-round clinical knowledge and practical clinical skills. Knowledge of national guidance . Demonstrated commitment to CPD. Strict adherence to patient confidentiality legislation. Responds well to constructive feedback. Empathetic & sensitive to patients & members of staff. Deals with patients & staff with honesty & integrity. Ability to work flexibly and reliably. Ability to travel to study days/other work locations using own or public transport.
Desirable
Ability to develop services in designated area. Teaching and tutoring skills. Ability to affect and manage change with an ability to motivate others. Team building skills. Ability to manage time, people, and resources to deliver outcomes. Identifies and manages risk.
Qualifications Essential
HCPC Registration Completion of an appropriate level 7 MSc in Advanced Clinical or Physiotherapy Practice or equivalent.
Desirable
M-Level leadership module. Completion of M-level post-graduate non-medical prescribing course. Completion of M-level post-graduate Injection Therapy course.
Experience Essential
Evidence of working in an Advanced practice role, or in an experienced senior role, working towards an Advanced Practice role, as a First Contact Practitioner, or in other MSK or Orthopaedic services. Evidence of managing patients with acute, chronic and complex MSK presentations holistically, with acknowledgement of comorbidities, medical health, mental health, pharmacological management and social environment. Evidence of an extensive role in the clinical education and supervision of less experienced staff, students, and assistants, including conducting appraisals Experience of and direct involvement in redesign within a service. Experience in delivering training and supervising others. Audit and/or practice research experience Experience of collaborative working in multidisciplinary settings. Experience of working through change in the workplace and recognition of the impact of change on behaviours and processes.
Desirable
Project management Experience of policy, guideline, and service development Risk management Staff management
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 Quay Primary Healthcare CIC
Address Unit 12 Guardian Point
Guardian Street
Warrington
WA5 1AU
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://quayhealthcare.org/ (Opens in a new tab)