About this role
Job summary
Leeds GP Confederation invite applications for qualified MSK First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapists to work on a self-employed basis, the opportunity is to work face to face within multiple PCNs within Leeds, West Yorkshire.
The role is only open to experienced MSK clinicians with FCP sign off, who maintain a high level of CPD and knowledge of current MSK practice, to join our experienced and dynamic clinicians supported by a devoted MSK Professional Lead.
Key responsibilities include first contact assessment of undifferentiated MSK conditions within primary care settings, face to face to provide differential diagnosis, first line management and initiate investigations and onward referrals as clinically reasoned.
Main duties of the job
1. Be the first point of contact for expert clinical assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with MSK conditions in primary care/GP practices using the EA service. This will include patients who present with a range of complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs and underlying pathologies/other primary conditions and maybe via remote access (telephone) or face to face service provision.
2. Receive patients who self-refer (where systems permit) or from a member of reception team or clinical professional within the Leeds GP Confed EA service, and where required refer to other health professionals within the EA service, PCNs or other providers.
3. Use advance clinical practice skills and clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive treatment support to patients who present with complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs
4. Work independently, without in-person day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients whilst liaising with the EA MSK Professional Lead where appropriate
About us
The Leeds GP Confederation has two purposes:
To be a voice for and represent General Practice in the Leeds Health and Care System:
A collective voice for General Practice that will be heard throughout the health and care system
Through representation and active participation in the health & care system to contribute to the setting of strategy and decision making
To hold contracts to enhance access to healthcare across Leeds and to provide a range of services to General Practices:
By providing services and holding contracts that directly support General practice
By having an infrastructure that enables, where appropriate, at scale working for the benefit of general practice and populations
Inclusive transparent governance
Not-for-profit
Job description Job responsibilities
Scope of the Clinical Role
1. Be the first point of contact for expert clinical assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with MSK conditions in primary care/GP practices using the EA service. This will include patients who present with a range of complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs and underlying pathologies/other primary conditions and maybe via remote access (telephone) or face to face service provision.
2. Receive patients who self-refer (where systems permit) or from a member of reception team or clinical professional within the Leeds GP Confed EA service, and where required refer to other health professionals within the EA service, PCNs or other providers.
3. Use advance clinical practice skills and clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive treatment support to patients who present with complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs
4. Work independently, without in-person day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients whilst liaising with the EA MSK Professional Lead where appropriate
5. Develop integrated and tailored care programmes in partnership with patients through:a. effective shared decision-making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for a patients level of activation)
b. assessing levels of Patient Activation to support a patients own level of knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their conditions, ensuring they are able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions, particularly for those at low levels of activation
c. agreeing with patients appropriate support for self-management through referral to rehabilitation focussed services and wider social prescribing as appropriate
d. designing and implementing plans that facilitate behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions
e. utilisation of physiotec exercise program platform for patients treatment programs with supportive SMS.
f. book patients into follow-up or face to face appointments with yourself or another clinician as clinically justified utilising SMS services to communicate these appointments
6. independently recognise where diagnostic tests including routine and specialist x-rays, MRI imaging, ultrasound scans and blood and other pathology tests are required. Interpret the results alongside traditional physiotherapeutic assessment techniques and non-clinical information to aid clinical diagnosis and decisions on potential treatment options/clinical interventions
7. be able to clinically justify referral onto appropriate MSK pathways (e.g. joint injections) or community care spinal treatment service, rehabilitation services or secondary care services such as rheumatology, orthopaedic and neurology.
8. use professional judgement and advanced clinical reasoning skills to make decisions about safe and effective patient care in unpredictable situations, including when there is incomplete/contradictory information
9. demonstrate understanding of the impact of physiotherapeutic interventions on existing conditions and treatment programmes e.g. podiatric treatment, drug therapies, etc. ensuring that physiotherapy interventions are integrated and supportive of the whole treatment aims promoting a holistic approach to condition management
10. recognise potential underlying non-MSK related disease and conditions that present as MSK symptoms and to refer appropriately.
11. work in partnership with the patient at all times to attain maximum participation in treatment programmes. This will include working with patients from diverse social background and cultures and understanding how this will affect treatment proposals and models
12. be accountable for decisions and actions via Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice
Service/Professional Leadership/Consultancy
13. Integrate the FCP role into the wider primary care team, proactively working with the primary care team to build robust relationships and practices where practicable by providing expert advice and source of expertise in the management of musculoskeletal conditions to specialist healthcare professionals and members of the primary care team, including advising GPs on management of MSK conditions
14. Contribute to the development of referral guidelines for MSK and MSK related conditions from primary care to other NHS services that will direct referrals to other primary care services, community, secondary and tertiary [specialist] services through feedback to the MSK Professional Lead
15. Work with the PCN team to support preventative strategies for local populations, patient groups and individuals
16. Active engagement in annual development review processes and peer review, embracing evidence-based practice
17. Contribute to monitoring and review of service standards for MSK primary care services through feedback back on EA service of peers to MSK professional Lead if best practice has not been followed
18. Participate in/support investigations into complaints and clinical errors/incidents when appropriate
Education/Workforce & Self Development
19. Participate in developing education and training of specialist physiotherapists up-to post-graduate level to support the development of advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge within the wider physiotherapy workforce if mutually agreeable
20. Provide ad hoc training and supervision, some of which maybe to postgraduate level, for specialist primary care professionals, including GPs in order for them to develop specialist MSK patient referral and management skills
21. Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and mandatory training 22. Provide and receive clinical supervision through supportive WhatsApp groups for the EA service
23. Maintain a professional portfolio of advanced clinical practice knowledge and skills through participation in internal and external development opportunities
Research and Evaluation
24. Promote and lead the integration of evidence-based practice and national guidelines into own and local FCP MSK service practice
25. Use expert knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and national frameworks to influence the development of FCP services within the primary care team
26. Lead or participate in research and MDT research projects as appropriate. This may include participation in cross organisational research and audit programmes.
27. Present and disseminate research and clinical audit findings to the primary care team as required.
28. Use audit and research to develop and improve service guidelines, care protocols, delivery of triage services and referral pathways
Communication/Building Networks
29. When opportunities present, take the lead in communicating and influencing across the PCN the benefits of the FCP role in primary care
30. Promote and explain the FCP role and what it can deliver to a range of audiences including patient groups, individual patients and other primary care team members, including GPs
31. Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and their carers. This will include explaining the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choices available to manage multi-pathology and complex conditions. It will also involve communicating limitations on treatment outcomes and managing expectations of patients with chronic or life limiting conditions
This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of developing organisational and service needs and wherever possible change will follow consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc degree in Physiotherapy or MSc Pre reg degree in Physiotherapy Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration Can demonstrate working at Level 7 [within the ACP framework] capability in MSK related areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment) FCP Roadmap qualified / signed off - either via taught or portfolio route
Desirable
MSc degree in Physiotherapy related area
Analytical skills Essential
Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills Able to understand and analyse complex issues and balance competing priorities in order to make difficult clinical decisions. Support individual patient care by an ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical/ often incomplete information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
Desirable
Evidence of working across organisational boundaries within health and social care
Experience Essential
Experience of unsupervised independent diagnosis and management of varied MSK conditions in primary care Experience in applying the FCP physiotherapy process to include MSK assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialized MSK treatment Working knowledge of Microsoft and GPIT systems, alongside prescribing data monitoring systems Experience of contributing to and service delivery/evolving evidence led practice and delivery in a changing environment
Desirable
Working towards advanced clinical practitioner status Previous supervisory experience Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders Cognitive behavioural and motivational interviewing approaches / skills Ability to demonstrate leadership when introducing change
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 Leeds GP Confederation
Address Leeds GP Confederation
Building 3 WROP Millshaw Lane
Morley
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS11 0DL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.leedsgpconfederation.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)