First Contact PhysiotherapistNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced First Contact Physiotherapist to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team at Downing Drive Surgery.

As a First Contact Physiotherapist, you will act as the first point of contact for patients presenting with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, advice and management within a primary care setting. Working autonomously, you will help ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, from the most appropriate healthcare professional, reducing the need for GP appointments and improving patient access to specialist MSK care.

This role offers the opportunity to work as part of an established multidisciplinary team alongside GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social prescribers and other healthcare professionals. You will play a key role in supporting patients to manage their own conditions, promoting independence, preventative care and evidence-based practice.

The successful candidate must be HCPC registered and have successfully completed the recognised First Contact Practitioner Roadmap Credentials.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide expert musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis and management for patients presenting with acute, chronic and complex MSK conditions. Acting as an autonomous practitioner, you will undertake clinical assessments, formulate treatment plans, identify red flags, provide rehabilitation advice and guide patients through appropriate treatment pathways.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing and managing a wide range of musculoskeletal presentations.
• Making autonomous clinical decisions using advanced clinical reasoning.
• Requesting and interpreting investigations within scope of practice.
• Referring patients to community, secondary care and specialist services where appropriate.
• Supporting self-management, rehabilitation and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records using SystmOne.
• Contributing to quality improvement initiatives, audits and service development.
• Supporting integrated care pathways and improving patient outcomes.

You will be expected to deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care while helping to reduce unnecessary referrals, investigations and repeat appointments.

Job description

SEE JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.

In summary:

The First Contact Physiotherapist will provide specialist musculoskeletal expertise within a busy GP practice, delivering high-quality, patient-centred care in line with local and national guidance. The post-holder will contribute to the effective management of musculoskeletal services within primary care and support the practice in delivering efficient and accessible healthcare to patients.

The role involves undertaking comprehensive clinical assessments, formulating differential diagnoses, developing management plans and ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate care pathway. The post-holder will utilise advanced clinical reasoning skills to manage patients presenting with a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, including those with complex needs, multiple co-morbidities and long-term conditions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for determining appropriate investigations within their scope of practice, interpreting clinical findings and facilitating referrals to secondary care, community services and other healthcare professionals where required. They will ensure referrals are clinically appropriate and support patients throughout their treatment journey.

A key aspect of the role is promoting self-management and preventative healthcare. The post-holder will provide education, advice and support to patients, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellbeing. This includes advising on exercise, lifestyle modifications, rehabilitation programmes and strategies to improve long-term outcomes.

The First Contact Physiotherapist will work closely with practice clinicians and the wider multidisciplinary team to support integrated care, improve patient pathways and contribute to service development. They will act as a source of specialist musculoskeletal knowledge for colleagues and may provide informal clinical support and advice where appropriate.

The post-holder will maintain contemporaneous and accurate patient records, ensuring compliance with professional standards, information governance requirements and practice policies. They will be expected to participate in clinical governance activities, including audit, quality improvement initiatives, service evaluation and the implementation of best practice.

The role requires effective communication skills, sound clinical judgement and the ability to prioritise workload within a dynamic primary care environment. The post-holder will be expected to maintain professional registration, participate in continuing professional development and keep their clinical knowledge and skills up to date.

The successful candidate will contribute positively to the objectives of the practice by supporting safe, effective and responsive healthcare services, maintaining high professional standards and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and patient-centred care.

About us

Downing Drive Surgery is a well-established GP practice based in Evington, Leicester, committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred healthcare to our diverse local population. We pride ourselves on providing accessible, compassionate and responsive services whilst continuously seeking opportunities to improve patient care and experience.

Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to deliver integrated healthcare services and includes GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, pharmacists, administrative teams and allied healthcare professionals. We believe in supporting innovation, professional development and continuous learning, creating an environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute to service improvement.

As a training practice, we are committed to supporting the development of healthcare professionals at all stages of their careers. We offer a friendly and supportive working environment, regular supervision opportunities and a strong focus on teamwork, wellbeing and professional growth.

Joining Downing Drive Surgery provides an opportunity to make a real difference to patient care while working within a forward-thinking practice committed to high standards and continuous improvement.