Advanced First Contact Physiotherapist and Team LeadNHS

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.

Job description

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.

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.