First Contact Physiotherapist

Job summary

First contact physiotherapists operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, with skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions. This will involve seeing patients, without prior referral from their GP, to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan, thus streamlining pathways of care. They work independently in clinical practice and do not require day to day supervision.

Main duties of the job

We recognise the importance of FCPs in Primary Care and the key role that they have in providing quick access to expert diagnosis and treatment, overall improving patient experience and reducing GP workload pressures. You will be delivering a range of health interventions at Practice level using expert triage, assessment and diagnosis to determine which clinical pathway will be most suitable for the patient. You will be the first point of contact, instead of a GP, for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions who need clinical assessment, diagnosis and management. Clinical management would be evidence-based; through advice on self-management, exercise therapy, and pharmacological and injection therapy (if this falls within your competency), or onward referral to secondary care.

The FCP service plays a crucial role in our general practices and is of upmost importance to our local patient population. It serves as a cornerstone in our pursuit of enhancing health outcomes.

For comprehensive information regarding the job, please refer to the full job description before applying.

Experience of primary care referral pathways are preferred.