Job summary We are excited to invite applications from experienced MSK physiotherapists seeking to deliver the highest level of clinical care from a general practice setting. The First Contact Practitioner (FCP) model has been designed to support musculoskeletal clinicians in primary care as well as provide a resilient framework for the future of FCP delivery. As a successful candidate, you will need to have excellent communication skills and be able to negotiate and manage conflicting priorities. You will be able to demonstrate inspirational leadership from your previous leadership roles and be able to drive and deliver improved quality and clinical outcomes for patients. The ability to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internally and externally to the NHS is essential as is the need to be resilient, confident, and committed. Full Time/Part time/Flexible Working will be actively encouraged The role will require you to work across all areas in the Trust which may include those that are designated as positive, asymptomatic and negative COVID wards. Evidence of qualifications will be requested at interview and during compliance checks. Main duties of the job The post holder will take a lead role implementing and managing MSK related changes within the PCN and maintaining an effective FCP service. This will include liaising with PCN managers, clinical directors, PCN board and other primary care staff as required. The roles will be based predominantly in Primary Care as part of the established FCP team. You will be the first point of contact for patients with undiagnosed MSK disorders and will need highly developed differential diagnostic skills to ensure patients are managed safely, efficiently, and effectively. You will direct the care pathway for your patients autonomously, including assessment and diagnostics, appropriate self-care advice or onward referral as indicated. You will be familiar with IRMER, which diagnostics are suitable and will be confident in explaining their use and implications to patients. You should have or be currently undertaking Level 7 learning within MSK. This role is designed to further develop MSK expertise in Primary Care, and as such you will work closely in practices to build excellent working relationships, and develop MSK knowledge, across your PCN. As part of your role, you will be expected to provide supervision and education to the wider clinical team, including primary care staff and other FCPs. You will need to have clear evidence of team working and the ability to contribute towards effective and efficient services. About us Choose Well - Choose WWL Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'. WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs. On-Call Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational. Date posted 07 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Per Annum Pro Rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 302-25-6974913SS Job locations Wigan Borough PCNs Wigan Borough Wigan WN1 1XX Job description Job responsibilities Attend and feed back to the PCN at meetings as directed by the PCN board. Promote the FCP service both locally and nationally Be a point of contact for PCN staff for MSK related issues and MSK training. Continually audit their service to ensure best practice Provide musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients presenting to the GP practice as a first point of contact. To act as a source of expertise on the management of complex and general musculoskeletal patients providing an advisory service to patients, relatives, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals and medical staff. To take a major role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients within the speciality who may have complex and or chronic presentation, and to determine clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment indicated. To maintain records as an autonomous practitioner. To undertake a role in the planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluation of the FCP service provided to the patients within the PCN on a day-to-day basis. To educate and train other health professionals, medical staff and students in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. To determine clinical diagnosis and treatment indicated for patients who would normally be seen by a GP. Job description Job responsibilities Attend and feed back to the PCN at meetings as directed by the PCN board. Promote the FCP service both locally and nationally Be a point of contact for PCN staff for MSK related issues and MSK training. Continually audit their service to ensure best practice Provide musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients presenting to the GP practice as a first point of contact. To act as a source of expertise on the management of complex and general musculoskeletal patients providing an advisory service to patients, relatives, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals and medical staff. To take a major role in the advanced assessment and treatment of patients within the speciality who may have complex and or chronic presentation, and to determine clinical diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment indicated. To maintain records as an autonomous practitioner. To undertake a role in the planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluation of the FCP service provided to the patients within the PCN on a day-to-day basis. To educate and train other health professionals, medical staff and students in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. To determine clinical diagnosis and treatment indicated for patients who would normally be seen by a GP. Person Specification Knowledge Essential Evidence of extensive expert professional/clinical knowledge in area Evidence of specialist clinical training and CPD relevant to area of practice Skills Essential Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills Highly developed effective communication and negotiation skills Excellent clinical reasoning and clinical decision making skills Able to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues Desirable Evidence of ability to design, develop and deliver programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence-based practice Experience Essential Have extensive experience working at Band 7 and also relevant experience within MSK specialty at a senior level. Evidence of involvement in the development of programmes of care, protocols and clinical audit Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentoring learners Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy Evidence of successful completion equivalent to Master's Degree Level To have or be working towards a post graduate qualification in independent prescribing and/or injection therapy HCPC professional Council Registration Desirable Member of a relevant special interest group Completed Stage 2 FCP Roadmap to Practice Additional Essential May be exposed to unpleasant working conditions/hazards Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation Able to travel across trust independently May be exposed to distressing and occasional highly distressing and emotional circumstances (discusses prognosis with patients and relatives/carers) Person Specification Knowledge Essential Evidence of extensive expert professional/clinical knowledge in area Evidence of specialist clinical training and CPD relevant to area of practice Skills Essential Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills Highly developed effective communication and negotiation skills Excellent clinical reasoning and clinical decision making skills Able to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues Desirable Evidence of ability to design, develop and deliver programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence-based practice Experience Essential Have extensive experience working at Band 7 and also relevant experience within MSK specialty at a senior level. Evidence of involvement in the development of programmes of care, protocols and clinical audit Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentoring learners Qualifications Essential Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy Evidence of successful completion equivalent to Master's Degree Level To have or be working towards a post graduate qualification in independent prescribing and/or injection therapy HCPC professional Council Registration Desirable Member of a relevant special interest group Completed Stage 2 FCP Roadmap to Practice Additional Essential May be exposed to unpleasant working conditions/hazards Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation Able to travel across trust independently May be exposed to distressing and occasional highly distressing and emotional circumstances (discusses prognosis with patients and relatives/carers) 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Wigan Borough PCNs Wigan Borough Wigan WN1 1XX Employer's website http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)