Job summary Job summary We are excited to invite applications from experienced MSK physiotherapists who are 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. Main duties of the job Main duties of the job The role will be based predominantly in Primary Care, within the established FCP team within a PCN. 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, provision of diagnosis, appropriate self-care advice or onward referral as indicated. You should understand indications for, and limitations of, relevant MSK investigations, and will be confident in explaining their use and implications to patients. This role is designed to establish MSK expertise in Primary Care, and as such you will work closely in practices to build excellent working relationships with the PCN team members. You will bring expert MSK knowledge to your PCN, and as such will be a resource to the wider team. About us Turton primary care network was established in 2019 and consists of six practices based geographically together in North Bolton. It is one of nine primary care networks in Bolton. Its total patient population is around 46,000. The network has a budget of over £1 million, part of which comes directly to the network and is managed by Edgworth practice. The network is responsible for joint working across the network on priorities set by NHS England and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board Bolton. This includes developing the general practice workforce through the Additional Roles Re-imbursement Scheme (ARRS). The network has a range of health care professionals working in our practices who are either directly employed by Edgworth medical practice on behalf of the network or on secondment from local NHS Trusts. It is anticipated that more health professionals, including this post will be employed directly by the network. We serve a diverse population including young families and children, working aged people and a high proportion of elderly people. We provide health care to four care homes. The practices are a lovely place to work with friendly and dedicated teams committed to providing the best possible care for their patients. All six practices were rate in their last CQC inspections at least as good in all the domains. Date posted 07 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number A5126-25-0000 Job locations 354 Bolton Road Edgworth Bolton BL7 0DU Job description Job responsibilities Job Title: First Contact MSK Practitioner in Primary Care Team: Turton PCN Band: Band 8a Responsible to: TBC Accountable to: TBC Location/base: The post holder maybe required to travel and work across any number of locations/bases across Turton Primary Care Network Job Purpose The direction of travel in General Practice is to employ an even wider range of health professionals to manage increasing demand. As well as GPs and Nurses, Primary Care teams should now include: Clinical Pharmacists, MSK Practitioners, and Mental Health Practitioners. This multidisciplinary workforce will be fundamental to delivering service transformation, quality care, and keeping patients safe, as well as dealing with the financial challenges. The average GP appointment of 10 minutes does not necessarily provide the required quality for MSK related problems. Routine appointments for common MSK problems can often take longer. An alternative practitioner, with appropriate skills and training, could potentially manage many of these patients. MSK Practitioners in Bolton will offer a first and in some cases, a second contact for patients presenting with Musculoskeletal problems. As part of the wider Primary Care team, they will promote and implement early intervention, avoiding unnecessary medication, referrals and hospital admissions, and support patients to self-care, whenever possible. They will see patients, who would otherwise have taken up a GP appointment. This process will release GPs to work with their more complex workload. The role will mainly work with people who experience a range of MSK related conditions, such as, soft tissue conditions, joint conditions, back/shoulder pain etc. Primary Care MSK Practitioners will have the skills and knowledge to take a history, examine patients and decide on high-quality care which involves early intervention, or a planned system of collaborative care. Job description Job responsibilities Job Title: First Contact MSK Practitioner in Primary Care Team: Turton PCN Band: Band 8a Responsible to: TBC Accountable to: TBC Location/base: The post holder maybe required to travel and work across any number of locations/bases across Turton Primary Care Network Job Purpose The direction of travel in General Practice is to employ an even wider range of health professionals to manage increasing demand. As well as GPs and Nurses, Primary Care teams should now include: Clinical Pharmacists, MSK Practitioners, and Mental Health Practitioners. This multidisciplinary workforce will be fundamental to delivering service transformation, quality care, and keeping patients safe, as well as dealing with the financial challenges. The average GP appointment of 10 minutes does not necessarily provide the required quality for MSK related problems. Routine appointments for common MSK problems can often take longer. An alternative practitioner, with appropriate skills and training, could potentially manage many of these patients. MSK Practitioners in Bolton will offer a first and in some cases, a second contact for patients presenting with Musculoskeletal problems. As part of the wider Primary Care team, they will promote and implement early intervention, avoiding unnecessary medication, referrals and hospital admissions, and support patients to self-care, whenever possible. They will see patients, who would otherwise have taken up a GP appointment. This process will release GPs to work with their more complex workload. The role will mainly work with people who experience a range of MSK related conditions, such as, soft tissue conditions, joint conditions, back/shoulder pain etc. Primary Care MSK Practitioners will have the skills and knowledge to take a history, examine patients and decide on high-quality care which involves early intervention, or a planned system of collaborative care. Person Specification Experience Essential Essential criteria Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical education and CPD HCPC Registration. Completion of FCP Roadmap to Practice Stages 1 and 2 Completion of Level 7 module relevant to area of practice. Desirable Desirable criteria Clinical Educators course Active member of relevant special interest group. Qualifications Essential Essential criteria Significant experience at Band 8a level or above in relevant areas of practice Experience of participation in service improvement Experience of supervising qualified staff Minimum of five years post graduate experience with at least three of these within an MSK field. Desirable Desirable criteria Experience at Band 8a level or above in relevant areas of practice. Post Graduate Experience in a variety of specialities in range of settings. Experience of delivering training relevant to area of practice Experience of Clinical Audit. Qualified in injection therapy, with confidence and experience in this field. Non-medical prescribing. Person Specification Experience Essential Essential criteria Diploma/degree in Physiotherapy Evidence of relevant post graduate clinical education and CPD HCPC Registration. Completion of FCP Roadmap to Practice Stages 1 and 2 Completion of Level 7 module relevant to area of practice. Desirable Desirable criteria Clinical Educators course Active member of relevant special interest group. Qualifications Essential Essential criteria Significant experience at Band 8a level or above in relevant areas of practice Experience of participation in service improvement Experience of supervising qualified staff Minimum of five years post graduate experience with at least three of these within an MSK field. Desirable Desirable criteria Experience at Band 8a level or above in relevant areas of practice. Post Graduate Experience in a variety of specialities in range of settings. Experience of delivering training relevant to area of practice Experience of Clinical Audit. Qualified in injection therapy, with confidence and experience in this field. Non-medical prescribing. 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). 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. 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 Edgworth Medical Practice Ltd Address 354 Bolton Road Edgworth Bolton BL7 0DU Employer's website https://www.edgworthmedicalcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)