Lower Limb Advanced Practice Physio & First Contact Practitioner

at  Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

To work autonomously, taking a lead role in providing an expert level of care within MSK, FCP, orthopaedic clinics and physiotherapy, undertaking advanced assessment, diagnosis and therapy for an independent caseload of clients including those presenting with highly complex conditions. To triage referrals to MSK First Point of Contact, from GPs, consultants and other authorised referrers and make onward referral as appropriate. To provide professional and clinical leadership on MSK conditions using expert knowledge and skills within the MSK, FCP, orthopaedics and physiotherapy teams. To provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist making decisions about the best course of action for patients’ care (including in relation to undifferentiated conditions).
This will involve seeing patients, without prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan. To request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information and limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests/diagnostic services such as x-rays and blood tests. To Interpret and act upon investigation results to aid diagnosis and shape the management plans of patients. To deliver programmes of supported patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals’ physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and minimise the need for pharmacological interventions.
To maintain effective communication links with clients, carers and all associated professional practitioners both within and outside the Trust. To complete comprehensive, accurate and legally compliant clinical records. To develop and maintain strong professional relationships and communication links with healthcare professionals, including GPs and Consultants; professional leads, academic staff, managers and client representative groups, in order to enhance the development of services in and outside the Trust. To demonstrate strategic leadership skills by having the ability to lead on translating policy into practice in collaboration with service managers.
This may involve work across organisations. To identify training needs and lead on training at University and multi professional level in order to enhance services within the specialism. To provide learning opportunities to GPs and the wider Primary Care Team, as well as the physiotherapy team and support staff. Clinical Duties To work autonomously in a variety of MSK clinics to assess, diagnose, plan and implement pathways of care for a highly specialist caseload, using an expert level of analytical and judgement skills and a wide breadth and depth of knowledge.
To develop strong links with orthopaedic medical staff to enhance and facilitate patient pathways. To work independently in the absence of the consultant, liaising if appropriate on their return. To make complex decisions involving prolonged periods of intense concentration to determine patient management. To work beyond the Scope of physiotherapy practice in order to diagnose and determine the appropriate care pathway for patients referred to secondary care using the ability to select and order appropriate investigations such as x-rays, blood tests, MRI etc.
and interpret the results related to the condition. To work as a First Contact Practitioner in GP practice to demonstrate highly specialist clinical reasoning and decision-making skills to assess, diagnose and triage MSK patients. To refer patients to other consultants, pain clinic, podiatrists, physiotherapy, other AHPs. To review, reassess and evaluate test results, order further investigations and review and adapt treatment pathways.
To use shared decision making to agree the best pathway of care following patient assessment and working in partnership with patients and their carers, informed by the urgency and severity of patient need, patient acuity and dependency, and the most appropriate deployment of resources. To use advanced negotiation and cognitive skills being aware of the physical and psychological aspects of the patient problem, in situations where conflicting evidence is present and where contentious issues need to be resolved with staff and patients. To be wholly responsible for organising and initiating patient management programmes within the MSK orthopaedic outpatient clinics, including the discharge of patients from MSK secondary care and booking for surgery where appropriate. To remove the boundaries of professions allowing for timely and appropriate interventions, by acting in a consultancy role within the physiotherapy musculoskeletal team and for other healthcare professionals.
Using extended scope skills, expert knowledge and analytical skills to determine, organise and initiate the appropriate pathway for complex patients, including those who may require referral onto secondary care. To provide problem patient sessions and joint assessments for the benefit of patients and to provide learning opportunities for other staff. To provide injection clinics, assessing patients suitability for injection and carrying out treatment. To demonstrate specialist physical skills inclusive of dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills to carry out advanced physiotherapy assessment and interventions including manual physiotherapy techniques and therapeutic handling which involves a high level of sustained physical effort.
To be able to discuss potentially contentious issues with Consultants, GPs and other professional groups using a variety of mediums such as face to face contact, letter writing, presentations etc. Professional Duties To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients. To demonstrate behaviours and attitudes that create a role model within the team. To gain informed consent for all interventions and provide sufficient, understandable information in order that patients can make an informed choice.
To maintain and update clinical professional development in line with research developments, be aware of the level of evidence base pertaining to practice. Keep abreast of professional standards, guidelines and protocols, including relevant NHS policy, that affect clinical practice and service delivery and ensure that this information is reflected in local policy. To be autonomously responsible for maintaining highly specialised clinical skills relevant to musculoskeletal conditions. To provide mentorship and supervision, both formally and informally, to physiotherapy staff and other professionals.
To develop and maintain links with Higher Education Institutes and to have input into undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy modules. To lecture on these modules as appropriate. To contribute to service improvement, planning and organisation of clinical and service-based activity using expert clinical knowledge. To prioritise own clinical caseload, balancing this with Extended Scope Practitioner responsibilities to identify learning needs and lead, continually review and deliver the programme of training for musculoskeletal disorders within the physiotherapy team.
To be a member of a relevant specialist interest group within the profession and to contribute to the development of national standards, guidelines and protocols. To be responsible for acquiring appropriate knowledge in respect of clinical practice through course attendance, experiential learning, reflective practice, independent learning and critical use of research. To a maintain a professional development portfolio in line with requirements for state registration and FCP accreditation with the HEE. To be responsible for maintenance of accurate and contemporaneous electronic and/or written records to include ongoing comprehensive progress and discharge reports to medical referrers and legal and disability agencies.
To maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with departmental and Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act and GDPR. Managerial Duties To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraiser/appraisee and be responsible for complying with a personal development programme. Managing Self To participate in regular supervision. To complete all mandatory training.
To participate annually in identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal. To comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols. To carry out duties with due regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity Policy. To seek advice and support from your Line Manager whenever necessary.
To maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times. To ensure maintenance of Professional Registration. To be a car owner or having consistent access to a suitable vehicle to perform the role satisfactorily. If your post requires you to drive you must possess a valid, current, full driving licence.
Your certificate of motor insurance must show that you are covered for any official business mileage. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of your employment. This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder

Please refer the Job description for details