This is an exciting new role where you will work in portfolio as a First Contact Practitioner and as an AP in Rheumatology, fully integrated into the Rheumatology service at Musgrove Park Hospital. Your job plan will include a day per week (20%) of ring-fenced development time, including supporting the FCP team and countywide MSk services, improvement work and to develop the rheumatology pathways in Somerset Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

As a First Contact Practitioner you will be working in primary care with an undifferentiated caseload providing MSk triage and onward referral as appropriate. You will take an active role in leading the FCPs for a PCN and contribute to the development of the service model in Somerset. You will already be an accredited FCP or will be working towards this recognition.

The second element of the role will be as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist working with the Rheumatology team.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will work in an AP portfolio role, supporting the delivery of a comprehensive service across in various clinical settings, spanning the patient pathway from primary to secondary care. The role will need to ensure there are robust and appropriate key outcome measures and governance processes in place.

The role has 4 key functions:

Clinical

Education

Research and Audit

Service Development

The post holder must be able to clearly demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills at an advanced level within MSK. They will practice autonomously and also within a defined multidisciplinary team in accordance with local guidelines and protocols. The clinical component of this position would be within a first contact practitioner role, for which the post holder would be expected to maintain the relevant knowledge and skills. Working as an autonomous clinician within rheumatology secondary care including an initial history taking, clinical assessment, treatment modification and evaluation of care for patients.

The leadership element of this role will include the clinical and strategic leadership for the FCP and Rheumatology services, including the NHS Long-term plan, and to be responsible for safety, quality, and training and clinical governance agendas to support the MSK and Rheumatology Team.

• Provide clinical leadership to staff working with rheumatology patients to ensure safe and effective delivery of clinical interventions.
• Support the management of patients locally, escalating to secondary care for clinical intervention when appropriate.
• Ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time and assist early identification of patients with inflammatory disease. Managing those with inflammatory disease is complex and you will be required to facilitate care and referrals between all providers across the pathway.
• Develop and foster productive relationships with local and clinical stakeholders including: Rheumatology consultants, GPs, secondary care and other clinically important contacts.
• Facilitate and initiate care and management for patients and provide expert clinical advice and support for people with inflammatory disease and to act as an expert resource for healthcare professionals across the integrated clinical pathway.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills as they deliver a professional approach to the provision of high quality care.
• Lead on the development and delivery of education for primary care staff focusing on early identification, biopsychosocial assessment, referral pathways and appropriate first line management of Rheumatological conditions, to promote more efficient and effective use of SFT services and resources.

Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential

• Degree/diploma level education leading to Registration by the Health Professions Council (UK) as a Physiotherapist
• Evidence of relevant MSK/ Rheumatology post-graduate qualification/training at Masters level
• Accreditation against, or working towards, the HEE roadmap for FCP
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• MSc or equivalent- level 7 academic evidence
• Able to demonstrate knowledge and skills against the 4 pillars of advanced practice
• Non-medical prescribing/ CSI qualification

Knowledge Essential

• Detailed and up-to-date knowledge of inflammatory presentations
• Knowledge of new ideas and theories in orthopaedic medicine
• Relevant and comprehensive evidence of Life Long Learning and post-graduation training
• Evidence of research and audit participation and an understanding of the process involved.
• Good understanding of the NHS framework and government policy.

Experience Essential

• Extensive reflective practice in physiotherapy including specialist musculoskeletal management and as an advanced physiotherapist.
• Wide experience of a range of Rheumatological conditions Experience of primary/secondary/tertiary care
• Evidence of developing protocols and pathways of care in the management of musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Desirable

• Evidence of presenting lectures at local and national level

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Mastery / fluency of multiple approach to rheumatology pathologies and a good understanding of medical and alternative approaches
• Clarity in explaining ideas
• Able to develop rapport with staff including consultants, trust management and patients
• Able to demonstrate the advanced decision making / clinical reasoning skill in Rheumatology through the analysis and interpretation of the clinical examination and investigations
• Ability to dictate clinical records concisely and maintain records concisely within legal framework
• Ability to cope with potentially distressing situations such as imparting unwelcome news re rehabilitation prospects and leading change in workforce practice
• Responsible for own learning
• Ability to work without supervision
• Excellent presentation skills
• Basic word processing skills
• Car driver with a valid licence

Communication Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills

Other Essential

• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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