Trainee First Contact Physiotherapist: Sponsorship Available

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

An exciting development opportunity for an exceptional candidate, with demonstrable potential, to progress into a Band 8a Advanced Practice First Contact Physiotherapist role. The post is hosted by CNWL and candidates will work within the local PCN. The development programme offers the successful candidate the opportunity, as a Band 7, to successfully complete the associated training package / FCP Portfolio and to work through the competencies for the HEE MSK FCP. Upon successful completion the successful candidate will be promoted to the Band 8a role. There are multiple roles in South Southall and Acton PCN and this is a full time role based either in Southall or Acton area in Ealing.

The first contact physiotherapist will work in the PCN whilst also being part of MSK team. The FCP service in Ealing is well established and provides a high level of training, clinical supervision and support.

An agreed time frame will be agreed during interview for completion. Should the candidate not successfully complete the development package then a role as a substantive, permanent Band 7 Physiotherapist will be offered.

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

 

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the job will be to provide clinical expertise, acting as first-contact physiotherapist and making decisions about the best course of action for patients’ care in the area of musculoskeletal, rheumatological and pain management. This will include screening and assessment ofpatients with undifferentiated conditions to determine that they meet the criteria for self-management, local MSK or community service criteria or to ensure that those with medical needs are rerouted to the appropriate clinician. This will involve face to face, telephone or virtual contact with patients, without prior contact with their GP, in order to establish a rapidand accurate diagnosis and management plan. Onward referral to community or specialist services may be required.

The successful candidate may need to progress and request investigations to facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment regime, understanding the information limitations derived from these and the relative sensitivity and specificity of particular tests diagnostic services such as x-rays and bloodtest, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients.

They will also be expected 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 that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Graduate Diploma Physiotherapy/BSc Physiotherapy + HCPC Registration
  • Relevant post-graduate courses completed or commenced relevant to this post

Desirable

  • May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification/ Injector
  • Teaching qualification or experience

Leadership and Management

Essential

  • Demonstrate understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service
  • Demonstrates understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification / change management experience

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to design, develop and delivers programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence based practice to peers and junior staff

Desirable

  • Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Specialist experience in musculoskeletal out- patients
  • Demonstrates general physiotherapy skills and knowledge in core areas
  • Experience of telephone triage or face to face triage
  • Have been involved in service training evaluation/initiated service change
  • Experience of MDT working
  • Participation in research, outcomes, clinical governance and audit
  • Good communicator
  • Excellent organisational skills and time management
  • Good problem solver
  • Good general background knowledge of orthopaedic, rheumatology and pain conditions and their management.

Desirable

  • Previous experience within a community setting or GP practice
  • Understanding of CBT or pain management approaches

Research and Development

Essential

  • Demonstrates understanding of the principles of research governance

Desirable

  • Research qualification

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).

Closing Date: 12 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.