MSK First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapists

Job summary

Leeds GP Confederation invite applications for qualified MSK First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapists to work on a self-employed basis, the opportunity is to work face to face within multiple PCNs within Leeds, West Yorkshire.

The role is only open to experienced MSK clinicians with FCP sign off, who maintain a high level of CPD and knowledge of current MSK practice, to join our experienced and dynamic clinicians supported by a devoted MSK Professional Lead.

Key responsibilities include first contact assessment of undifferentiated MSK conditions within primary care settings, face to face to provide differential diagnosis, first line management and initiate investigations and onward referrals as clinically reasoned.

Main duties of the job

1. Be the first point of contact for expert clinical assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with MSK conditions in primary care/GP practices using the EA service. This will include patients who present with a range of complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs and underlying pathologies/other primary conditions and maybe via remote access (telephone) or face to face service provision.

2. Receive patients who self-refer (where systems permit) or from a member of reception team or clinical professional within the Leeds GP Confed EA service, and where required refer to other health professionals within the EA service, PCNs or other providers.

3. Use advance clinical practice skills and clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive treatment support to patients who present with complex musculoskeletal conditions and/or multiple pathologies and/or mental health and/or pain management needs

4. Work independently, without in-person day to day supervision, to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for prioritising and managing a caseload of the PCNs Registered Patients whilst liaising with the EA MSK Professional Lead where appropriate

About us

The Leeds GP Confederation has two purposes:

To be a voice for and represent General Practice in the Leeds Health and Care System:

A collective voice for General Practice that will be heard throughout the health and care system

Through representation and active participation in the health & care system to contribute to the setting of strategy and decision making

To hold contracts to enhance access to healthcare across Leeds and to provide a range of services to General Practices:

By providing services and holding contracts that directly support General practice

By having an infrastructure that enables, where appropriate, at scale working for the benefit of general practice and populations

Inclusive transparent governance

Not-for-profit

Details

• Date posted: 09 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £36.30 an hour
• Contract: Locum
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: B0348-26-0041
• Job locations: Leeds GP Confederation, Building 3 WROP Millshaw Lane, Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 0DL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Scope of the Clinical Role

a. effective shared decision-making with a range of first line management options (appropriate for a patients level of activation)

b. assessing levels of Patient Activation to support a patients own level of knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their conditions, ensuring they are able to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions, particularly for those at low levels of activation

c. agreeing with patients appropriate support for self-management through referral to rehabilitation focussed services and wider social prescribing as appropriate

d. designing and implementing plans that facilitate behavioural change, optimise patients physical activity and mobility, support fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and reduce the need for pharmacological interventions

e. utilisation of physiotec exercise program platform for patients treatment programs with supportive SMS.

f. book patients into follow-up or face to face appointments with yourself or another clinician as clinically justified utilising SMS services to communicate these appointments

6. independently recognise where diagnostic tests including routine and specialist x-rays, MRI imaging, ultrasound scans and blood and other pathology tests are required. Interpret the results alongside traditional physiotherapeutic assessment techniques and non-clinical information to aid clinical diagnosis and decisions on potential treatment options/clinical interventions

7. be able to clinically justify referral onto appropriate MSK pathways (e.g. joint injections) or community care spinal treatment service, rehabilitation services or secondary care services such as rheumatology, orthopaedic and neurology.

8. use professional judgement and advanced clinical reasoning skills to make decisions about safe and effective patient care in unpredictable situations, including when there is incomplete/contradictory information

9. demonstrate understanding of the impact of physiotherapeutic interventions on existing conditions and treatment programmes e.g. podiatric treatment, drug therapies, etc. ensuring that physiotherapy interventions are integrated and supportive of the whole treatment aims promoting a holistic approach to condition management

10. recognise potential underlying non-MSK related disease and conditions that present as MSK symptoms and to refer appropriately.

11. work in partnership with the patient at all times to attain maximum participation in treatment programmes. This will include working with patients from diverse social background and cultures and understanding how this will affect treatment proposals and models

12. be accountable for decisions and actions via Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, supported by a professional culture of peer networking/review and engagement in evidence-based practice

Service/Professional Leadership/Consultancy

13. Integrate the FCP role into the wider primary care team, proactively working with the primary care team to build robust relationships and practices where practicable by providing expert advice and source of expertise in the management of musculoskeletal conditions to specialist healthcare professionals and members of the primary care team, including advising GPs on management of MSK conditions

14. Contribute to the development of referral guidelines for MSK and MSK related conditions from primary care to other NHS services that will direct referrals to other primary care services, community, secondary and tertiary [specialist] services through feedback to the MSK Professional Lead

15. Work with the PCN team to support preventative strategies for local populations, patient groups and individuals

16. Active engagement in annual development review processes and peer review, embracing evidence-based practice

17. Contribute to monitoring and review of service standards for MSK primary care services through feedback back on EA service of peers to MSK professional Lead if best practice has not been followed

18. Participate in/support investigations into complaints and clinical errors/incidents when appropriate

Education/Workforce & Self Development

19. Participate in developing education and training of specialist physiotherapists up-to post-graduate level to support the development of advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge within the wider physiotherapy workforce if mutually agreeable

20. Provide ad hoc training and supervision, some of which maybe to postgraduate level, for specialist primary care professionals, including GPs in order for them to develop specialist MSK patient referral and management skills

22. Provide and receive clinical supervision through supportive WhatsApp groups for the EA service

23. Maintain a professional portfolio of advanced clinical practice knowledge and skills through participation in internal and external development opportunities

Research and Evaluation

24. Promote and lead the integration of evidence-based practice and national guidelines into own and local FCP MSK service practice

25. Use expert knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and national frameworks to influence the development of FCP services within the primary care team

26. Lead or participate in research and MDT research projects as appropriate. This may include participation in cross organisational research and audit programmes.

27. Present and disseminate research and clinical audit findings to the primary care team as required.

28. Use audit and research to develop and improve service guidelines, care protocols, delivery of triage services and referral pathways

Communication/Building Networks

29. When opportunities present, take the lead in communicating and influencing across the PCN the benefits of the FCP role in primary care

30. Promote and explain the FCP role and what it can deliver to a range of audiences including patient groups, individual patients and other primary care team members, including GPs

31. Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients and their carers. This will include explaining the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choices available to manage multi-pathology and complex conditions. It will also involve communicating limitations on treatment outcomes and managing expectations of patients with chronic or life limiting conditions

This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of developing organisational and service needs and wherever possible change will follow consultation with the post holder.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).