Musculoskeletal Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Job overview

The post holder will demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users’ and their carers whilst embracing the core values of the organisation. These principles will recognise the need to: Promote safe practices Value the aims of service users Work in partnership and offer meaningful choice Be optimistic about the possibilities of meaningful change Value social inclusion

As a result of the post-holder being effective in their role, The Trust would expect to see the following outcomes for the Trust:  Greater number of staff who are able to stay in work or return to work as efficiently as possible via prevention/education and physiotherapy rehabilitation.  Staff who are educated and empowered to take personal responsibility for their own musculoskeletal system. Outcome based interventions that make a difference to how staff feel, who use the service. Delivery of physiotherapy interventions that are based on best practice and audited to ensure clinical effectiveness.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will provide autonomous musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation for Mersey Care employees referred to the Occupational Health & Wellbeing Service, supporting timely fitness‑for‑work advice and safe, sustainable return‑to‑work outcomes.

Key duties include delivery of evidence‑based MSK assessment, formulation of clear and defensible Occupational Health advice and contribution to sickness absence management, phased returns and reasonable adjustments. The role supports managers and HR by advising on functional capability, workplace risk and work sustainability, particularly within physically demanding or safety‑critical roles.

The postholder will maintain accurate clinical records and management reports, work collaboratively with Occupational Health colleagues and wider stakeholders, and contribute to service priorities aimed at reducing MSK‑related sickness absence and improving staff wellbeing. The role operates within Trust governance, confidentiality, and professional standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide a high level of occupational health physiotherapy to the Host Trust employees along with others contracted to receive a service.

Assess, diagnose and formulate treatment plans for staff referred to Occupational Health via self-referral and Occupational health referral with diverse musculoskeletal conditions.

Be responsible for the management of own caseload and autonomous within the clinical setting in the delivery of physiotherapy. Clinical supervision/Leadership from a Band 7 Senior Physiotherapist within the OHW team is available.

A Senior MSK Occupational Health Physiotherapist will primarily triage management referral cases to Occupational Health Physiotherapist(s) as appropriate.

Be able to recognise associated psychosocial contributing factors to musculoskeletal pathology and how to address these factors, referring on when necessary.

Perform comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment of patients referred via self-referral, management referral and referrals from the Occupational Health team. This may also include patients with complex multifactorial musculoskeletal conditions and associated psychosocial  factors. This may also be the first point of contact with this condition.

Deliver preventative education to staff regarding musculoskeletal conditions through one to one and/or group sessions.

Assist in musculoskeletal clinical audits and with the development of the physiotherapy service.

Demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning to assess, analyse and provide a clinical diagnosis and prognosis for individual patients to determine their need for physiotherapy intervention.

Formulate and implement an individualised treatment plan using sound knowledge of evidence-based practice, which may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, electrotherapy, advice, and education to maximise patient recovery and function.

Continually evaluate treatment programmes and readjust when required.

When appropriate identify the need for referral to other medical or healthcare professionals and act upon this.

To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with staff, managers, and employers on the appropriate time to return to work and other activities. This will include the requirement to formulate advisory return to work programmes and other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing in response to a management/employer referral and referrals to other agencies including case conferences as required.

Manage a caseload of patients effectively and efficiently including prioritisation and ongoing management of any waiting list.

Maintain comprehensive clinical records in line with Trust policy and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards of practice.

Be aware of the boundaries of own practice, and to manage the associated clinical risk effectively at all times.

Encourage health promotion within the Trust by example and advice to individual patients.

Maintain good clinical documentation in line with required Trust and professional standards.

Aid the Senior Leadership/Management Team in service development.

Work within and to the guidelines of the trust and the standards and code of practice of the CSP

Partake in telephone triage

Provide reports of the consultation and clinical opinion to relevant colleagues.

Develop and maintain effective communication channels with the multidisciplinary team involved in the Occupational Health Department.

Demonstrate an ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication or may include information about long-term / permanent disabilities or chronic pain. This must be done whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times. This may include imparting unwelcome or disappointing news to them (and any accompanying family)

Use knowledge and understanding of health behaviours and health behaviour change to design and deliver programmes for individuals or small groups. Tackling psychosocial issues to understand obstacles to return to work and develop shared goals and overcome the obstacles.

Articulate effectively the physiotherapeutic perspective on a patient’s condition with medical colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team and advise of the various patient management options available.

Communicate the results of investigations to patients and medical colleagues as appropriate.

Ensure effective and appropriate communication and reporting takes place at all times, both within the Trust and to General Practitioners and other community-based health team members.

Advise staff and employers regarding Display Screen Equipment to prevent musculoskeletal conditions, signposting to the Health & Safety Team and Trust Policy as appropriate.

Attend and actively participate in the Occupational Health Department meetings and wider organisational meetings as appropriate

Initiate and maintain contacts with local and national clinical interest groups appropriate to the occupational health musculoskeletal field.

Assist in organising the efficient day to day running of the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service, liaising with Senior colleagues, Occupational Health Physician, Nurses and Clerical staff.

Help develop and maintain accurate and evaluative patient documentation and systems that facilitate audit and/or research.

Assist with audits of the musculoskeletal service, leading on specific projects as appropriate.

Participate in both professional and clinical supervision.

Participate actively in the in-service training programme of the physiotherapy service and contribute to the education programme of the Occupational Health Department.

To participate in the planning and supervision of student placements.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.

To keep abreast of evidence regarding physiotherapy within occupational health.

Keep updated regarding relevant clinical research issues pertinent to the role.

Ensure equipment used in the course of treatments, equipment used by patients and others is maintained and fit for purpose.

Undertake fitness to attend training assessments and advise Managers whether the employee is capable of performing this task.

Participate in occasional/frequent moderate physical effort, several short/long periods per  shift e.g., moves, manoeuvres clients and/or equipment.