# Specialist Musculoskeletal Practitioner and First Contact Practitioner > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/specialist-musculoskeletal-practitioner-and-first-contact-practitioner/08e9be35-62cb-4e78-9000-7c3a51946a9e - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/specialist-musculoskeletal-practitioner-and-first-contact-practitioner/08e9be35-62cb-4e78-9000-7c3a51946a9e.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** Prescot - **Region:** North West - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Nurse practitioner - **Grade:** Band 7 - **Salary:** £49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata - **Contract type:** Permanent: 2 x role available: Knowsley 0.64 WTE, St Helens 1.0 WTE, both roles may require cross site working. - **Employment type:** Full time, Part time, 37.5 hours per week (Full time - 37.5 hours per week) - **Closing date:** 2026-08-16T22:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-08-06T08:21:00.521Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Merseyside/St_Helens/Mersey_Care_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Physiotherapy/Physiotherapy-v8167950 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8167950?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview The post holder will provide a specialist physiotherapy role and operate as a team member within the MCAS team for Mersey Care Foundation Trust which will allow for the assessment, diagnosis, and pathway assignation of patients with musculoskeletal conditions. This post will also involve the opportunity to work as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Primary Care in the St Helens role, providing clinical expertise, 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.  The post holder will 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 blood test, and interpret and act on results to aid diagnosis and the management plans of patients. The post holder will refer patients to programmes of supported self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individual’s physical activity, mobility, fulfilment of personal goals and independence and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions. ### Main duties of the job Provide advanced assessment, diagnosis and management of complex musculoskeletal conditions, working with a high level of autonomy. Act as a First Contact Practitioner, assessing and triaging patients without prior GP assessment and directing them to the most appropriate care pathway. Make high‑level clinical decisions, including requesting and interpreting diagnostic investigations and identifying when onward referral is required. Deliver person‑centred care, supporting self‑management, goal setting and early intervention to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on medication. Streamline musculoskeletal pathways to ensure patients access the right service at the right time, reducing pressure on GP services and secondary care. Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across primary care and community services to coordinate patient care. Provide specialist advice, clinical leadership and supervision to other physiotherapy staff and health professionals. Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research to support evidence‑based practice. Fulfil education and training responsibilities, including supporting learners and less experienced staff. Uphold Trust values, promote inclusive, safe care and maintain accurate clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities Duties and responsibilities: Clinical - The post holder will deliver high level and complex clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis and initial treatment of musculoskeletal conditions including patients with long-term conditions, co-morbidities and multi-factorial needs, working with a high level of autonomy. - Based on comprehensive assessment, to make high level clinical decisions on the most appropriate care pathway for patients referred to the service through use of specialist knowledge and liaison with other key professionals. This will be informed by the urgency and severity of patient need, patient acuity and dependency, and the most appropriate deployment of resources. - To take professional responsibility as a first contact physiotherapist, with high level decision making and clinical reasoning skills to assess, diagnose and triage patients - To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care. - To involve patients in decision making and to support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management. - To provide care that is tailored to the individual needs. This would include, appraising the impact of individuals' clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status (including in relation to function, physical activity, mobility and independence). - To demonstrate advanced understanding of the biopsychosocial model of patient care and implement this model in the early intervention phase for patients. - To work as a lone practitioner when required and be comfortable with own skills and knowledge. - To ensure care is proactive, preventative in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention. - To communicate effectively and appropriately with patient’s complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology and prognosis. - To request diagnostic tests including radiology and pathology following period of training. - To use a range of clinical skills which may include: a. Non-medical Independent prescribing. A)   Joint/soft tissue injections B)   B) non-pharmacological solutions - To interpret clinical diagnosis and prognosis for patients with complex problems which may include the appropriate recommendation of intervention outside the scope of physiotherapy. - To use outcome measures as part of their clinical approach. - To provide learning opportunities for the multi professional team within primary care and act as a resource to other professions seeking guidance on the management of musculoskeletal conditions. - To exercise professional judgement and manage risk, making, justifying and taking responsibility for decisions in unpredictable situations, including in the context of incomplete or contradictory information. - To manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings. - To maintain accurate records. - To communicate effectively, using a variety of methods, with all service users, members of the team and those outside the service. - To operate as a member of the primary care team and musculoskeletal team, including contributing to leadership, service evaluation/improvement and research activity. - To manage and co-ordinate the care that individual patients receive, including through liaising with other members of the MDT and with patients' carers. - To contribute to primary care and musculoskeletal team activity, with a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention, including through the delivery of public health advice (e.g. relating to physical activity, weight management and smoking cessation). - To contribute to the use of healthcare technologies to optimise the integration of service delivery (across teams, sectors and settings) and patients’ access and continuity of care. - To provide specialist musculoskeletal advice to less experienced physiotherapy staff and other health professionals involved in patient care. - To streamline pathways of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care. - To represent the physiotherapy service on relevant committees and meetings, as a lead physiotherapy clinician, provide input in relation to specialist issues and clinical matters as required. - To assist in the development and implementation of innovative practices that are evidence based and influence standards of care. Education and Development - To provide learning opportunities for the multi professional team within primary care and MSK specialities. - To work with MDT to develop more effective and streamlined clinical pathways and services. - To understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service. - To conduct teaching and assessment effectively according to a learning plan with supervision from a more experienced colleague. - To self-develop through continuous professional development activity. - To participate in the delivery of formal education programmes. - To demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keep up to date with relevant clinical practice. - As clinical supervisor and educator, to design, develop and deliver programmes of specialised learning in line with evidence based practice to peers and less experienced physiotherapy staff. - To attend appropriate courses as directed by an individual personal development plan and the needs of the musculoskeletal service and to disseminate this information to colleagues to support best practice. Research and Audit - To contribute to audit and research, identifying areas for development and implementing change. - To maintain own CPD by keeping abreast of any new research and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work. - To critically evaluate and review literature and to identify where there is a gap in the evidence base to support practice. - To generate evidence suitable for presentation at local level and to apply the research evidence base into working practice. - To understand the principles of research governance and work to support the research objectives of the service. - The post holder will demonstrate an attitude which respects and values service users’ and their carers. - The post holder will embrace 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, and value social inclusion. Responsibilities for all staff: All post holders will agree to: - Commit to the vision of supporting Mersey Care in becoming a leading organisation in the provision of community services, mental health care and learning disability care. - Role model the values of the Trust – Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respectfulness, Enthusiasm, and Support – in all activities and interactions. - Challenge the stigma associated with mental health and learning disabilities. - Comply with the Duty of Candour, working across professional and organisational boundaries to improve services. - Uphold and protect the reputation of the Trust both inside and outside of work, ensuring that actions and behaviours reflect the values and standards of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust at all times. - Value the contribution of the patient and service user’s voice, as well as the views of families and carers. - Maintain their specific knowledge base and develop new skills. - Observe statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults and children. - Actively participate in creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels equally valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. - Commit to Mersey Care’s mission of being an actively anti-racist health care provider and employer. - Take responsibility for the accurate and timely collection and recording of data. - Operate within organisational codes of practice, comply with all health and safety legislation, organisational policies and operating procedures. - Understand and embrace the role of digital technology in the workplace. - Comply with the NHS Constitution in relation to staff responsibilities. - Support the creation of a positive environment and Restorative Just and Learning Culture, participate in related events, share concerns about safety and quality, and speak up against incivility while taking a collaborative approach to improve civility and respect. This job description provides an outline of general activities and is not exhaustive. It will be reviewed as the Trust’s needs change, in consultation with the post holder. ### Applicant requirements You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. ## Person Specification ### Skills **Essential** - joint / soft tissue injections - joint aspirations - Demonstrates ability to identify where there is a gap in the evidence base to support practice - Presentation skills at local level - Demonstrates involvement in research and or the ability to apply the research evidence base into working practice - Excellent time management and prioritisation skills - Leadership skills - Basic IT skills ### Values **Essential** - Continuous improvement – committed to making improvements to our services for the benefit of all - Accountability – taking ownership to anticipate, develop and deliver high quality care - Respect – how we treat others in an inclusive and supportive way - Enthusiasm – demonstrate our passion and pride for what we do and how we do it - Support – actively supporting others with compassion and courage ### Qualifications **Essential** - Completion of an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council - to demonstrate in practice portfolio experience in core physiotherapy and MSK physiotherapy - Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) - MSc or equivalent education **Desirable** - May hold or be working towards a prescribing qualification - May hold or be working towards a postgraduate physiotherapy qualification - Post graduate qualification in injection therapy - Evidence of x-ray, MRI and blood test interpretation ### Knowledge/Experience **Essential** - Specialist knowledge in a broad range of MSK conditions - Post qualification experience in a range of settings including musculoskeletal out –patient setting - Experience of teaching and presenting - Previous experience in a musculoskeletal triage role - Able to apply a high level of knowledge and skills in a clinical setting - Evidence of knowledge of audit and research - Evidence of supervision and clinical education of students or less experienced staff - To demonstrate understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service - To demonstrate full understanding of the biopsychosocial model and its implementation - To fully understand the role of diagnostics - To demonstrate understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation - To demonstrate understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of practice - To demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve risk management issues according to policy/protocol - To follow professional and organisational policies/ procedures relating to performance management **Desirable** - Previous experience working as a band 7 in MSK - To understand the role of other professionals associated with the treatment of pain and musculoskeletal conditions ## Documents - [oh risk id form (pdf, 284.2kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10473679) - [a great place to work (pdf, 2.1mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1400) - [our people promise and charter (pdf, 5.8mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2513) - [specialist musculoskeletal practitioner and first contact practitione (pdf, 544.5kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10469734) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.