Trainee First Contact Physiotherapist

Job Overview

This role represents a valuable advancement opportunity for an outstanding candidate to develop into a Band 8a Advanced Practice First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP). Hosted by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, the successful candidate will be employed at Band 7 while completing a structured training program and FCP Portfolio. Upon satisfactory completion, promotion to Band 8a will follow. The role is based full-time in either the Southall or Acton areas within the Ealing locality and is integrated within the local Primary Care Network (PCN) and the established musculoskeletal (MSK) team.

Role and Responsibilities

• Operate independently as a first-contact physiotherapist, managing musculoskeletal, rheumatological, and pain-related conditions by assessing, diagnosing, and triaging patients without prior GP consultation.
• Manage a diverse and complex caseload including patients with chronic conditions and multiple comorbidities.
• Lead and innovate MSK care development within the PCN, aligning with trust and local healthcare priorities.
• Hold accountability under HCPC registration, supported by professional peer review and evidence-based practice.
• Ensure timely and efficient patient access through responsive service delivery, promoting clinical excellence and supporting clinical colleagues with specialist advice.
• Deliver proactive, preventive care focusing on early intervention and promoting self-management to optimize patient independence and reduce reliance on medication.
• Develop personalized care plans considering patients' general health, employment, physical function, and mobility needs.
• Support patients in setting personal health goals and building confidence in self-management techniques.
• Communicate complex clinical information effectively to patients and their carers, including diagnosis, prognosis, and pathology.
• Utilize advanced clinical skills such as independent prescribing, joint injections, and aspirations as required by the PCN.
• Offer educational opportunities to multi-professional teams within primary care.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize clinical pathways and service efficiency.
• Exercise professional judgment and assume responsibility for decisions in situations with incomplete information, including conflict or psychosocial complexities.
• Conduct home visits to complete comprehensive MSK assessments when necessary.

Person Specification

• Must hold a Graduate Diploma or BSc in Physiotherapy along with HCPC registration.
• Completion or ongoing engagement with postgraduate courses relevant to the role.
• Experience or progress towards prescribing qualification and injectable therapy is advantageous.
• Teaching qualifications or experience are desirable.
• Understanding of national healthcare priorities, effective resource management, and change leadership preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver specialized learning programs to peers and junior staff.
• Experience with MSK outpatient care, telephone and face-to-face triage, and MDT collaboration.
• Participation in clinical governance, audits, research, or service evaluation.
• Strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of orthopaedic, rheumatologic, and pain management conditions is essential.
• Experience in community or GP practice settings and familiarity with cognitive behavioural therapy or pain management approaches is advantageous.
• Awareness of research governance principles is required; research qualifications are a plus.

Additional Information

The Trust strongly advocates vaccination to safeguard staff and patients in healthcare environments.

Upon unsuccessful completion of the development program, a substantive permanent Band 7 Physiotherapist role will be available.

Core values expected include compassion, respect for diversity, empowerment of patients and colleagues, and partnership working with service users and commissioners.