Advanced MSK Physiotherapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will use your advanced clinical knowledge, specialist skills and clinical reasoning to assess, diagnose and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, delivering individualised, evidence-based treatment programmes tailored to patients needs. You will take clinical responsibility for a designated caseload, ensuring effective organisation and prioritisation of patients according to clinical urgency, complexity and need, while making best use of available clinical time and resources. An injection therapy qualification would be advantageous; however, opportunities may be available to develop this skill as part of your ongoing professional development if you are not already qualified.

As part of our established integrated MSK team, you will have access to specialist clinical advice and support from Extended Scope Practitioners (ESPs) across upper limb, lower limb, spinal, trauma, hand, rheumatology and women's health services. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to discuss complex cases, support clinical decision-making and ensure patients receive appropriate, timely and effective care. Clinical support is also available from Band 8a ESP colleagues, including the opportunity to discuss the need for diagnostic imaging and facilitate appropriate referrals following clinical discussion. You will also work closely with the Governance and Operational teams to support safe, effective and responsive service delivery.

You will contribute to the clinical leadership and development of the wider physiotherapy team, supporting junior colleagues and students through clinical supervision, mentorship, appropriate delegation and the monitoring of clinical practice. You will be expected to provide shadowing opportunities for students and staff where appropriate, promoting knowledge sharing and the development of clinical skills across the service. Full student supervision and mentorship training can be supported through local universities where required, with additional on-site guidance available to help you become familiar with local procedures and expectations.

We are committed to supporting your ongoing clinical and professional development. You will have a named supervisor who will work with you to develop and review your personal development plan, support your appraisal and identify opportunities aligned with your individual learning needs and career aspirations. Protected clinical supervision time is provided by CDDFT, with sessions led by the supervisee to ensure discussions are relevant to your development, clinical practice and wellbeing. Pastoral support is also available through this framework, with alternative arrangements considered where appropriate to meet individual circumstances.

A range of shadowing and training opportunities is available across the service, including learning alongside consultants, A&E, plastics and specialist physiotherapy teams. These opportunities can be incorporated into your personal development plan to broaden your clinical experience, strengthen specialist knowledge and support progression towards your professional goals. The department also provides regular in-service training, access to e-Learning for Health and opportunities to attend external courses through available CPD budgets.

You will have access to our developing CDIMS physiotherapy intranet, which provides a comprehensive resource of local MSK pathways, clinical protocols, guidance and evidence-based patient information leaflets to support consistent, high-quality clinical practice.

The post holder can be considered for injection therapy as a development opportunity (if not already qualified)

Many CDIMS band 7 physiotherapists & FCPs have injection skills and are available for case discussions.

The Post holders named supervisor will support your personal development plan and the appraisal framework. CDDFT support protected supervision time which is led by the supervisee for your individual needs. Pastoral support is also provided within this structure, or alternative arrangement can be made to suit personal circumstances.

Shadowing and training are available throughout the full service with consultants, A&E, plastics, FCPs in GP practices, ESPs in all specialities. This is arranged within your personal development plan. The department runs In-service training sessions together with access to learning on e-Learning for health.

CDIMS use SystmOne for clinical note keeping - training can be provided to suit individual needs.

CDDFT provide a full induction program which includes mandatory training together with a local physiotherapy induction tailored to your needs. Training will also be provided with all CDDFT ICT programs as required. The post holder will be provided with a laptop.

The post holder will have opportunities to develop leadership skills. We promote all staff to be involved with quality improvement projects and promotes future career opportunities. New ideas are always welcome to promote efficiency and quality for our patients at CDDFT.

The department has a track record for staff wellbeing support following all local CDDFT guidance.

The post holder will have access to a well-being hub which includes support telephone numbers and you can be invited to the North East NHS outdoor wellbeing group.

The NENC ICS also provide a wellbeing hub which all our staff have access to, which provides various proactive help and support solutions depending on needs.

Job responsibilities

You will use your advanced clinical knowledge, specialist skills and clinical reasoning to assess, diagnose and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, delivering individualised, evidence-based treatment programmes tailored to patients needs. You will take clinical responsibility for a designated caseload, ensuring effective organisation and prioritisation of patients according to clinical urgency, complexity and need, while making best use of available clinical time and resources. An injection therapy qualification would be advantageous; however, opportunities may be available to develop this skill as part of your ongoing professional development if you are not already qualified.

As part of our established integrated MSK team, you will have access to specialist clinical advice and support from Extended Scope Practitioners (ESPs) across upper limb, lower limb, spinal, trauma, hand, rheumatology and women's health services. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to discuss complex cases, support clinical decision-making and ensure patients receive appropriate, timely and effective care. Clinical support is also available from Band 8a ESP colleagues, including the opportunity to discuss the need for diagnostic imaging and facilitate appropriate referrals following clinical discussion. You will also work closely with the Governance and Operational teams to support safe, effective and responsive service delivery.

You will contribute to the clinical leadership and development of the wider physiotherapy team, supporting junior colleagues and students through clinical supervision, mentorship, appropriate delegation and the monitoring of clinical practice. You will be expected to provide shadowing opportunities for students and staff where appropriate, promoting knowledge sharing and the development of clinical skills across the service. Full student supervision and mentorship training can be supported through local universities where required, with additional on-site guidance available to help you become familiar with local procedures and expectations.

We are committed to supporting your ongoing clinical and professional development. You will have a named supervisor who will work with you to develop and review your personal development plan, support your appraisal and identify opportunities aligned with your individual learning needs and career aspirations. Protected clinical supervision time is provided by CDDFT, with sessions led by the supervisee to ensure discussions are relevant to your development, clinical practice and wellbeing. Pastoral support is also available through this framework, with alternative arrangements considered where appropriate to meet individual circumstances.

A range of shadowing and training opportunities is available across the service, including learning alongside consultants, A&E, plastics and specialist physiotherapy teams. These opportunities can be incorporated into your personal development plan to broaden your clinical experience, strengthen specialist knowledge and support progression towards your professional goals. The department also provides regular in-service training, access to e-Learning for Health and opportunities to attend external courses through available CPD budgets.

You will have access to our developing CDIMS physiotherapy intranet, which provides a comprehensive resource of local MSK pathways, clinical protocols, guidance and evidence-based patient information leaflets to support consistent, high-quality clinical practice.

The post holder can be considered for injection therapy as a development opportunity (if not already qualified)

Many CDIMS band 7 physiotherapists & FCPs have injection skills and are available for case discussions.

The Post holders named supervisor will support your personal development plan and the appraisal framework. CDDFT support protected supervision time which is led by the supervisee for your individual needs. Pastoral support is also provided within this structure, or alternative arrangement can be made to suit personal circumstances.

Shadowing and training are available throughout the full service with consultants, A&E, plastics, FCPs in GP practices, ESPs in all specialities. This is arranged within your personal development plan. The department runs In-service training sessions together with access to learning on e-Learning for health.

CDIMS use SystmOne for clinical note keeping - training can be provided to suit individual needs.

CDDFT provide a full induction program which includes mandatory training together with a local physiotherapy induction tailored to your needs. Training will also be provided with all CDDFT ICT programs as required. The post holder will be provided with a laptop.

The post holder will have opportunities to develop leadership skills. We promote all staff to be involved with quality improvement projects and promotes future career opportunities. New ideas are always welcome to promote efficiency and quality for our patients at CDDFT.

The department has a track record for staff wellbeing support following all local CDDFT guidance.

The post holder will have access to a well-being hub which includes support telephone numbers and you can be invited to the North East NHS outdoor wellbeing group.

The NENC ICS also provide a wellbeing hub which all our staff have access to, which provides various proactive help and support solutions depending on needs.