Job summaryJoin our Musculoskeletal (MSK) service as an MSK First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapist based within Healthwest PCN. You'll play a key role in delivering expert care at the first point of contact within Primary Care, working closely with GP teams to assess and support patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
As part of the wider Sirona MSK service across Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire - including physiotherapy, podiatry, and orthopaedic interface teams, you'll provide high-quality, patient-centred care within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
Clinics are delivered Monday to Friday between 8am-8pm, with some weekend sessions supporting improved access services.
Within Sirona care & health, this role is recognised as an 'MSK FCP Physiotherapist' and is aligned to Band 7 on the Agenda for Change pay scale.
Main duties of the jobAs an MSK First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Physiotherapist, you will provide expert assessment and management for patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions within Primary Care. Working closely with GP teams and the wider BNSSG MSK service, you will use advanced clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, and skilled physical assessment to support patients with complex physical and emotional needs.
You will assess patients via self-referral and Primary Care referral pathways, developing personalised management plans through shared decision making. The role includes recognising when further investigations or specialist referrals are required, while developing competency in the referral and interpretation of diagnostic investigations including imaging, blood tests, and diagnostic injections.
Working alongside the Advanced MSK FCP Physiotherapist, you will develop knowledge across specialist MSK pathways including orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain services, neurology, neurosurgery, and community services. You will support patients with treatment choices, self-management, and long-term condition management.
The role also includes contributing to service development, audit, quality improvement, mentorship, and pathway evaluation across the PCN and wider Sirona MSK service.
We are looking for a clinician with excellent communication, strong clinical reasoning skills, and a commitment to high-quality patient-centred care within a multidisciplinary environment.
About usEver dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a
real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas.
We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.
Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits you'll receive.
We welcome and encourage all applicants. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we support and are proactively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce. We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We aim to draw upon the widest possible range of views and experiences to meet the changing needs of our colleagues, partners and communities we serve.
Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for
all our colleagues and apprentices.
Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find attached to this vacancy.
Job responsibilitiesPlease see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities before applying for this position.
If you refer to qualifications or employment within your supporting statement, that has not been included in your Qualifications, Training or Employment History, this information may be discounted.
Person SpecificationSkills, Knowledge and ExperienceEssential- Highly developed MSK clinical reasoning, assessment, and differential diagnosis skills across spinal and peripheral conditions.
- Experience managing complex MSK patients within Primary Care and multidisciplinary pathways.
- Ability to recognise red flags, manage clinical risk, and work within professional scope of practice.
- Excellent communication, patient education, and report-writing skills, including managing sensitive or challenging situations.
- Experience teaching, mentoring, supervising, or supporting the development of colleagues and students
- Experience contributing to service improvement, audit, quality assurance, or pathway development.
Desirable- Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
- Masters Level/Level 7 qualification or equivalent postgraduate training.
- Experience requesting and interpreting diagnostic investigations such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or blood tests.
- Experience referring into specialist pathways including orthopaedics, rheumatology, neurology, or pain services.
- Leadership or management training and experience supporting service or workforce development.
- Experience contributing to research, clinical trials, pathway redesign, or publication of audit/research findings.
- Experience in operational or line management responsibilities within MSK services
Professional QualificationsEssential- Degree or Diploma in Physiotherapy with current HCPC registration.
Desirable- Non-medical prescriber
- Injection trained
Additional informationDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
