Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as an autonomous and independent specialist practitioner, working with the responsibility for assessing and directing the management of patients with musculoskeletal problems referred to the community MSK interface service.

To deliver therapeutic intervention, acting as a highly specialist clinician in MSK Outpatients and the community MSK interface service, by using the principles of Physiotherapy in an integrated and client-centred way. 

To work utilising highly specialist theoretical knowledge, clinical experience and advanced clinical reasoning to provide comprehensive patient management. This will include patients with diverse or complex presentations/multi-co-mobilities and those referred from other therapists and health care professionals for a second opinion/advice on further management.

To request investigations, where trained and competent, and to utilise the reports in diagnostic reasoning and to contribute to the medical diagnosis and management.

To provide clinical expertise, education, support and guidance for therapy staff. 

To promote effective communication with therapy, consultant, nursing and other healthcare staff in order to agree an inter-professional approach to patient management and ensure equity of care.

To support the operational delivery of the out of hours service at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or Cheltenham General Hospital.

To assume responsibility for personal development and ensure other team members are supported for development and supervision by continuing professional development, linked to appraisal 

To communicate effectively with patients and carers potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information; in order to provide patient centred care, to encourage self-management, maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of the condition.  Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties.