First Contact Practitioner- Physiotherapy
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Hours / week
- 22.5
- Posted
- 10/08/2026
- Closes
- 05/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for an experienced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist to work as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) within the Runcorn area. You will provide high-level assessment and diagnostic skills for patients with undiagnosed MSK conditions, offering expert advice and appropriate signposting. The FCP will integrate into the existing MSK Clinical Assessment and Triage Service (MSKCATS) team, covering GP practices and community bases. The post holder will also be involved in service audits, pathway developments, and education for colleagues.
Essential criteria
- Holds Degree or Degree Equivalent in Physiotherapy
- HCPC registered
- Previous work in MSK field of Physiotherapy
- Previous experience in NHS
- Advanced clinical knowledge and expertise in MSK
- Post Graduate course in MSK
- Evidence of an MSK portfolio
- Knowledge of biopsychosocial model of assessment
- Knowledge of audit and Quality Improvement Projects
- Working knowledge of diagnostics in MSK field
- Evidence of teaching and presenting skills
- Evidence of supervision of other staff
- Completion of Stage 1 and 2 of HEE Roadmap to Practice for FCP Physiotherapists
- Basic knowledge of IT software- Word, Excel, MS Forms
- Team Player
- Ability to work alone
- Able to drive and has access to own transport
- Evidence of working in FCP role or Triage role previously
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience working on EMIS or a Primary Care EPR system
- Evidence of diagnostic interpretation courses completed
- Injection Therapy
- Non Medical Prescribing Course completed
- Previous work in GP Practice
- Advanced IT knowledge
- Knowledge of community services inc voluntary sector
- Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Good communication skills
- Professional Standards
- Holds Degree or Degree Equivalent in Physiotherapy
- HCPC registered
- Previous work in MSK field of Physiotherapy
- Previous experience in NHS
- Advanced clinical knowledge and expertise in MSK
- Post Graduate course in MSK
- Evidence of an MSK portfolio
- Knowledge of biopsychosocial model of assessment
- Knowledge of audit and Quality Improvement Projects
- Working knowledge of diagnostics in MSK field
- Evidence of teaching and presenting skills
- Evidence of supervision of other staff
- Completion of Stage 1 and 2 of HEE Roadmap to Practice for FCP Physiotherapists
- Basic knowledge of IT software- Word, Excel, MS Forms
- Team Player
- Ability to work alone
- Able to drive and has access to own transport
- Evidence of working in FCP role or Triage role previously
- Previous experience working on EMIS or a Primary Care EPR system
- Evidence of diagnostic interpretation courses completed
- Injection Therapy
- Non Medical Prescribing Course completed
- Previous work in GP Practice
- Advanced IT knowledge
- Knowledge of community services inc voluntary sector
- Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Good communication skills
- Professional Standards
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 20d ago · Closes in 7d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
Previous unsuccessful applicants at shortlisting and interview stage need not apply.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Trust are recruiting for a 22.5 hours First Contact Practitioner- Physiotherapist (FCP) within the Runcorn area.
Working as part of the well-established Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Triage Service (MSKCATS) , you will integrate with the current team of highly skilled Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practitioners (AMPP) and First Contact Practitioners (FCP) that currently deliver FCP services to the population of Runcorn in North West England.
You will be based in Runcorn across the bases that provide FCP services- Halton Hospital, Halton Healthcare Hub and GP practices. Currently, not all Runcorn GP practices have an FCP working on base, but all FCPs will be a link person with a specific GP practice to help facilitate relationships within the practice team. This combined working means that the post holder is not isolated from colleagues and will work as part of the wider MSKCATS team.
You will be expected to cover GP practices in the Runcorn Primary Care Network if service needs require.
Halton has had a FCP service for over 5 years and an interface service for 15 plus years before that. We have excellent working relationships with our primary and secondary care colleagues as well as the ICB.
We have a long history of provid
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