Specialist Musculoskeletal Practitioner

Advanced communication skills are essential along with knowledge of spinal anatomy, pathologies and appropriate care pathways.

The post advertised is 0.5 WTE however we are happy to discuss how this post can fit with other opportunities within the MSK pathway in Somerset which could create a full time role.

Working as a Specialist Practitioner within the field of musculoskeletal medicine. The post holder will provide expert musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and advice to a complex and diverse range of patients within the specific specialism.

**The post holder will**:
- Undertake clinics, assessing new referrals from GP’s, First Contract Practitioners, consultants, physiotherapists and podiatrists.
- Be able to instigate advanced investigations such as x-rays, blood tests and MRI scans.
- Initiate actions with freedom and autonomy to act, often advising Doctors and Physiotherapists on appropriate courses of action.
- Ensure patients are assessed, given a diagnosis and management options are discussed including appropriateness for surgery where only the most complicated cases will be discussed with peers and relevant consultant colleagues.

To act as skilled and expert resource to clinical colleagues e.g. Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and GPs with regard to musculoskeletal/orthopaedic issues.

To screen and filter referrals within the integrated MSK service and manage the care of those patients who otherwise would have been referred to and seen by a hospital consultant

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stones throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan there is truly something for everyone

Key relationships
- Patients and their relatives/carers in order to assess and treat them - daily face to face or by phone or video platform.
- Orthopaedic Assessment Service Manager and Team leaders
- Consultant Physiotherapist, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Podiatry Managers, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Physiotherapy and Podiatry Team Leaders.
- Radiology, Pain Management, Rheumatology, Neurology, Orthopaedic and Spinal Consultants, Podiatric Surgeon.
- Clinicians working in the Orthopaedic Assessment Service as part of the multidisciplinary care of patients and in setting standards and developing care pathways.
- GP’s, physiotherapists and podiatrists and health care professionals who refer patients to or liaise with the Orthopaedic Assessment service.
- Administrative support staff, medical secretaries, nurses and health care assistants involved in the service.

Communication

**The Post holder will**:
- 1. Be required to communicate very complex and at times sensitive clinical information both written and verbal, in an easily understood form, to patients, carers, and all members of the multi-disciplinary team. The information is very complex because of:

- The existence of problems in multiple joints, related to degenerative disease/ osteoarthritis which may lead to changes in functional activities/work/ hobbies of patients.
- The highly specialist nature of requesting investigations and treatments which is not familiar to patients or other staff and needs to be explained in addition to being communicated.

2. Ensure all patients understand the assessment process, and have given valid and informed consent for assessment and intervention. Where patients are not able to provide consent for treatment, e.g. through mental incapacity, the post holder will work within existing legal frameworks, Trust guidelines, and professional codes of conduct

3. Require significant tact and communication skills (with extended skills in verbal and non-verbal communication such as: motivational Interviewing and shared decision making) in order to overcome the significant barriers to understanding and managing complex medical issues.

4. Develop a close professional working relationship with orthopaedic, medical and surgical teams, GP’s and with other members of the multidisciplinary team, through a respect for, and understanding of, their different roles and training.

5. Have the ability to discuss the role of surgical procedures including risks, outcomes and post operative recovery.

6. Maintain contemporaneous written records to service standards of all clinical observations and interventions. W