Extended Scope Practitioner Musculoskeletal

Job Summary

18.75 hours per week

Are you looking for a new challenge? You will be a highly motivated experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist who is committed to excellent service provision working within a highly regarded team, providing clinical leadership to colleagues in your own and stakeholder services.

As an Extended Scope Practitioner, you will be responsible for providing clinical leadership and management within our service and ensuring the provision of a highly specialised and patient centred musculoskeletal assessment and treatment.

We are looking for an enthusiastic caring professional with advanced clinical reasoning and communication skills to join our established team, working across the MSK service and supporting clinicians working in primary care as part of our First Contact Practitioner service. Promoting a team ethos and creating a supportive framework in which to further develop your clinical and leadership skills.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

Working as part of a community-based team of Musculoskeletal ESPs, physiotherapists and GPSI, you will be responsible for managing a mixed caseload of complex patients who are attending for musculoskeletal problems. You will provide advanced assessment, diagnosis and management of their problems in accordance with best practice, requesting diagnostic investigations as appropriate and interpreting the relevance of these in the light of clinical presentation. You will organise, attend and contribute to clinical case review and other CPD activities as appropriate.

You will possess excellent communication skills and have an ability to adapt to different learning styles. Providing clinical leadership and guidance to inform policies and pathways and also supporting other clinical staff in their development and understanding.

You will be involved in the development and delivery of In Service training programmes to a variety of staff groups which may include Advanced Nurse Practitioners and GPs.

You will be instrumental in supporting Service Development and Pathway Development, especially developing links with secondary care.

About Us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

27 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-B2392

Job locations

Community Musculoskeletal Service, New Street Clinic

Upper New Street

Barnsley

S Yorkshire

S70 1LP

United Kingdom

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The post holder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder when necessary and in line with service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Job Purpose:

To provide a screening, assessment, referral & treatment service for patients with a variety of complex musculoskeletal problems, referring on to the most appropriate service where necessary including secondary care.

To triage referrals through highly advanced & specialist assessment, using investigations & diagnostics to enable the provision of a clinical opinion/diagnosis in order to advise referrers & patients regarding further management of their condition.

To provide a district wide service acting as a lead in the management of musculoskeletal problems and facilitating rapid referral to the most appropriate service for the management of patients with complex musculoskeletal problem.

To take a lead role for the professional development & the facilitation of best practice in the clinical area of musculoskeletal outpatients for all health care professionals including being involved in the Continuing Professional Development of Medical Practitioners.

Job Dimensions:

Supervision of more junior staff and students if necessary

Advise Manager on budgetary issues related to musculoskeletal services

Clinical:

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To screen musculoskeletal referrals to the Referral Management Centre and to make decisions on their further management, ensuring all health and safety issues are adhered to.
• To use highly advanced clinical reasoning skills to undertake advanced specialist assessment of patients, and formulate an accurate diagnosis & prognosis discussing treatment options & referring on when necessary or agreeing an individual treatment program with the patients consent.
• To gather, interpret & analyse highly complex clinical and non clinical information and undertake highly skilled and clinically advanced procedures and interventions within the scope of the Extended Scope Practitioner. This includes selecting and using appropriate assessment techniques and requesting diagnostic investigations (x-rays, blood tests, MRI/ultrasound scans as identified within the protocols set by the Trust).
• To accept referrals from GPs, Physiotherapists & Podiatrists and provide a specialist opinion on patients with complex musculoskeletal problems, using & supporting physiotherapists, medical colleagues & other professions where necessary in the management of musculoskeletal conditions
• To monitor and progress patients using appropriate outcome measures and discharge planning, providing detailed reports and letters to referrers and referring onto other services where necessary.
• To use excellent communication skills to deliver highly complex, sensitive and contentious information to patients and carers.
• To deliver injection therapy &/or prescribing of
  
  

medication under guidance of patient group directive where necessary

• To be responsible for risk assessing all aspects of own work in line with Trust procedures and Professional standards & be professionally & legally accountable for own practice as an autonomous practitioner.
• To write medico-legal reports for patients within own specialist clinical caseload where necessary.
  
  

Professional:

• To maintain patient treatment records in line with Trust and Professional standards
• To be responsible for maintenance of own extensive CPD and show evidence through professional portfolio.
• To lead on aspects of change in the working and clinical practice of the musculoskeletal/physiotherapy team and to ensure that where they impact on other health professionals or services they are informed and assisted with managing the changes to their organisation or service
• To use Evidence Based Practice to inform decision making regarding the best management of musculoskeletal problems.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary debate advising on policy and procedural decisions on musculoskeletal clinical matters
  
  

Organisational

• To take a lead when necessary on clinical networking, co-ordinating, integrating and improving musculoskeletal care pathways and processes across teams, professions and Trusts.
• To design and undertake audit programs to develop the musculoskeletal service.
• To lead on relevant aspects of research using audit and evidence based practice results to set standards within the musculoskeletal services.
• To complete work within agreed time scales and alert manager where logistics problems threaten to disrupt working practices.
• To support Managers with the maintenance & development of a high quality, efficient & effective musculoskeletal service
• To ensure equality, privacy & dignity is shown to all patients & carers who attend the service.
  
  

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Clinical:

• To screen musculoskeletal referrals to the Referral Management Centre and to make decisions on their further management, ensuring all health and safety issues are adhered to.
• To use highly advanced clinical reasoning skills to undertake advanced specialist assessment of patients, and formulate an accurate diagnosis & prognosis discussing treatment options & referring on when necessary or agreeing an individual treatment program with the patients consent.
• To gather, interpret & analyse highly complex clinical and non clinical information and undertake highly skilled and clinically advanced procedures and interventions within the scope of the Extended Scope Practitioner. This includes selecting and using appropriate assessment techniques and requesting diagnostic investigations (x-rays, blood tests, MRI/ultrasound scans as identified within the protocols set by the Trust).
• To accept referrals from GPs, Physiotherapists & Podiatrists and provide a specialist opinion on patients with complex musculoskeletal problems, using & supporting physiotherapists, medical colleagues & other professions where necessary in the management of musculoskeletal conditions
• To monitor and progress patients using appropriate outcome measures and discharge planning, providing detailed reports and letters to referrers and referring onto other services where necessary.
• To use excellent communication skills to deliver highly complex, sensitive and contentious information to patients and carers.
• To deliver injection therapy &/or prescribing of
  
  

medication under guidance of patient group directive where necessary

• To be responsible for risk assessing all aspects of own work in line with Trust procedures and Professional standards & be professionally & legally accountable for own practice as an autonomous practitioner.
• To write medico-legal reports for patients within own specialist clinical caseload where necessary.
  
  

Professional:

• To maintain patient treatment records in line with Trust and Professional standards
• To be responsible for maintenance of own extensive CPD and show evidence through professional portfolio.
• To lead on aspects of change in the working and clinical practice of the musculoskeletal/physiotherapy team and to ensure that where they impact on other health professionals or services they are informed and assisted with managing the changes to their organisation or service
• To use Evidence Based Practice to inform decision making regarding the best management of musculoskeletal problems.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary debate advising on policy and procedural decisions on musculoskeletal clinical matters
  
  

Organisational

• To take a lead when necessary on clinical networking, co-ordinating, integrating and improving musculoskeletal care pathways and processes across teams, professions and Trusts.
• To design and undertake audit programs to develop the musculoskeletal service.
• To lead on relevant aspects of research using audit and evidence based practice results to set standards within the musculoskeletal services.
• To complete work within agreed time scales and alert manager where logistics problems threaten to disrupt working practices.
• To support Managers with the maintenance & development of a high quality, efficient & effective musculoskeletal service
• To ensure equality, privacy & dignity is shown to all patients & carers who attend the service.
  
  

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent.
• Current registration with Health Professions Council.
• Non medical prescribing qualification or to achieve within 12 month.
  
  

Training

Essential

• Evidence of Extensive Continuing Professional Development in musculoskeletal area.
• Validated post qualification musculoskeletal courses.
• MSc (Musculoskeletal bias) or working towards & completion in next 12 months.
• Willing to work towards extended scope qualifications eg imaging, blood result interpretation.
• Injection Therapy Qualification or about to undertake the training.
  
  

Desirable

• Extended scope qualifications - e.g x-rays, bloods, prescribing.
  
  

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Excellent Knowledge of musculoskeletal conditions & their management.
• Knowledge of clinical guidelines & frameworks related to musculoskeletal conditions.
• Excellent clinical reasoning, assessment and treatment skills.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work outside the scope of physiotherapy.
• Multi-disciplinary working skills.
• Proven organisational and time management skills.
• Negotiation and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to risk assess own situation/caseload.
• Teaching and supervisory skills.
  
  

Desirable

• IT skills.
  
  

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Flexibility of working practice and times, including working outside normal hours.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
  
  

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
  
  

Experience

Essential

• Extensive Post-graduate experience in a variety of musculoskeletal areas with supervision/teaching/ mentoring of other musculoskeletal staff.
• Use of Evidence Based Practice/audit/research experience.
  
  

Desirable

• Evidence of experience to promote the role of the service.
• Involvement in Research & development.
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent.
• Current registration with Health Professions Council.
• Non medical prescribing qualification or to achieve within 12 month.
  
  

Training

Essential

• Evidence of Extensive Continuing Professional Development in musculoskeletal area.
• Validated post qualification musculoskeletal courses.
• MSc (Musculoskeletal bias) or working towards & completion in next 12 months.
• Willing to work towards extended scope qualifications eg imaging, blood result interpretation.
• Injection Therapy Qualification or about to undertake the training.
  
  

Desirable

• Extended scope qualifications - e.g x-rays, bloods, prescribing.
  
  

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Excellent Knowledge of musculoskeletal conditions & their management.
• Knowledge of clinical guidelines & frameworks related to musculoskeletal conditions.
• Excellent clinical reasoning, assessment and treatment skills.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work outside the scope of physiotherapy.
• Multi-disciplinary working skills.
• Proven organisational and time management skills.
• Negotiation and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to risk assess own situation/caseload.
• Teaching and supervisory skills.
  
  

Desirable

• IT skills.
  
  

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Flexibility of working practice and times, including working outside normal hours.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
  
  

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
  
  

Essential

• Extensive Post-graduate experience in a variety of musculoskeletal areas with supervision/teaching/ mentoring of other musculoskeletal staff.
• Use of Evidence Based Practice/audit/research experience.
  
  

Desirable

• Evidence of experience to promote the role of the service.
• Involvement in Research & development.
  
  

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This 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 Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This 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 Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Community Musculoskeletal Service, New Street Clinic

Upper New Street

Barnsley

S Yorkshire

S70 1LP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Community Musculoskeletal Service, New Street Clinic

Upper New Street

Barnsley

S Yorkshire

S70 1LP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)