Band 8a Locum Adults Physiotherapist

MSK Interface Physiotherapist & Geographical Pathway Lead – Band 8a

Job Overview

We are recruiting an experienced Band 8a MSK Interface Physiotherapist & Geographical Pathway Lead to join a specialist Musculoskeletal Interface Service (MSKI) within the South West NHS. This is an urgent locum opportunity for an Advanced Clinical Practitioner with extensive musculoskeletal experience to provide expert assessment, diagnosis and management of complex MSK conditions.

Working within an adult orthopaedic interface service between primary and secondary care, you will assess complex patients referred by GPs, First Contact Practitioners, consultants and allied health professionals. You will utilise advanced clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills to develop evidence-based management plans while contributing to the ongoing development of local MSK pathways and improving patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advanced specialist assessment and management of patients with complex musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions.
• Undertake complex clinical triage and determine the most appropriate management pathway for each patient.
• Use advanced differential diagnosis, expert clinical reasoning and pattern recognition to assess complex presentations.
• Independently refer patients for appropriate diagnostic investigations, including X-rays, MRI scans, diagnostic injections and nerve conduction studies.
• Interpret diagnostic findings and integrate results into evidence-based treatment and management plans.
• Refer patients to secondary care specialties, including orthopaedics and rheumatology, where clinically appropriate.
• Provide Advanced Clinical Practitioner-level assessment and decision-making.
• Offer specialist advice and guidance to primary care clinicians and community healthcare professionals.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of local musculoskeletal pathways and patient services.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across primary, community and secondary care.

About You

You will be an experienced Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with exceptional clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills. You will be confident managing highly complex MSK presentations independently while working collaboratively across healthcare services to deliver outstanding patient care and pathway improvements.

Requirements

• HCPC registered Physiotherapist.
• Significant experience working as an Advanced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapist.
• Experience working within an MSK Interface Service or Advanced Clinical Practitioner role.
• Advanced knowledge of musculoskeletal assessment, differential diagnosis and clinical decision-making.
• Experience requesting and interpreting diagnostic investigations including X-rays and MRI.
• Knowledge of referral pathways into orthopaedics, rheumatology and other specialist services.
• Experience managing complex patients with multiple physical and psychosocial presentations.
• Excellent communication, leadership and multidisciplinary team working skills.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, service development and improving patient pathways.

Contract & Salary

• Role: MSK Interface Physiotherapist & Geographical Pathway Lead – Band 8a
• Area: South West NHS
• Job Type: Locum
• Contract: Urgent requirement for 4–6 months with ongoing potential.
• Salary: Negotiable.
• Working Hours: Flexible depending on clinician availability. Service operates Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 18:30.
• Full job description available on request.
• Reference: U.008007.BE20576

How to Apply

If you are an experienced HCPC-registered Physiotherapist with Advanced Clinical Practitioner-level MSK expertise and are looking for an exciting opportunity to influence patient pathways and deliver specialist musculoskeletal care, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join a forward-thinking multidisciplinary service dedicated to delivering exceptional patient outcomes.

Please apply using the form on the page.