Job summary

This is a home based post

• Home based, you will work from your home in the UK, delivering consultations by telephone and video.

• UK only, you must live in the UK and carry out all work from within the UK.

• In person at the start, you must be willing to travel to MBPCC head office to collect your equipment and attend a face to face induction.

• Suitable environment, you must have a private, secure and suitable space to work from, with reliable broadband.

• Audit and monitoring, your home working arrangements, records and information governance compliance will be audited and monitored.

The Mental Health Practitioner is the Enable team's specialist for working age adults whose mental health affects their ability to work. Working from home, you will see patients referred through Enable triage by telephone and video, assess their mental health, risk and work situation, and agree a time limited, work focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

• You will also be the team's source of mental health expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages mental health presentations. This is a primary care, early intervention role; it is not a crisis or secondary care service. Patients needing longer term or specialist treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Main duties of the job

• Carry out holistic bio psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems for example anxiety, depression and work related stress by telephone or video.

• At the start of every remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, current location and a contact number, so that urgent help can be directed to them if needed.

• Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.

• Agree a time limited, work focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow up contacts. Draw on evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self help and graded return to work.

• Use validated outcome measures at agreed points, PHQ-9, GAD-7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale to track progress and inform decisions.

• Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies including employment advisers, community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.

• The post holder is not expected to independently request diagnostic investigations unless specifically authorised through professional registration, local policy and competency assessment.

About us

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, DWP to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home based, consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,000 a year Pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0160-26-0031

Job locations

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

Clinical assessment and intervention

• Carry out holistic bio psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems for example anxiety, depression and work-related stress by telephone or video.

• At the start of every remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, current location and a contact number, so that urgent help can be directed to them if needed.

• Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.

• Agree a time limited, work focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow up contacts. Draw on evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self help and graded return to work.

• Use validated outcome measures at agreed points PHQ 9, GAD 7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale to track progress and inform decisions.

• Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies including employment advisers, community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.

• Provide clear, concise feedback to the referring clinician and the patient's GP, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.

• The post holder is not expected to independently request diagnostic investigations unless specifically authorised through professional registration, local policy and competency assessment. Where investigations are indicated, recommendations will be communicated to the patient's GP or an appropriately authorised clinician for consideration.

• Work within the limits of your professional competence and seek advice from the Enable Clinical Lead where required.

Work and health

• Complete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is their mental health, within the standard appointment time.

• Demonstrable ability to build therapeutic rapport and undertake comprehensive mental health assessments via telephone and video consultation.

• Identify workplace factors that affect mental health, using recognised frameworks such as the HSE Management Standards, and recommend practical adjustments, phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace adaptations.

• With the patients explicit agreement only, communicate with employers by telephone, video or in writing to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.

• Where your registration permits and once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead, assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance. Registered Mental Health Nurses and Occupational Therapists are legally able to certify fit notes.

• Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.

Multidisciplinary working and advice

• Act as the mental health lead within the Enable team, giving same day advice by Teams or telephone to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on mental health presentations and risk.

• Take part in virtual multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases.

• Develop and deliver short virtual training sessions for the team on mental health, risk and work focused conversations.

• Build working relationships with local mental health services, NHS Talking Therapies, the participating practices and voluntary sector partners so that referral routes in and out of Enable are clear.

Records, data and governance

• Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.

• Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.

• Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.

• Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.

Service development

• Help design and refine the Enable mental health pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.

• Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.

• Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.

• Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test and learn environment.

Professional development

• Maintain professional registration and meet NMC standards and revalidation requirements.

• Attend monthly clinical supervision, delivered virtually and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.

• Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.

Working arrangements

Contract and hours

• This is a fixed term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.

• The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.

This is a home based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.

Location and in-person attendance

• Live in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.

• Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC approved systems only.

• Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face to face induction.

• Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.

Suitable home working environment

• Have a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.

• Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.

• Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.

• Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.

• Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self Assessment, including display screen equipment and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.

• Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.

Information governance and cyber security

• Use only MBPCC issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems.

• Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems.

• Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised.

• Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient related calls from public places.

• Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.

Audit and monitoring

Because this post involves remote access to patient identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including:

• Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review.

• Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable.

• Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested.

• Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training.

• Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one to ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit.

• Quarterly one to one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.

Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.

Availability, communication and wellbeing

• Work contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly.

• Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.

• Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance and use agreed routes, Teams or telephone, to escalate clinical risk to the Clinical Lead or Advanced Nurse Practitioner without delay.

Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilitiesClinical assessment and interventionCarry out holistic bio psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems for example anxiety, depression and work-related stress by telephone or video.At the start of every remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, current location and a contact number, so that urgent help can be directed to them if needed.Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.Agree a time limited, work focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow up contacts. Draw on evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self help and graded return to work.Use validated outcome measures at agreed points PHQ 9, GAD 7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale to track progress and inform decisions.Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies including employment advisers, community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.Provide clear, concise feedback to the referring clinician and the patient's GP, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.The post holder is not expected to independently request diagnostic investigations unless specifically authorised through professional registration, local policy and competency assessment. Where investigations are indicated, recommendations will be communicated to the patient's GP or an appropriately authorised clinician for consideration.Work within the limits of your professional competence and seek advice from the Enable Clinical Lead where required.Work and healthComplete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is their mental health, within the standard appointment time.Demonstrable ability to build therapeutic rapport and undertake comprehensive mental health assessments via telephone and video consultation.Identify workplace factors that affect mental health, using recognised frameworks such as the HSE Management Standards, and recommend practical adjustments, phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace adaptations.With the patients explicit agreement only, communicate with employers by telephone, video or in writing to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.Where your registration permits and once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead, assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance. Registered Mental Health Nurses and Occupational Therapists are legally able to certify fit notes.Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.Multidisciplinary working and adviceAct as the mental health lead within the Enable team, giving same day advice by Teams or telephone to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on mental health presentations and risk.Take part in virtual multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases.Develop and deliver short virtual training sessions for the team on mental health, risk and work focused conversations.Build working relationships with local mental health services, NHS Talking Therapies, the participating practices and voluntary sector partners so that referral routes in and out of Enable are clear.Records, data and governanceKeep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.Service developmentHelp design and refine the Enable mental health pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test and learn environment.Professional developmentMaintain professional registration and meet NMC standards and revalidation requirements.Attend monthly clinical supervision, delivered virtually and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.Working arrangementsContract and hoursThis is a fixed term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.This is a home based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.Location and in-person attendanceLive in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC approved systems only.Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face to face induction.Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.Suitable home working environmentHave a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self Assessment, including display screen equipment and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.Information governance and cyber securityUse only MBPCC issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems.Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems.Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised.Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient related calls from public places.Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.Audit and monitoringBecause this post involves remote access to patient identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including:Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review.Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable.Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested.Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training.Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one to ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit.Quarterly one to one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.Availability, communication and wellbeingWork contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly.Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance and use agreed routes, Teams or telephone, to escalate clinical risk to the Clinical Lead or Advanced Nurse Practitioner without delay.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Committed to helping people stay in or return to work, with a recovery focused, strengths based approach
• Comfortable with change and able to work in a new, evolving service
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team, and to prioritise under pressure
• Self motivated and well organised, able to manage your own time and stay connected to the team while working from home

Other

Essential

• Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment
• Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face to face induction
• Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check

Remote working, confidentiality and IG

Essential

• Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment
• Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals
• Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities
• Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working
• Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes
• Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements

Experience

Essential

• At least 2 years post registration experience in adult mental health
• Independent assessment and risk management of adults with mental health problems
• Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions
• Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies
• Experience of assessing and managing suicidal ideation, self-harm risk and deterioration in mental state within remote consultations.

Desirable

• Experience in primary care, NHS Talking Therapies or an occupational health setting
• Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work
• Experience in a pilot, service development or evaluation project
• Experience of delivering training to other professionals
• Experience of assessing and managing risk by telephone or video

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, NMC
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in a mental health intervention, for example CBT, low intensity CBT or motivational interviewing
• Occupational health or vocational rehabilitation qualification, practice educator or mentorship qualification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Evidence based brief interventions for common mental health problems
• Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and adult and child safeguarding
• Local mental health services and referral pathways, or the ability to learn them quickly
• Understanding of the relationship between health, work and recovery, and the evidence supporting good work as a health outcome.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters
• Structured risk assessment and safety planning
• Confident with IT and accurate data entry, including Microsoft 365 and Teams
• Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video

Desirable

• The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health
• Employment law relevant to reasonable adjustments, such as the Equality Act 2010
• Mental health services in South Cumbria
• Ability to formulate and implement safety plans and urgent escalation pathways.
• Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions
• Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey
• Analysing and presenting service data

Person Specification Personal Qualities Essential Committed to helping people stay in or return to work, with a recovery focused, strengths based approach Comfortable with change and able to work in a new, evolving service Able to work autonomously and as part of a team, and to prioritise under pressure Self motivated and well organised, able to manage your own time and stay connected to the team while working from home Other Essential Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face to face induction Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance Satisfactory enhanced DBS check Remote working, confidentiality and IG Essential Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements Experience Essential At least 2 years post registration experience in adult mental health Independent assessment and risk management of adults with mental health problems Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies Experience of assessing and managing suicidal ideation, self-harm risk and deterioration in mental state within remote consultations. Desirable Experience in primary care, NHS Talking Therapies or an occupational health setting Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work Experience in a pilot, service development or evaluation project Experience of delivering training to other professionals Experience of assessing and managing risk by telephone or video Qualifications Essential Registered Mental Health Nurse, NMC Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Postgraduate qualification in a mental health intervention, for example CBT, low intensity CBT or motivational interviewing Occupational health or vocational rehabilitation qualification, practice educator or mentorship qualification Knowledge & Skills Essential Evidence based brief interventions for common mental health problems Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and adult and child safeguarding Local mental health services and referral pathways, or the ability to learn them quickly Understanding of the relationship between health, work and recovery, and the evidence supporting good work as a health outcome. Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters Structured risk assessment and safety planning Confident with IT and accurate data entry, including Microsoft 365 and Teams Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video Desirable The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health Employment law relevant to reasonable adjustments, such as the Equality Act 2010 Mental health services in South Cumbria Ability to formulate and implement safety plans and urgent escalation pathways. Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey Analysing and presenting service data

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been selected to take part in one of four national Fit Note Reform Pilots commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, testing a new approach that aims to improve support for people whose health affects their ability to work. The pilot addresses a recognised challenge in the current system, where fit notes often focus on certifying sickness absence rather than providing practical support to help people remain in work or return to work safely.

The Occupational Health Nurse is one of the senior clinical assessment resources within the Enable team. Working from home, the post holder will undertake work and health assessments by telephone and video for patients referred into the pilot, form an occupational health judgement about functional capacity and fitness for work, and produce Workability Plans that are clinically defensible, practical for employers and genuinely useful to the patient.

This is a test-and-learn service. The post holder is expected not only to deliver assessments, but to help shape the clinical model itself contributing to protocol development, escalation criteria, triage rules and the evaluation evidence that will inform national policy.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake structured work and health assessments with patients referred into the pilot by telephone or video, according to patient need and clinical appropriateness. Where a face-to-face assessment is clinically necessary, arrange this through agreed pathways.
• At the start of each remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, location and a contact number.
• Assess the interaction between a person's health condition, their functional ability and the demands of their role, taking account of all appropriate physical, psychological, social and workplace factors.
• Formulate and co-produce personalised Workability Plans focused on functional capability, phased return, adjustments and the practical support required to sustain work.
• Exercise autonomous professional judgement in determining whether a period away from work is clinically appropriate, and articulate that judgement clearly, proportionately and defensibly.
• Provide specialist advice on reasonable adjustments, graduated return to work, workplace modification and phased hours, informed by an understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and relevant health and safety legislation.
• Review and update Workability Plans at agreed intervals, adjusting recommendations as recovery, circumstances or employer response change.
• Recognise the limits of the pilot service and of personal professional competence, and escalate promptly and appropriately.

About us

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home-based: consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£41,590 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0160-26-0032

Job locations

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

Clinical assessment and workability planning

• Undertake structured work and health assessments with patients referred into the pilot by telephone or video, according to patient need and clinical appropriateness. Where a face-to-face assessment is clinically necessary, arrange this through agreed pathways.

• At the start of each remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, location and a contact number.

• Assess the interaction between a person's health condition, their functional ability and the demands of their role, taking account of all appropriate physical, psychological, social and workplace factors.

• Formulate and co-produce personalised Workability Plans focused on functional capability, phased return, adjustments and the practical support required to sustain work.

• Exercise autonomous professional judgement in determining whether a period away from work is clinically appropriate, and articulate that judgement clearly, proportionately and defensibly.

• Provide specialist advice on reasonable adjustments, graduated return to work, workplace modification and phased hours, informed by an understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and relevant health and safety legislation.

• Review and update Workability Plans at agreed intervals, adjusting recommendations as recovery, circumstances or employer response change.

• Recognise the limits of the pilot service and of personal professional competence, and escalate promptly and appropriately.

Triage, caseload and pathway management

• Contribute to the triage of incoming referrals, applying agreed criteria to determine the appropriate assessment route, practitioner and priority.

• Manage a personal caseload, prioritising effectively against service standards and pilot appointment targets.

• Identify patients whose needs fall outside the pilot model including those requiring urgent clinical assessment, safeguarding intervention or mental health crisis support and escalate through agreed routes without delay.

• Refer and signpost to wider support, including WorkWell coaching, therapy services, musculoskeletal pathways, social prescribing, debt and housing advice and employment support.

• Support colleagues in the wider team with clinical advice on complex or borderline cases, within scope of practice, by Teams or telephone.

Employer and stakeholder liaison

• With patient consent, take part in three-way conversations by telephone or video between the patient, their employer and the service to agree practical adjustments and maintain workplace connection from day one of absence.

• Produce clear, objective written advice for employers and managers that answers the question asked, respects medical confidentiality and avoids unnecessary clinical detail.

• Communicate sensitively with employers who may hold differing views, using negotiation and persuasion to reach workable outcomes for the patient.

• Build constructive relationships with referring practices, providing feedback that supports referral quality and confidence in the pilot model.

Clinical governance, safety and record keeping

• Practise at all times within the NMC Code, professional standards, pilot protocols and standard operating procedures.

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legible records in the approved clinical system, in line with the Data Sharing Agreement and information governance requirements.

• Obtain and record valid informed consent for assessment, for information sharing and for any contact with employers or third parties.

• Discharge safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults at risk, escalating concerns in accordance with agreed policy.

• Report incidents, near misses, complaints and risks through the pilot governance framework, and contribute to learning from them.

• Take part in virtual clinical supervision, case review and multidisciplinary discussion, including reflective review of complex or contested cases.

• Maintain professional indemnity and NMC registration, and comply with revalidation requirements.

Service design, data and evaluation

• Contribute to the development and refinement of assessment templates, triage criteria, escalation thresholds, business rules and standard operating procedures as the pilot matures.

• Capture the agreed management information and evaluation data set accurately and at the point of care, understanding that incomplete data weakens the national evidence base.

• Take part in audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and test-and-learn cycles, and act on the findings.

• Support the independent national evaluation, including interviews, case note review and data collection, within the limits of patient confidentiality.

Education, promotion and professional development

• Promote the pilot positively to practices, patients, employers and partners.

• Provide informal supervision, coaching and clinical advice to non-clinical members of the team.

• Maintain and extend personal expertise in occupational health, work and health policy and fitness for work assessment; undertake training identified as necessary for the role, including any pilot-specific training.

• Take part in appraisal, personal development planning and mandatory training.

Working arrangements

Contract and hours

• This is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.

• Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours, such as Saturday working.

• The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.

This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.

Location and in-person attendance

• Live in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.

• Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only.

• Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction.

• Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.

Suitable home working environment

• Have a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.

• Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.

• Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.

• Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.

• Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.

• Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.

Information governance and cyber security

• Use only MBPCC-issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems.

• Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems.

• Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient-identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised.

• Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient-related calls from public places.

• Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.

Audit and monitoring

Because this post involves remote access to patient-identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including:

• Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review.

• Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable.

• Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested.

• Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training.

• Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one-to-ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit.

• Quarterly one-to-one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.

Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.

Availability, communication and wellbeing

• Work contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly.

• Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.

Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance.

Job description Job responsibilities Main duties and responsibilitiesClinical assessment and workability planning Undertake structured work and health assessments with patients referred into the pilot by telephone or video, according to patient need and clinical appropriateness. Where a face-to-face assessment is clinically necessary, arrange this through agreed pathways. At the start of each remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, location and a contact number. Assess the interaction between a person's health condition, their functional ability and the demands of their role, taking account of all appropriate physical, psychological, social and workplace factors. Formulate and co-produce personalised Workability Plans focused on functional capability, phased return, adjustments and the practical support required to sustain work. Exercise autonomous professional judgement in determining whether a period away from work is clinically appropriate, and articulate that judgement clearly, proportionately and defensibly. Provide specialist advice on reasonable adjustments, graduated return to work, workplace modification and phased hours, informed by an understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and relevant health and safety legislation. Review and update Workability Plans at agreed intervals, adjusting recommendations as recovery, circumstances or employer response change. Recognise the limits of the pilot service and of personal professional competence, and escalate promptly and appropriately.Triage, caseload and pathway management Contribute to the triage of incoming referrals, applying agreed criteria to determine the appropriate assessment route, practitioner and priority. Manage a personal caseload, prioritising effectively against service standards and pilot appointment targets. Identify patients whose needs fall outside the pilot model including those requiring urgent clinical assessment, safeguarding intervention or mental health crisis support and escalate through agreed routes without delay. Refer and signpost to wider support, including WorkWell coaching, therapy services, musculoskeletal pathways, social prescribing, debt and housing advice and employment support. Support colleagues in the wider team with clinical advice on complex or borderline cases, within scope of practice, by Teams or telephone.Employer and stakeholder liaison With patient consent, take part in three-way conversations by telephone or video between the patient, their employer and the service to agree practical adjustments and maintain workplace connection from day one of absence. Produce clear, objective written advice for employers and managers that answers the question asked, respects medical confidentiality and avoids unnecessary clinical detail. Communicate sensitively with employers who may hold differing views, using negotiation and persuasion to reach workable outcomes for the patient. Build constructive relationships with referring practices, providing feedback that supports referral quality and confidence in the pilot model.Clinical governance, safety and record keeping Practise at all times within the NMC Code, professional standards, pilot protocols and standard operating procedures. Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legible records in the approved clinical system, in line with the Data Sharing Agreement and information governance requirements. Obtain and record valid informed consent for assessment, for information sharing and for any contact with employers or third parties. Discharge safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults at risk, escalating concerns in accordance with agreed policy. Report incidents, near misses, complaints and risks through the pilot governance framework, and contribute to learning from them. Take part in virtual clinical supervision, case review and multidisciplinary discussion, including reflective review of complex or contested cases. Maintain professional indemnity and NMC registration, and comply with revalidation requirements.Service design, data and evaluation Contribute to the development and refinement of assessment templates, triage criteria, escalation thresholds, business rules and standard operating procedures as the pilot matures. Capture the agreed management information and evaluation data set accurately and at the point of care, understanding that incomplete data weakens the national evidence base. Take part in audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and test-and-learn cycles, and act on the findings. Support the independent national evaluation, including interviews, case note review and data collection, within the limits of patient confidentiality.Education, promotion and professional development Promote the pilot positively to practices, patients, employers and partners. Provide informal supervision, coaching and clinical advice to non-clinical members of the team. Maintain and extend personal expertise in occupational health, work and health policy and fitness for work assessment; undertake training identified as necessary for the role, including any pilot-specific training. Take part in appraisal, personal development planning and mandatory training.Working arrangementsContract and hours This is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model. Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours, such as Saturday working. The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.Location and in-person attendance Live in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted. Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only. Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction. Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.Suitable home working environment Have a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication. Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them. Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems. Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls. Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements. Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.Information governance and cyber security Use only MBPCC-issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems. Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems. Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient-identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised. Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient-related calls from public places. Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.Audit and monitoringBecause this post involves remote access to patient-identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including: Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review. Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable. Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested. Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training. Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one-to-ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit. Quarterly one-to-one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.Availability, communication and wellbeing Work contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly. Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance.

Person Specification

Remote working, confidentiality and IG

Essential

• Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment
• Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals
• Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities
• Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working
• Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes
• Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Ability to assess functional capacity and to relate health conditions to the demands of work
• Understanding of the principles of fitness for work assessment and the health benefits of good work
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex clinical information clearly and sensitively to patients, employers and non-clinical colleagues
• Negotiation, motivational and de-escalation skills, including where professional opinions differ
• Sound understanding of consent, confidentiality, information governance and the boundaries of disclosure to third parties
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults at risk
• Competent use of clinical record systems and Microsoft 365, including Teams for virtual consultation and meetings
• Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video
• Ability to record data accurately and consistently for reporting and evaluation purposes

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 as it applies to reasonable adjustments in the workplace
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
• Understanding of the national fit note reform policy context and the Workability Plan model
• Familiarity with EMIS or occupational health information systems
• Understanding of audit and quality improvement methodology
• Knowledge of local employment support, WorkWell and VCFSE provision

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Comfortable working in a new, evolving service where processes are still being designed and tested
• Self-directed and able to work autonomously from home, managing own time while recognising the limits of personal competence
• Resilient, tactful and diplomatic when dealing with distressed patients or contested cases
• Non-judgemental, person-centred approach with a commitment to reducing health inequalities
• Collaborative and willing to contribute to shared learning and reflective practice
• Committed to accurate record keeping and to the integrity of the pilot evidence base

Desirable

• Enthusiasm for influencing national policy through a test-and-learn programme

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse on the NMC register, Part 1 (Adult, Mental Health or Learning Disability) or Registered Midwife, with a current unrestricted registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development and compliance with NMC revalidation
• Willingness to undertake pilot-specific training in workability assessment, fit note practice and work and health conversations

Desirable

• Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Occupational Health) registration, or an occupational health degree, diploma or certificate
• Degree or postgraduate study in occupational health, public health or a related field
• Training in fit note completion or DWP work and health assessment
• Teaching, assessing or mentoring qualification
• Motivational interviewing, health coaching or case management training

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration experience as an autonomous practitioner
• Experience of undertaking structured clinical assessment and formulating advice or recommendations independently
• Experience of managing a personal caseload and prioritising competing demands without close supervision
• Experience of producing clear written reports or care records for a non-clinical audience
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience in occupational health, or a demonstrable interest in occupational health and the work and health agenda
• Practical experience of issuing, advising on or contributing to fit notes
• Experience of management referral or case management consultations
• Experience of sickness absence management, rehabilitation or return to work planning
• Experience of liaising directly with employers, HR or line managers
• Experience of working in primary care, community services or a WorkWell or vocational rehabilitation service
• Experience of contributing to service design, pilots, audit or quality improvement
• Experience of remote or telephone consultation

Other requirements

Essential

• Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment
• Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face-to-face induction
• Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance
• Flexible approach to working patterns and duties in line with service requirements
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check at the level appropriate to the post
• Able to commit to the full 12-month pilot period

Desirable

• Availability for occasional work outside core hours to accommodate working patients and employers

Person Specification Remote working, confidentiality and IG Essential Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements Knowledge & Skills Essential Ability to assess functional capacity and to relate health conditions to the demands of work Understanding of the principles of fitness for work assessment and the health benefits of good work Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex clinical information clearly and sensitively to patients, employers and non-clinical colleagues Negotiation, motivational and de-escalation skills, including where professional opinions differ Sound understanding of consent, confidentiality, information governance and the boundaries of disclosure to third parties Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults at risk Competent use of clinical record systems and Microsoft 365, including Teams for virtual consultation and meetings Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video Ability to record data accurately and consistently for reporting and evaluation purposes Desirable Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 as it applies to reasonable adjustments in the workplace Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation Understanding of the national fit note reform policy context and the Workability Plan model Familiarity with EMIS or occupational health information systems Understanding of audit and quality improvement methodology Knowledge of local employment support, WorkWell and VCFSE provision Personal Qualities Essential Comfortable working in a new, evolving service where processes are still being designed and tested Self-directed and able to work autonomously from home, managing own time while recognising the limits of personal competence Resilient, tactful and diplomatic when dealing with distressed patients or contested cases Non-judgemental, person-centred approach with a commitment to reducing health inequalities Collaborative and willing to contribute to shared learning and reflective practice Committed to accurate record keeping and to the integrity of the pilot evidence base Desirable Enthusiasm for influencing national policy through a test-and-learn programme Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse on the NMC register, Part 1 (Adult, Mental Health or Learning Disability) or Registered Midwife, with a current unrestricted registration Evidence of continuing professional development and compliance with NMC revalidation Willingness to undertake pilot-specific training in workability assessment, fit note practice and work and health conversations Desirable Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Occupational Health) registration, or an occupational health degree, diploma or certificate Degree or postgraduate study in occupational health, public health or a related field Training in fit note completion or DWP work and health assessment Teaching, assessing or mentoring qualification Motivational interviewing, health coaching or case management training Experience Essential Significant post-registration experience as an autonomous practitioner Experience of undertaking structured clinical assessment and formulating advice or recommendations independently Experience of managing a personal caseload and prioritising competing demands without close supervision Experience of producing clear written reports or care records for a non-clinical audience Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Desirable Experience in occupational health, or a demonstrable interest in occupational health and the work and health agenda Practical experience of issuing, advising on or contributing to fit notes Experience of management referral or case management consultations Experience of sickness absence management, rehabilitation or return to work planning Experience of liaising directly with employers, HR or line managers Experience of working in primary care, community services or a WorkWell or vocational rehabilitation service Experience of contributing to service design, pilots, audit or quality improvement Experience of remote or telephone consultation Other requirements Essential Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face-to-face induction Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance Flexible approach to working patterns and duties in line with service requirements Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check at the level appropriate to the post Able to commit to the full 12-month pilot period Desirable Availability for occasional work outside core hours to accommodate working patients and employers

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention for working-age adults whose health is affecting their ability to stay in or return to work, as part of the Enable service. The post is home-based, with consultations delivered by telephone and video.

• Carry out functional and work-focused assessments with patients from pilot GP practices who request a fit note.

• Issue and sign fit notes as the certifying healthcare professional.

• Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients, setting practical, occupation-focused goals to support a sustainable return to work.

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Health Nurses and admin team.

• Record activity and outcomes accurately so the pilot can supply data and learning to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities

Fit note certification

• Assess patients' fitness for work and issue and sign fit notes in your own name, as permitted for HCPC-registered occupational therapists under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

• Assess the patient by video or telephone consultation, or by reviewing a written report from another healthcare professional, before issuing a fit note.

• Certify only within your own scope of practice and competence. Refer to the ANP or Clinical Lead when the presenting condition, complexity or risk falls outside it.

• Issue fit notes through EMIS, including correct dates, condition wording and review periods.

• Meet the service turnaround standard for fit note requests (currently 3 working days).

• Take part in audit of your fit notes for quality and consistency, and act on feedback from the Clinical Lead.

About us

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home-based: consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.

The service expects to handle more than 20,000 fit note requests a year at full rollout.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,000 to £39,000 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0160-26-0033

Job locations

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Fit note certification

• Assess patients' fitness for work and issue and sign fit notes in your own name, as permitted for HCPC-registered occupational therapists under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

• Assess the patient by video or telephone consultation, or by reviewing a written report from another healthcare professional, before issuing a fit note.

• Certify only within your own scope of practice and competence. Refer to the ANP or Clinical Lead when the presenting condition, complexity or risk falls outside it.

• Issue fit notes through EMIS, including correct dates, condition wording and review periods.

• Meet the service turnaround standard for fit note requests (currently 3 working days).

• Take part in audit of your fit notes for quality and consistency, and act on feedback from the Clinical Lead.

Clinical assessment and workability plans

• Manage a defined caseload of working-age adults referred through the fit note pathway.

• Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients, assessing physical, cognitive, psychological and environmental factors affecting work through remote assessment.

• Where an in-person functional assessment is clinically necessary, arrange this through agreed pathways and record the rationale.

• Advise on graded return to work, activity pacing, fatigue and symptom management, and practical workplace adjustments.

• With the patient's explicit agreement, liaise with employers by telephone, video or in writing about reasonable adjustments and return-to-work arrangements.

• Signpost and refer to other services and community resources.

• Identify and act on risk, including mental health risk, escalating promptly to the Clinical Lead and Advanced Nurse Practitioner. At the start of each remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, location and a contact number.

• Undertake comprehensive assessments of occupational performance, functional capability and the impact of physical, mental health and social factors on work participation.

• Assess an individual's ability to undertake the functional demands of their role and identify opportunities for reasonable workplace adjustments and support.

• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, deterioration in mental or physical health and risks which may impact patient safety or ability to work.

• Escalate concerns in accordance with organisational policies and agreed clinical pathways.

Communication and teamwork

• Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive information about health and work, adapting to each patient's needs and overcoming barriers to understanding, including those that arise in telephone and video consultations.

• Work as an active member of the Enable multidisciplinary team and attend virtual team meetings, case discussions and huddles.

• Build good working relationships with pilot GP practices, PCN teams and partner organisations.

• Contribute an occupational therapy perspective to the development of pathways, templates and patient information.

Records, data and evaluation

• Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS to professional and MBPCC standards.
• Record activity and outcome data accurately and on time, as needed for DWP evaluation.

• Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement, including sharing learning from the pilot.

Professional development

• Take part in annual appraisal and agree a personal development plan.

• Maintain a CPD portfolio that meets HCPC requirements.

• Develop knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, occupational health and work and health policy.

Working arrangements

Contract and hours

• This is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.

• Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours, such as Saturday working.

• The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period, and to lead others through that change.

This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.

Location and in-person attendance

• Live in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.

• Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only.

• Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction.

• Attend MBPCC head office when equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.

Suitable home working environment

• Have a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.

• Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.

• Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.

• Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.

• Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.

• Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.

Information governance and cyber security

• Use only MBPCC-issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems.

• Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems.

• Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient-identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised.

• Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient-related calls from public places.

• Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.

Audit and monitoring

Because this post involves remote access to patient-identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including:

• Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review.

• Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable.

• Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested.

• Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training.

• Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one-to-ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit.

• Quarterly one-to-one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.

Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.

Availability, communication and wellbeing

• Work contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly.

• Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.

• Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance and use agreed routes (Teams or telephone) to escalate clinical risk to the Clinical Lead or Advanced Nurse Practitioner without delay.

• Take regular screen breaks, raise wellbeing or workload concerns early, and report any accident that happens during work activities.

• If you become unwell while working, tell your manager at the earliest opportunity, stop work if you are unfit to continue and follow normal sickness reporting procedures.

Remote working, confidentiality and information governance

The successful candidate will be required to work remotely whilst maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, information security and professional conduct. These essential requirements are also assessed through the person specification.

Essential requirements

• Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information.

• Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals.

• Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities.

• Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working.

• Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes.

Job description Job responsibilities Fit note certificationAssess patients' fitness for work and issue and sign fit notes in your own name, as permitted for HCPC-registered occupational therapists under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.Assess the patient by video or telephone consultation, or by reviewing a written report from another healthcare professional, before issuing a fit note.Certify only within your own scope of practice and competence. Refer to the ANP or Clinical Lead when the presenting condition, complexity or risk falls outside it.Issue fit notes through EMIS, including correct dates, condition wording and review periods.Meet the service turnaround standard for fit note requests (currently 3 working days).Take part in audit of your fit notes for quality and consistency, and act on feedback from the Clinical Lead.Clinical assessment and workability plansManage a defined caseload of working-age adults referred through the fit note pathway.Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients, assessing physical, cognitive, psychological and environmental factors affecting work through remote assessment.Where an in-person functional assessment is clinically necessary, arrange this through agreed pathways and record the rationale.Advise on graded return to work, activity pacing, fatigue and symptom management, and practical workplace adjustments.With the patient's explicit agreement, liaise with employers by telephone, video or in writing about reasonable adjustments and return-to-work arrangements.Signpost and refer to other services and community resources.Identify and act on risk, including mental health risk, escalating promptly to the Clinical Lead and Advanced Nurse Practitioner. At the start of each remote consultation, confirm the patient's identity, location and a contact number.Undertake comprehensive assessments of occupational performance, functional capability and the impact of physical, mental health and social factors on work participation.Assess an individual's ability to undertake the functional demands of their role and identify opportunities for reasonable workplace adjustments and support.Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, deterioration in mental or physical health and risks which may impact patient safety or ability to work.Escalate concerns in accordance with organisational policies and agreed clinical pathways.Communication and teamworkCommunicate complex and sometimes sensitive information about health and work, adapting to each patient's needs and overcoming barriers to understanding, including those that arise in telephone and video consultations.Work as an active member of the Enable multidisciplinary team and attend virtual team meetings, case discussions and huddles.Build good working relationships with pilot GP practices, PCN teams and partner organisations.Contribute an occupational therapy perspective to the development of pathways, templates and patient information.Records, data and evaluationKeep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS to professional and MBPCC standards.Record activity and outcome data accurately and on time, as needed for DWP evaluation.Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement, including sharing learning from the pilot.Professional developmentTake part in annual appraisal and agree a personal development plan.Maintain a CPD portfolio that meets HCPC requirements.Develop knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, occupational health and work and health policy.Working arrangementsContract and hoursThis is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours, such as Saturday working.The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period, and to lead others through that change.This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.Location and in-person attendanceLive in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only.Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction.Attend MBPCC head office when equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.Suitable home working environmentHave a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.Information governance and cyber securityUse only MBPCC-issued devices, organisational accounts and approved systems and video conferencing platforms. Do not store confidential information on personal or unapproved systems.Lock screens when away from the workstation, keep passwords, smartcards and fingerprint access to yourself, and do not allow anyone else to use MBPCC devices or systems.Verify who is present before discussing confidential information, share only the minimum necessary, and keep patient-identifiable information out of chat functions unless clinically necessary and authorised.Do not record, screenshot or photograph consultations, meetings or training unless this has been authorised. Do not join patient-related calls from public places.Secure and dispose of any paper records using approved methods, and report any information governance or cyber security incident immediately.Audit and monitoringBecause this post involves remote access to patient-identifiable clinical information, enhanced governance controls apply. The post holder will be subject to audit and monitoring, including:Periodic information governance audits and an annual information governance review.Verification that the home working environment is, and remains, secure and suitable.Asset and equipment audits, at least annually. MBPCC equipment remains organisational property and must be cared for, faults reported promptly and items returned when requested.Compliance monitoring of mandatory training, information governance and cyber security training.Monitoring of availability, activity and performance against service standards, through one-to-ones, work plans, activity schedules, supervision and clinical audit.Quarterly one-to-one and wellbeing reviews, and an annual review of the home working arrangement.Failure to meet these requirements may be managed under MBPCC's disciplinary, information governance and data protection procedures.Availability, communication and wellbeingWork contracted hours, be visible and contactable during agreed working times, keep your electronic calendar up to date and respond to communications promptly.Attend virtual team meetings, huddles, multidisciplinary discussions, supervision and training punctually and in full. Training during working hours is working time and must not be combined with caring or domestic tasks.Follow the MBPCC Lone Working Guidance and use agreed routes (Teams or telephone) to escalate clinical risk to the Clinical Lead or Advanced Nurse Practitioner without delay.Take regular screen breaks, raise wellbeing or workload concerns early, and report any accident that happens during work activities.If you become unwell while working, tell your manager at the earliest opportunity, stop work if you are unfit to continue and follow normal sickness reporting procedures.Remote working, confidentiality and information governanceThe successful candidate will be required to work remotely whilst maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, information security and professional conduct. These essential requirements are also assessed through the person specification.Essential requirementsAbility to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information.Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals.Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities.Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working.Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes.

Person Specification

Registration

Essential

• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, with no conditions affecting practice

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy

Desirable

• Vocational rehabilitation or occupational health qualification or module

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Understanding of how health conditions affect function and the ability to work
• Understanding of clinical risk assessment, safeguarding and when to escalate
• Understanding of confidentiality, consent and information governance
• Knowledge of workplace adjustments, graded return-to-work approaches and vocational rehabilitation interventions.
• Knowledge of the fit note, Statutory Sick Pay, Access to Work and understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and the principles of reasonable workplace adjustments.
• Clear, professional decision-making on fitness for work within own scope of practice
• Effective verbal and written communication, including sensitive conversations about health and work
• Good IT skills, including using clinical systems, Microsoft 365 and Teams to record consultations and data
• Able to manage own time and prioritise a caseload to meet turnaround standards
• Ability to undertake effective occupational therapy assessment and intervention through telephone and video consultation.
• Ability to formulate practical workplace recommendations based on functional assessment findings.

Desirable

• Awareness of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot and national work and health policy
• Knowledge of standardised work-related assessments, such as the Worker Role Interview or Work Environment Impact Scale
• Experience of quality improvement or service evaluation
• Motivational interviewing or health coaching skills
• Experience of EMIS, AccuRx or another GP clinical system

Experience

Essential

• At least 12 months' post-registration OT experience, including preceptorship, with working-age adults in physical or mental health
• Experience of assessing and managing an individual caseload
• Experience of vocational rehabilitation, workability assessments, return-to-work planning or employment-focused occupational therapy interventions.
• Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test-and-learn environment.

Desirable

• Experience in primary care, occupational health, vocational rehabilitation, musculoskeletal or community mental health services
• Experience of telephone or video consultations

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Commitment to person-centred, enabling practice that supports people to stay in or return to work
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a new multidisciplinary team, using supervision well
• Flexible and comfortable working in a pilot where processes are still being developed
• Self-motivated and well organised, able to stay connected to the team while working from home
• Ability to build rapport and assess risk within a remote working environment.

Other

Essential

• Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment
• Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face-to-face induction
• Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance

Remote working, Confidentiality and IG

Essential

• Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment
• Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals
• Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities
• Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working
• Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes
• Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements

Person Specification Registration Essential Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, with no conditions affecting practice Desirable Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Qualifications Essential Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy Desirable Vocational rehabilitation or occupational health qualification or module Knowledge & Skills Essential Understanding of how health conditions affect function and the ability to work Understanding of clinical risk assessment, safeguarding and when to escalate Understanding of confidentiality, consent and information governance Knowledge of workplace adjustments, graded return-to-work approaches and vocational rehabilitation interventions. Knowledge of the fit note, Statutory Sick Pay, Access to Work and understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and the principles of reasonable workplace adjustments. Clear, professional decision-making on fitness for work within own scope of practice Effective verbal and written communication, including sensitive conversations about health and work Good IT skills, including using clinical systems, Microsoft 365 and Teams to record consultations and data Able to manage own time and prioritise a caseload to meet turnaround standards Ability to undertake effective occupational therapy assessment and intervention through telephone and video consultation. Ability to formulate practical workplace recommendations based on functional assessment findings. Desirable Awareness of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot and national work and health policy Knowledge of standardised work-related assessments, such as the Worker Role Interview or Work Environment Impact Scale Experience of quality improvement or service evaluation Motivational interviewing or health coaching skills Experience of EMIS, AccuRx or another GP clinical system Experience Essential At least 12 months' post-registration OT experience, including preceptorship, with working-age adults in physical or mental health Experience of assessing and managing an individual caseload Experience of vocational rehabilitation, workability assessments, return-to-work planning or employment-focused occupational therapy interventions. Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test-and-learn environment. Desirable Experience in primary care, occupational health, vocational rehabilitation, musculoskeletal or community mental health services Experience of telephone or video consultations Personal Qualities Essential Commitment to person-centred, enabling practice that supports people to stay in or return to work Able to work autonomously and as part of a new multidisciplinary team, using supervision well Flexible and comfortable working in a pilot where processes are still being developed Self-motivated and well organised, able to stay connected to the team while working from home Ability to build rapport and assess risk within a remote working environment. Other Essential Lives in the UK and able to work from a UK address for the duration of employment Willing and able to travel to MBPCC head office to collect equipment and attend a face-to-face induction Accepts audit and monitoring of home working arrangements, clinical records and information governance compliance Satisfactory enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance Remote working, Confidentiality and IG Essential Ability to maintain a secure, private and professional remote working environment suitable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information, with reliable broadband and meeting the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment Ability to conduct telephone, video and online meetings in a location where conversations cannot be overheard by unauthorised individuals Demonstrable understanding of confidentiality, information governance, cyber security and data protection responsibilities Commitment to complying with all organisational policies relating to information governance, confidentiality, records management, acceptable use of IT systems and remote working Ability to process, access, store, share and dispose of information securely and only for authorised business purposes Ability to work independently, manage workload effectively and maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

Remote

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

The First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. Working from home, you will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage by telephone and video, without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, hands-on examination, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Main duties of the job

Work as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone and video, using structured remote assessment, including guided self-examination and observed movement over video where appropriate.Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.Where a hands-on examination is clinically necessary to reach a safe decision, arrange face-to-face assessment through agreed pathways (for example the patient's practice or the local MSK service) and record the rationale.Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, using approved digital resources, and agree realistic goals with each patient.Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.Work within your professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and the MBPCC governance framework.Request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management.

About us

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home-based: consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,000 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

B0160-26-0030

Job locations

Remote/Home Working

All UK

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a home-based post

• Home-based: you will work from your home in the UK, delivering consultations by telephone and video.

• UK only: you must live in the UK and carry out all work from within the UK.

• In person at the start: you must be willing to travel to MBPCC head office in Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 6HQ to collect your equipment and attend a face-to-face induction.

• Suitable environment: you must have a private, secure and suitable space to work from, with reliable broadband.

• Audit and monitoring: your home working arrangements, records and information governance compliance will be audited and monitored.

About Enable and MBPCC

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home-based: consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.

Job purpose

The First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. Working from home, you will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage by telephone and video, without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, hands-on examination, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Key responsibilities

Clinical assessment and management

• Work as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone and video, using structured remote assessment, including guided self-examination and observed movement over video where appropriate.

• Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.

• Where a hands-on examination is clinically necessary to reach a safe decision, arrange face-to-face assessment through agreed pathways (for example the patient's practice or the local MSK service) and record the rationale.

• Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, using approved digital resources, and agree realistic goals with each patient.

• Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.

• Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.

• Work within your professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and the MBPCC governance framework.

• Request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management. Requests must be clinically justified, recorded in the patient record and made in line with local referral and diagnostic pathways.

• Discuss with, or refer to, the Enable Clinical Lead, GP or other appropriately qualified clinician any investigation or referral outside your authorised scope of practice.

• Maintain evidence of competency for all investigation requesting activity and take part in audit and clinical supervision arrangements.

Work and health

• Complete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is an MSK condition.

• Assess the physical demands of the patient's job and recommend practical adjustments (phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace or equipment changes).

• With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers by telephone, video or in writing to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.

• Assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance, once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead. Physiotherapists are legally able to certify fit notes.

• Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.

Multidisciplinary working and advice

• Act as the MSK lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice by Teams or telephone to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on MSK presentations.

• Take part in virtual multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases, particularly where physical and mental health needs overlap.

• Develop and deliver short virtual training sessions for the team on MSK conditions, red flags and work-focused conversations.

Records, data and governance

• Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.

• Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.

• Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.

• Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.

Service development

• Help design and refine the Enable MSK pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.

• Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.

• Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.

Professional development

• Maintain HCPC registration and practise in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.

• Attend monthly clinical supervision (delivered virtually) and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.

• Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.

Working arrangements

Contract and hours

• This is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.

• The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.

This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.

Location and in-person attendance

• Live in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.

• Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only.

• Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction.

• Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.

Suitable home working environment

• Have a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.

• Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.

• Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.

• Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.

• Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.

• Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.

Job description Job responsibilities This is a home-based postHome-based: you will work from your home in the UK, delivering consultations by telephone and video.UK only: you must live in the UK and carry out all work from within the UK.In person at the start: you must be willing to travel to MBPCC head office in Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 6HQ to collect your equipment and attend a face-to-face induction.Suitable environment: you must have a private, secure and suitable space to work from, with reliable broadband.Audit and monitoring: your home working arrangements, records and information governance compliance will be audited and monitored.About Enable and MBPCCEnable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. Employers are contacted only with the patient's explicit agreement. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X-on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires. This post is home-based: consultations are delivered by telephone and video, and the post holder works with the Enable team through Microsoft Teams and the service's clinical systems.Job purposeThe First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. Working from home, you will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage by telephone and video, without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, hands-on examination, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.Key responsibilitiesClinical assessment and managementWork as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone and video, using structured remote assessment, including guided self-examination and observed movement over video where appropriate.Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.Where a hands-on examination is clinically necessary to reach a safe decision, arrange face-to-face assessment through agreed pathways (for example the patient's practice or the local MSK service) and record the rationale.Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, using approved digital resources, and agree realistic goals with each patient.Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.Work within your professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and the MBPCC governance framework.Request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management. Requests must be clinically justified, recorded in the patient record and made in line with local referral and diagnostic pathways.Discuss with, or refer to, the Enable Clinical Lead, GP or other appropriately qualified clinician any investigation or referral outside your authorised scope of practice.Maintain evidence of competency for all investigation requesting activity and take part in audit and clinical supervision arrangements.Work and healthComplete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is an MSK condition.Assess the physical demands of the patient's job and recommend practical adjustments (phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace or equipment changes).With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers by telephone, video or in writing to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.Assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance, once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead. Physiotherapists are legally able to certify fit notes.Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.Multidisciplinary working and adviceAct as the MSK lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice by Teams or telephone to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on MSK presentations.Take part in virtual multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases, particularly where physical and mental health needs overlap.Develop and deliver short virtual training sessions for the team on MSK conditions, red flags and work-focused conversations.Records, data and governanceKeep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.Service developmentHelp design and refine the Enable MSK pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.Professional developmentMaintain HCPC registration and practise in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.Attend monthly clinical supervision (delivered virtually) and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.Working arrangementsContract and hoursThis is a fixed-term post funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period.This is a home-based post. MBPCC's Homeworking, Hybrid Working and Remote Learning Guidance applies in full, and the post holder remains subject to the same professional, contractual, governance and performance expectations as staff working from MBPCC premises.Location and in-person attendanceLive in the UK and carry out all work from a UK address for the duration of employment. Working from outside the UK is not permitted.Deliver patient consultations remotely by telephone and video, using MBPCC-approved systems only.Travel to MBPCC head office at the start of employment to collect MBPCC equipment and to attend a face-to-face induction.Attend MBPCC head office again where equipment needs to be collected, exchanged or returned, including at the end of employment.Suitable home working environmentHave a suitable, dedicated workspace that supports concentration, minimises distractions and enables professional communication.Ensure consultations and confidential conversations cannot be overheard, and that screens cannot be seen by family members, visitors or anyone else not authorised to view them.Have a suitable desk or workstation, appropriate seating, adequate lighting, ventilation and heating, and reliable internet access sufficient for video consultations and clinical systems.Use a headset whenever patient or confidential information is being discussed, and use the MBPCC background on video calls.Complete the MBPCC Homeworking Self-Assessment (including display screen equipment) and sign the Employee Homeworking Agreement before starting, and tell your manager of any significant change to your home working arrangements.Home working is not a replacement for childcare or dependant care arrangements. Where caring responsibilities affect your ability to work, discuss this with your manager.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• -Substantial post-registration MSK experience, including autonomous outpatient practice at Band 6 or above
• -Assessing and managing undifferentiated MSK conditions, including recognising serious pathology
• -Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions
• -Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies
• -Experience of vocational rehabilitation, workability assessment, graduated return-to-work planning or employment-focused musculoskeletal interventions.
• -Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test-and-learn environment.

Desirable

• -Experience as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care
• -Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work
• -Occupational health, vocational rehabilitation or work-conditioning experience
• -Experience of delivering training to other professionals; experience in a pilot or service development project
• -Experience of remote MSK assessment by telephone or video

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• -Evidence-based assessment and management of MSK conditions, including red flags
• -Safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and informed consent
• -Psychosocial factors in MSK pain and their effect on work
• -Understanding of the Equality Act 2010, reasonable workplace adjustments and their application in supporting work participation.
• -Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters
• -Advanced clinical reasoning and shared decision-making
• -Confident with IT and accurate data entry, including Microsoft 365 and Teams
• -Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video, and recognising when a remote assessment is not safe or sufficient

Desirable

• -The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health
• -MSK services and pathways in South Cumbria
• -Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions
• -Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey
• -Analysing and presenting service data

Qualifications

Essential

• - Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy, with current, unrestricted HCPC registration
• - Completed Stage 1 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap (or equivalent evidence of FCP competence)
• - Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• - Master's-level modules or qualification in MSK or advanced practice
• - Completed Stage 2 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap
• - Injection therapy or non-medical prescribing qualification

Person Specification Experience Essential -Substantial post-registration MSK experience, including autonomous outpatient practice at Band 6 or above -Assessing and managing undifferentiated MSK conditions, including recognising serious pathology -Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions -Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies -Experience of vocational rehabilitation, workability assessment, graduated return-to-work planning or employment-focused musculoskeletal interventions. -Ability to contribute to pathway design, quality improvement, audit and service evaluation within a test-and-learn environment. Desirable -Experience as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care -Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work -Occupational health, vocational rehabilitation or work-conditioning experience -Experience of delivering training to other professionals; experience in a pilot or service development project -Experience of remote MSK assessment by telephone or video Knowledge and Skills Essential -Evidence-based assessment and management of MSK conditions, including red flags -Safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and informed consent -Psychosocial factors in MSK pain and their effect on work -Understanding of the Equality Act 2010, reasonable workplace adjustments and their application in supporting work participation. -Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters -Advanced clinical reasoning and shared decision-making -Confident with IT and accurate data entry, including Microsoft 365 and Teams -Confident delivering consultations by telephone and video, and recognising when a remote assessment is not safe or sufficient Desirable -The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health -MSK services and pathways in South Cumbria -Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions -Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey -Analysing and presenting service data Qualifications Essential - Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy, with current, unrestricted HCPC registration - Completed Stage 1 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap (or equivalent evidence of FCP competence) - Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable - Master's-level modules or qualification in MSK or advanced practice - Completed Stage 2 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap - Injection therapy or non-medical prescribing qualification

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

All UK

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Remote/Home Working

All UK

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

The Mental Health Practitioner is the Enable team's specialist for working-age adults whose mental health affects their ability to work. You will see patients referred through Enable triage, assess their mental health, risk and work situation, and agree a time-limited, work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

You will also be the team's source of mental health expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages mental health presentations. This is a primary care, early-intervention role; it is not a crisis or secondary care service. Patients needing longer-term or specialist treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Main duties of the job

Clinical assessment and intervention

• Carry out holistic bio-psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems (for example anxiety, depression and work-related stress) by telephone, video or face to face.

• Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.

• Agree a time-limited, work-focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow-up contacts. Draw on evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self-help and graded return to work.

• Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (PHQ-9, GAD-7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.

• Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies (including employment advisers), community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.

• Provide clear, concise feedback to the referring clinician and the patient's GP, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider. The post holder will undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and make referrals through agreed pathways.

About us

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative is the largest employer of Primary Care colleagues in South Cumbria, we are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, and work to support, guide and underpin primary medical care across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

We deeply value education and learning, hosting the Lancashire and South Cumbria Training Hub. We have a great team on our board that guide our organisation, and you will be supported to excel in your role.

Details

Date posted

29 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,000 a year Pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0160-26-0029

Job locations

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

Clinical assessment and intervention

• Carry out holistic bio psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems, for example anxiety, depression and work-related stress by telephone, video or face to face.

• Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.

• Agree a time limited, work focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow up contacts. Draw on evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self help and graded return to work.

• Use validated outcome measures at agreed points PHQ 9, GAD 7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale to track progress and inform decisions.

• Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies including employment advisers, community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.

• Provide clear, concise feedback to the referring clinician and the patient's GP, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider. The post holder will undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and make referrals through agreed pathways.

• The post holder is not expected to independently request diagnostic investigations unless specifically authorised through professional registration, local policy and competency assessment.

• Where clinical investigations are indicated, recommendations will be communicated to the patient's GP or an appropriately authorised clinician for consideration.

• The post holder will work within the limits of their professional competence and seek advice from the Enable Clinical Lead where required.

Work and health

• Complete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is their mental health, within the standard appointment time potentially 50 minutes

• Identify workplace factors that affect mental health, using recognised frameworks such as the HSE Management Standards, and recommend practical adjustments, phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace adaptations.

• With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.

• Where your registration permits and once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead, assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance. Registered Mental Health Nurses and Occupational Therapists are legally able to certify fit notes.

• Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.

Multidisciplinary working and advice

• Act as the mental health lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on mental health presentations and risk.

• Take part in multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases.

• Develop and deliver short training sessions for the team on mental health, risk, and work focused conversations.

• Build working relationships with local mental health services, NHS Talking Therapies, the participating practices and voluntary sector partners so that referral routes in and out of Enable are clear.

Records, data and governance

• Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.

• Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.

• Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.

• Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.

Service development

• Help design and refine the Enable mental health pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.

• Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.

• Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.

Professional development

• Maintain professional registration and meet NMC or HCPC standards and revalidation requirements.

• Attend monthly clinical supervision and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.

• Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.

Working relationships

Internal

• Enable Clinical Lead

• Enable Operational Lead

• Enable team including: Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health Nurses

• Enable administrative team

External

• Patients, and their families and carers with the patient's agreement

• GPs and staff at participating practices in Barrow and Mid Furness PCNs

• NHS Talking Therapies, including employment advisers

• Community mental health teams and crisis services

• Employers, with the patient's explicit agreement

• Department for Work and Pensions and the pilot evaluators

• Voluntary sector, Access to Work and local support services

General responsibilities

• Safeguarding - Follow MBPCC and local multi agency safeguarding procedures for adults and children, and complete safeguarding training at the level required for the role.

• Information governance - Handle all personal and patient information in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and data sharing agreement.

• Health and safety - Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow the MBPCC lone working policy, and report hazards and incidents promptly.

• Infection prevention and control - Follow infection prevention and control policies when seeing patients face to face.

• Equality, diversity and inclusion - Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect, challenge discrimination, and make reasonable adjustments so that the service is accessible to everyone.

• Professional conduct - Work within the NMC Code or HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and within the limits of your own competence.

• Flexibility - This job description reflects the role at the start of the pilot. Duties may change as the service develops, in discussion with the post holder.

Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilitiesClinical assessment and interventionCarry out holistic bio psychosocial assessments of adults referred with common mental health problems, for example anxiety, depression and work-related stress by telephone, video or face to face.Complete a structured risk assessment at every contact. Escalate urgent risk the same day through the crisis, safeguarding and GP pathways, and record the decision and rationale.Agree a time limited, work focused plan with each patient, typically an assessment and up to three follow up contacts. Draw on evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing, behavioural activation, problem solving, guided self help and graded return to work.Use validated outcome measures at agreed points PHQ 9, GAD 7 and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale to track progress and inform decisions.Refer or signpost to NHS Talking Therapies including employment advisers, community mental health teams, Access to Work, the Enable Social Prescriber and voluntary sector services, and follow up that the referral was received.Provide clear, concise feedback to the referring clinician and the patient's GP, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider. The post holder will undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and make referrals through agreed pathways.The post holder is not expected to independently request diagnostic investigations unless specifically authorised through professional registration, local policy and competency assessment.Where clinical investigations are indicated, recommendations will be communicated to the patient's GP or an appropriately authorised clinician for consideration.The post holder will work within the limits of their professional competence and seek advice from the Enable Clinical Lead where required.Work and healthComplete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is their mental health, within the standard appointment time potentially 50 minutesIdentify workplace factors that affect mental health, using recognised frameworks such as the HSE Management Standards, and recommend practical adjustments, phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace adaptations.With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.Where your registration permits and once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead, assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance. Registered Mental Health Nurses and Occupational Therapists are legally able to certify fit notes.Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.Multidisciplinary working and adviceAct as the mental health lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on mental health presentations and risk.Take part in multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases.Develop and deliver short training sessions for the team on mental health, risk, and work focused conversations.Build working relationships with local mental health services, NHS Talking Therapies, the participating practices and voluntary sector partners so that referral routes in and out of Enable are clear.Records, data and governanceKeep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.Service developmentHelp design and refine the Enable mental health pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.Professional developmentMaintain professional registration and meet NMC or HCPC standards and revalidation requirements.Attend monthly clinical supervision and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.Working relationshipsInternalEnable Clinical LeadEnable Operational LeadEnable team including: Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health NursesEnable administrative teamExternalPatients, and their families and carers with the patient's agreementGPs and staff at participating practices in Barrow and Mid Furness PCNsNHS Talking Therapies, including employment advisersCommunity mental health teams and crisis servicesEmployers, with the patient's explicit agreementDepartment for Work and Pensions and the pilot evaluatorsVoluntary sector, Access to Work and local support servicesGeneral responsibilitiesSafeguarding - Follow MBPCC and local multi agency safeguarding procedures for adults and children, and complete safeguarding training at the level required for the role.Information governance - Handle all personal and patient information in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and data sharing agreement.Health and safety - Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow the MBPCC lone working policy, and report hazards and incidents promptly.Infection prevention and control - Follow infection prevention and control policies when seeing patients face to face.Equality, diversity and inclusion - Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect, challenge discrimination, and make reasonable adjustments so that the service is accessible to everyone.Professional conduct - Work within the NMC Code or HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and within the limits of your own competence.Flexibility - This job description reflects the role at the start of the pilot. Duties may change as the service develops, in discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• At least 2 years post registration experience in adult mental health
• Independent assessment and risk management of adults with mental health problems
• Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions
• Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies

Desirable

• Experience in primary care, NHS Talking Therapies or an occupational health setting
• Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work
• Experience in a pilot, service development or evaluation project
• Experience of delivering training to other professionals

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Committed to helping people stay in or return to work, with a recovery focused, strengths based approach
• Comfortable with change and able to work in a new, evolving service
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team, and to prioritise under pressure

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse - NMC Register
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in a mental health intervention, for example CBT, low intensity CBT or motivational interviewing.
• Occupational health or vocational rehabilitation qualification, practice educator or mentorship qualification.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Evidence based brief interventions for common mental health problems
• Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and adult and child safeguarding
• Local mental health services and referral pathways, or the ability to learn them quickly
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters
• Structured risk assessment and safety planning
• Confident with IT and accurate data entry

Desirable

• Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions
• Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey
• Analysing and presenting service data

Other

Essential

• Able to travel between practices across Barrow and Mid Furness
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check

Person Specification Experience Essential At least 2 years post registration experience in adult mental health Independent assessment and risk management of adults with mental health problems Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies Desirable Experience in primary care, NHS Talking Therapies or an occupational health setting Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work Experience in a pilot, service development or evaluation project Experience of delivering training to other professionals Personal Qualities Essential Committed to helping people stay in or return to work, with a recovery focused, strengths based approach Comfortable with change and able to work in a new, evolving service Able to work autonomously and as part of a team, and to prioritise under pressure Qualifications Essential Registered Mental Health Nurse - NMC Register Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Postgraduate qualification in a mental health intervention, for example CBT, low intensity CBT or motivational interviewing. Occupational health or vocational rehabilitation qualification, practice educator or mentorship qualification. Knowledge & Skills Essential Evidence based brief interventions for common mental health problems Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and adult and child safeguarding Local mental health services and referral pathways, or the ability to learn them quickly Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters Structured risk assessment and safety planning Confident with IT and accurate data entry Desirable Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey Analysing and presenting service data Other Essential Able to travel between practices across Barrow and Mid Furness Satisfactory enhanced DBS check

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

The First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. You will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Main duties of the job

Clinical assessment and management

1. Work as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone, video or face to face.

2. Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.

3. Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, and agree realistic goals with each patient.

4. Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.

5. Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.

6. The post holder will work within their professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and MBPCC governance framework.

7. The post holder may request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management.

8. Investigation requests must be clinically justified, recorded within the patient record and undertaken in accordance with local referral and diagnostic pathways.

About us

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy

Details

Date posted

29 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,000 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

B0160-26-0028

Job locations

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job details

Job title

First Contact Physiotherapist Enable Work and Health Service

Salary

£40,000 (pro rata)

Hours

18.75 hours per week (0.5 WTE), worked flexibly across the week by agreement

Contract

Fixed term to the end of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot (12 months)

Employer

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative (MBPCC)

Base

Enable service, Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks; face to face at participating practices plus telephone and video consultations

Responsible to

Enable Operational Lead (line management)

Clinically accountable to

Enable Clinical Lead (GP / Occupational Health)

Registration

HCPC registered Physiotherapist

About Enable and MBPCC

Enable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.

For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.

Job purpose

The First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. You will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.

You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.

Key responsibilities

Clinical assessment and management

1. Work as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone, video or face to face.

2. Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.

3. Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, and agree realistic goals with each patient.

4. Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.

5. Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.

6. The post holder will work within their professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and MBPCC governance framework.

7. The post holder may request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management.

8. Investigation requests must be clinically justified, recorded within the patient record and undertaken in accordance with local referral and diagnostic pathways.

9. Any investigations or referrals outside the post holder's authorised scope of practice must be discussed with, or referred to, the Enable Clinical Lead, GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.

10. The post holder will maintain evidence of competency for all investigation requesting activity and participate in audit and clinical supervision arrangements.

Work and health

1. Complete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is an MSK condition.

2. Assess the physical demands of the patient's job and recommend practical adjustments (phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace or equipment changes).

3. With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.

4. Assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance, once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead. Physiotherapists are legally able to certify fit notes.

5. Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.

Multidisciplinary working and advice

1. Act as the MSK lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on MSK presentations.

2. Take part in multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases, particularly where physical and mental health needs overlap.

3. Develop and deliver short training sessions for the team on MSK conditions, red flags and work-focused conversations.

Records, data and governance

1. Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.

2. Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.

3. Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.

4. Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.

Service development

1. Help design and refine the Enable MSK pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.

2. Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.

3. Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.

Professional development

1. Maintain HCPC registration and practise in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.

2. Attend monthly clinical supervision and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.

3. Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.

Working relationships

Internal

Enable Clinical Lead

Enable Operational Lead

Enable team including: Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health Nurses

Enable administrative team

External

Patients, and their families and carers with the patient's agreement

GPs and staff at participating practices in Barrow and Mid Furness PCNs

MSK, orthopaedic, rheumatology and community physiotherapy services

Imaging and diagnostic services

Employers, with the patient's explicit agreement

Department for Work and Pensions and the pilot evaluators

Voluntary sector, Access to Work and local support services

General responsibilities

Safeguarding: Follow MBPCC and local multi-agency safeguarding procedures for adults and children, and complete safeguarding training at the level required for the role.

Information governance: Handle all personal and patient information in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and data sharing agreement.

Health and safety: Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow the MBPCC lone working policy, and report hazards and incidents promptly.

Infection prevention and control: Follow infection prevention and control policies when seeing patients face to face.

Equality, diversity and inclusion: Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect, challenge discrimination, and make reasonable adjustments so that the service is accessible to everyone.

Professional conduct: Work within the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and within the limits of your own competence.

Flexibility: This job description reflects the role at the start of the pilot. Duties may change as the service develops, in discussion with the post holder.

Job description Job responsibilities Job details Job title First Contact Physiotherapist Enable Work and Health Service Salary £40,000 (pro rata) Hours 18.75 hours per week (0.5 WTE), worked flexibly across the week by agreement Contract Fixed term to the end of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot (12 months) Employer Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative (MBPCC) Base Enable service, Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks; face to face at participating practices plus telephone and video consultations Responsible to Enable Operational Lead (line management) Clinically accountable to Enable Clinical Lead (GP / Occupational Health) Registration HCPC registered Physiotherapist About Enable and MBPCCEnable is one of four national pilots funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to test a better fit note process, and it is the most clinical of the four. MBPCC delivers it under an NHS contract across the Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks.For participating practices, every fit note is issued by the multidisciplinary Enable service rather than the GP practice. Working patients who agree to take part receive a workability assessment and a personalised workability plan that focuses on what they can do and how to stay in, or return to, work. The pilot generates data and learning for the DWP to shape future national policy.Job purposeThe First Contact Physiotherapist is the Enable team's MSK specialist for working-age adults whose MSK condition affects their ability to work. You will assess, diagnose and manage patients referred through Enable triage without the need for a GP appointment, and agree a work-focused plan that supports them to stay in or return to work.You will also be the team's source of MSK expertise. You will advise and upskill colleagues completing workability plans, and help shape how the pilot manages MSK presentations. Patients needing investigation, specialist or longer-term treatment are referred on through agreed pathways.Key responsibilitiesClinical assessment and management1. Work as an autonomous first contact practitioner, assessing and diagnosing adults with undifferentiated MSK conditions by telephone, video or face to face.2. Screen for serious pathology and red flags at every contact, and escalate urgent concerns the same day through the GP and relevant emergency or specialist pathways.3. Provide evidence-based management including advice, education, self-management support and exercise prescription, and agree realistic goals with each patient.4. Give the patient's GP and the referring clinician clear, concise feedback, including any recommendations on medication for the prescriber to consider.5. Use validated outcome measures at agreed points (such as the MSK-HQ and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) to track progress and inform decisions.6. The post holder will work within their professional registration, accredited competencies, local commissioning arrangements and MBPCC governance framework.7. The post holder may request investigations where permitted by professional standards, local policy and individual competency sign-off, including diagnostic imaging and pathology tests relevant to musculoskeletal assessment and management.8. Investigation requests must be clinically justified, recorded within the patient record and undertaken in accordance with local referral and diagnostic pathways.9. Any investigations or referrals outside the post holder's authorised scope of practice must be discussed with, or referred to, the Enable Clinical Lead, GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.10. The post holder will maintain evidence of competency for all investigation requesting activity and participate in audit and clinical supervision arrangements.Work and health1. Complete workability assessments and workability plans for patients whose main barrier to work is an MSK condition.2. Assess the physical demands of the patient's job and recommend practical adjustments (phased return, amended hours or duties, workplace or equipment changes).3. With the patient's explicit agreement only, communicate with employers to support adjustments and a sustainable return to work.4. Assess fitness for work and issue fit notes in line with DWP guidance, once signed off as competent by the Clinical Lead. Physiotherapists are legally able to certify fit notes.5. Meet the service turnaround standards for fit notes and workability plans, raising early any capacity pressures that put them at risk.Multidisciplinary working and advice1. Act as the MSK lead within the Enable team, giving same-day advice to Occupational Health Nurses, the ANP and other colleagues on MSK presentations.2. Take part in multidisciplinary case discussions and present complex cases, particularly where physical and mental health needs overlap.3. Develop and deliver short training sessions for the team on MSK conditions, red flags and work-focused conversations.Records, data and governance1. Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS, using the agreed Enable templates and codes, and use AccuRx and Florey questionnaires as the service requires.2. Record the data items needed for the DWP evaluation fully and on time. Data accuracy is a condition of the pilot's funding.3. Check that each patient's consent and eligibility for the service and for DWP data sharing are in place before completing a workability plan, and follow the Enable privacy notice.4. Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns through MBPCC processes, and take part in audit, case review and service evaluation.Service development1. Help design and refine the Enable MSK pathway, including triage criteria, referral thresholds and escalation routes, as the pilot moves from the first two practices to all practices in both PCNs.2. Feed patient experience and clinical learning into pilot meetings and DWP reporting.3. Contribute to written protocols, patient information and the final pilot evaluation.Professional development1. Maintain HCPC registration and practise in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Code of Professional Values and Behaviour.2. Attend monthly clinical supervision and annual appraisal, and use reflective practice to improve your work.3. Complete MBPCC mandatory training and the DWP fit note training for healthcare professionals.Working relationshipsInternal Enable Clinical Lead Enable Operational Lead Enable team including: Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Occupational Health Nurses Enable administrative teamExternal Patients, and their families and carers with the patient's agreement GPs and staff at participating practices in Barrow and Mid Furness PCNs MSK, orthopaedic, rheumatology and community physiotherapy services Imaging and diagnostic services Employers, with the patient's explicit agreement Department for Work and Pensions and the pilot evaluators Voluntary sector, Access to Work and local support servicesGeneral responsibilities Safeguarding: Follow MBPCC and local multi-agency safeguarding procedures for adults and children, and complete safeguarding training at the level required for the role. Information governance: Handle all personal and patient information in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and data sharing agreement. Health and safety: Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow the MBPCC lone working policy, and report hazards and incidents promptly. Infection prevention and control: Follow infection prevention and control policies when seeing patients face to face. Equality, diversity and inclusion: Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect, challenge discrimination, and make reasonable adjustments so that the service is accessible to everyone. Professional conduct: Work within the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and within the limits of your own competence. Flexibility: This job description reflects the role at the start of the pilot. Duties may change as the service develops, in discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• - Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy, with current, unrestricted HCPC registration
• - Completed Stage 1 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap (or equivalent evidence of FCP competence)
• - Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• -Master's-level modules or qualification in MSK or advanced practice
• -Completed Stage 2 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap
• -Injection therapy or non-medical prescribing qualification

Experience

Essential

• - Substantial post-registration MSK experience, including autonomous outpatient practice at Band 6 or above
• - Assessing and managing undifferentiated MSK conditions, including recognising serious pathology
• - Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions
• Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies

Desirable

• - Experience as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care
• - Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work
• - Occupational health, vocational rehabilitation or work-conditioning experience
• - Experience of delivering training to other professionals; experience in a pilot or service development project

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• - Evidence-based assessment and management of MSK conditions, including red flags
• - Safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and informed consent
• - Psychosocial factors in MSK pain and their effect on work
• - Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters
• - Advanced clinical reasoning and shared decision-making
• - Confident with IT and accurate data entry

Desirable

• - The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health
• - Employment law relevant to reasonable adjustments, such as the Equality Act 2010
• - MSK services and pathways in South Cumbria
• - Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions
• - Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey
• - Analysing and presenting service data

Person Specification Qualifications Essential - Degree or equivalent in physiotherapy, with current, unrestricted HCPC registration - Completed Stage 1 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap (or equivalent evidence of FCP competence) - Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable -Master's-level modules or qualification in MSK or advanced practice -Completed Stage 2 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap -Injection therapy or non-medical prescribing qualification Experience Essential - Substantial post-registration MSK experience, including autonomous outpatient practice at Band 6 or above - Assessing and managing undifferentiated MSK conditions, including recognising serious pathology - Managing your own caseload and making autonomous clinical decisions Working in a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies Desirable - Experience as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care - Experience of issuing fit notes or advising on fitness for work - Occupational health, vocational rehabilitation or work-conditioning experience - Experience of delivering training to other professionals; experience in a pilot or service development project Knowledge and skills Essential - Evidence-based assessment and management of MSK conditions, including red flags - Safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and informed consent - Psychosocial factors in MSK pain and their effect on work - Excellent verbal and written communication, including clear and concise clinical letters - Advanced clinical reasoning and shared decision-making - Confident with IT and accurate data entry Desirable - The fit note, the DWP's work and health agenda and the link between good work and health - Employment law relevant to reasonable adjustments, such as the Equality Act 2010 - MSK services and pathways in South Cumbria - Using validated outcome measures to evaluate interventions - Using EMIS, AccuRx and Florey - Analysing and presenting service data

UK Registration

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

Additional information 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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job summary

Enable is one of four national DWP funded pilots testing a new approach to fit notes and is the most clinical of the four. It runs across Barrow and Mid Furness Primary Care Networks, delivered by MBPCC under an NHS contract.

For participating practices, all fit notes are issued by the Enable service rather than by the GP practice. There is no change to fit note legislation, so every patient still needs a valid, signed fit note. The pilot then offers eligible patients registered at a pilot practice, in work, and agreeing to share data with the DWP a workability assessment and plan. Employers are contacted only with the patients explicit agreement.

The service expects to handle more than 20,000 fit note requests a year at full rollout.

The service uses EMIS, AccuRx, X on Surgery Connect and Florey questionnaires.

Main duties of the job

To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention for working age adults whose health is affecting their ability to stay in or return to work, as part of the Enable service.

• Carry out functional and work focused assessments with patients from pilot GP practices who request a fit note.

• Issue and sign fit notes as the certifying healthcare professional.

• Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients, setting practical, occupation focused goals to support a sustainable return to work.

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team with the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Health Nurses and admin team.

• Record activity and outcomes accurately so the pilot can supply data and learning to the Department for Work and Pensions.

About us

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative is the largest employer of Primary Care colleagues in South Cumbria, we are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, and work to support, guide and underpin primary medical care across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

We deeply value education and learning, hosting the Lancashire and South Cumbria Training Hub. We have a great team on our board that guide our organisation, and you will be supported to excel in your role.

Details

Date posted

23 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,000 to £39,000 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0160-26-0027

Job locations

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Fit note certification

• Assess patients fitness for work and issue and sign fit notes in your own name, as permitted for HCPC registered occupational therapists under the Social Security, Medical Evidence and Statutory Sick Pay, Medical Evidence, Amendment Regulations 2022.
• Assess the patient, by face to face, video or telephone consultation or by reviewing a written report from another healthcare professional, before issuing a fit note
• Certify only within your own scope of practice and competence. Refer to the ANP or Clinical Lead when the presenting condition, complexity or risk falls outside it.
• Issue fit notes through EMIS, including correct dates, condition wording and review periods.
• Meet the service turnaround standard for fit note requests, currently 3 working days.
• Take part in audit of your fit notes for quality and consistency, and act on feedback from the Clinical Lead.

Clinical assessment and workability plans

• Manage a defined caseload of working age adults referred through the fit note pathway.
• Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients assessing physical, cognitive, psychological and environmental factors affecting work
• Advise on graded return to work, activity pacing, fatigue and symptom management, and practical workplace adjustments.
• With the patients explicit agreement, liaise with employers about reasonable adjustments and return-to-work arrangements.
• Signpost and refer to other services and community resources.
• Identify and act on risk, including mental health risk, escalating promptly to the Clinical Lead and Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Communication and teamwork

• Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive information about health and work, adapting to each patients needs and overcoming barriers to understanding.
• Work as an active member of the Enable multidisciplinary team and attend team meetings, case discussions and huddles.
• Build good working relationships with pilot GP practices, PCN teams and partner organisations.
• Contribute an occupational therapy perspective to the development of pathways, templates and patient information.

Records, data and evaluation

• Keep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS to professional and MBPCC standards.
• Record activity and outcome data accurately and on time, as needed for DWP evaluation.
• Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement, including sharing learning from the pilot.

Professional development

• Take part in annual appraisal and agree a personal development plan.
• Maintain a CPD portfolio that meets HCPC requirements.
• Develop knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, occupational health and work and health policy.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Service Lead day to day management, absence and sickness, appraisals
• Clinical Lead clinical accountability
• Advanced Nurse Practitioner day to day clinical management
• Clinical colleagues within Enable, allied health professionals, administrative

External

• Referring GPs, practice managers and primary care teams across Barrow and Mid Furness.
• Patients and, with consent, their employers, line managers, HR and occupational health providers.
• Secondary care, therapy, mental health and musculoskeletal services; Jobcentre Plus; local employers; VCFSE partners and other statutory agencies.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

• This is a fixed term post for 12 months, funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.

• A flexible and agile approach to working is expected. The service operates a blended model of face to face clinics, remote consultation and home working, and the balance between these will vary with service demand and patient need.

• Home working is supported for remote assessment, report writing, supervision and administrative activity, subject to a suitable, confidential home working environment and compliance with information governance requirements. Home working is an operational arrangement, not a contractual entitlement, and does not remove the requirement to attend sites.

• Regular travel across Barrow and Mid Furness is required. Access to a vehicle and a full UK driving licence, or an equivalent means of meeting the travel requirements of the post, is necessary.

• Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours such as Saturday working.

• The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period, and to lead others through that change.

General responsibilities

• Professional standards: Work within the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the RCOT Professional Standards and Code of Ethics. Maintain HCPC registration; any lapse must be reported immediately and stops fit note certification.

• Information governance: Keep all patient and service information confidential in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and the patients agreement.

• Safeguarding: Follow safeguarding adults and children procedures and complete the training required for the role before commencement of job

• Health and safety: Follow health and safety and lone working policies, and report incidents and near misses promptly.

• Infection prevention and control: Follow infection prevention and control policies.

• Equality and diversity: Treat everyone with dignity and respect, and act in line with MBPCCs equality policies.

• Mandatory training: Complete all statutory and mandatory training on time.

• Flexibility: This job description is not exhaustive. It may change as the pilot develops, by agreement with the post holder.

Job description Job responsibilities Fit note certificationAssess patients fitness for work and issue and sign fit notes in your own name, as permitted for HCPC registered occupational therapists under the Social Security, Medical Evidence and Statutory Sick Pay, Medical Evidence, Amendment Regulations 2022.Assess the patient, by face to face, video or telephone consultation or by reviewing a written report from another healthcare professional, before issuing a fit noteCertify only within your own scope of practice and competence. Refer to the ANP or Clinical Lead when the presenting condition, complexity or risk falls outside it.Issue fit notes through EMIS, including correct dates, condition wording and review periods.Meet the service turnaround standard for fit note requests, currently 3 working days.Take part in audit of your fit notes for quality and consistency, and act on feedback from the Clinical Lead.Clinical assessment and workability plansManage a defined caseload of working age adults referred through the fit note pathway.Complete workability assessments and plans with eligible patients assessing physical, cognitive, psychological and environmental factors affecting workAdvise on graded return to work, activity pacing, fatigue and symptom management, and practical workplace adjustments.With the patients explicit agreement, liaise with employers about reasonable adjustments and return-to-work arrangements.Signpost and refer to other services and community resources.Identify and act on risk, including mental health risk, escalating promptly to the Clinical Lead and Advanced Nurse Practitioner.Communication and teamworkCommunicate complex and sometimes sensitive information about health and work, adapting to each patients needs and overcoming barriers to understanding.Work as an active member of the Enable multidisciplinary team and attend team meetings, case discussions and huddles.Build good working relationships with pilot GP practices, PCN teams and partner organisations.Contribute an occupational therapy perspective to the development of pathways, templates and patient information.Records, data and evaluationKeep accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in EMIS to professional and MBPCC standards.Record activity and outcome data accurately and on time, as needed for DWP evaluation.Contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement, including sharing learning from the pilot.Professional developmentTake part in annual appraisal and agree a personal development plan.Maintain a CPD portfolio that meets HCPC requirements.Develop knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, occupational health and work and health policy.Key Working RelationshipsInternalService Lead day to day management, absence and sickness, appraisalsClinical Lead clinical accountabilityAdvanced Nurse Practitioner day to day clinical managementClinical colleagues within Enable, allied health professionals, administrativeExternalReferring GPs, practice managers and primary care teams across Barrow and Mid Furness.Patients and, with consent, their employers, line managers, HR and occupational health providers.Secondary care, therapy, mental health and musculoskeletal services; Jobcentre Plus; local employers; VCFSE partners and other statutory agencies.WORKING ARRANGEMENTSThis is a fixed term post for 12 months, funded through the national pilot. Continuation beyond the pilot period cannot be guaranteed and is subject to national decisions on the future of the model.A flexible and agile approach to working is expected. The service operates a blended model of face to face clinics, remote consultation and home working, and the balance between these will vary with service demand and patient need.Home working is supported for remote assessment, report writing, supervision and administrative activity, subject to a suitable, confidential home working environment and compliance with information governance requirements. Home working is an operational arrangement, not a contractual entitlement, and does not remove the requirement to attend sites.Regular travel across Barrow and Mid Furness is required. Access to a vehicle and a full UK driving licence, or an equivalent means of meeting the travel requirements of the post, is necessary.Some flexibility over working hours may be needed to accommodate patients who are in work and employers who are only available outside core hours such as Saturday working.The post holder will be expected to work in a rapidly evolving service where processes, systems and documentation change during the pilot period, and to lead others through that change.General responsibilitiesProfessional standards: Work within the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the RCOT Professional Standards and Code of Ethics. Maintain HCPC registration; any lapse must be reported immediately and stops fit note certification.Information governance: Keep all patient and service information confidential in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott Principles and MBPCC policy. Share data with the DWP only as set out in the Enable privacy notice and the patients agreement.Safeguarding: Follow safeguarding adults and children procedures and complete the training required for the role before commencement of jobHealth and safety: Follow health and safety and lone working policies, and report incidents and near misses promptly.Infection prevention and control: Follow infection prevention and control policies.Equality and diversity: Treat everyone with dignity and respect, and act in line with MBPCCs equality policies.Mandatory training: Complete all statutory and mandatory training on time.Flexibility: This job description is not exhaustive. It may change as the pilot develops, by agreement with the post holder.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• At least 12 months post registration OT experience, including preceptorship, with working-age adults in physical or mental health
• Assessed by application form, interview and references

Desirable

• Experience in primary care, occupational health, vocational rehabilitation, musculoskeletal or community mental health services

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Assessed by application form & certificate or registration check

Desirable

• Vocational rehabilitation or occupational health qualification or module

Registration

Essential

• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, with no conditions affecting practice
• Assessed by certificate or registration check

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Other

Essential

• Able to travel between pilot practice sites in Barrow and Mid Furness
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance
• Assessed by application form, interview and references

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, reasonable adjustments considered

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Understanding of how health conditions affect function and the ability to work
• Understanding of clinical risk assessment, safeguarding and when to escalate
• Understanding of confidentiality, consent and information governance
• Clear, professional decision-making on fitness for work within own scope of practice
• Effective verbal and written communication, including sensitive conversations about health and work
• Good IT skills, including using clinical systems to record consultations and data
• Able to manage own time and prioritise a caseload to meet turnaround standards
• Assessed by application form and interview

Desirable

• Knowledge of the fit note, Statutory Sick Pay, Access to Work and the Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments duty
• Awareness of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot and national work and health policy
• Knowledge of standardised work-related assessments, such as the Worker Role Interview or Work Environment Impact Scale
• Experience of quality improvement or service evaluation
• Motivational interviewing or health coaching skills
• Experience of EMIS, AccuRx or another GP clinical system

Fit Note certification

Essential

• Willing and able to issue and sign fit notes in own name.
• Assessed by application form, interview and references

Desirable

• Experience of issuing fit notes, or contributing to fitness-for-work decisions

Personal qualities

Essential

• Commitment to person centred, enabling practice that supports people to stay in or return to work.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a new multidisciplinary team, using supervision well.
• Flexible and comfortable working in a pilot where processes are still being developed.
• Assessed by interviews and references

Person Specification Experience Essential At least 12 months post registration OT experience, including preceptorship, with working-age adults in physical or mental health Assessed by application form, interview and references Desirable Experience in primary care, occupational health, vocational rehabilitation, musculoskeletal or community mental health services Qualifications Essential Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy Assessed by application form & certificate or registration check Desirable Vocational rehabilitation or occupational health qualification or module Registration Essential Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist, with no conditions affecting practice Assessed by certificate or registration check Desirable Membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Other Essential Able to travel between pilot practice sites in Barrow and Mid Furness Satisfactory enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance Assessed by application form, interview and references Desirable Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, reasonable adjustments considered Knowledge & Skills Essential Understanding of how health conditions affect function and the ability to work Understanding of clinical risk assessment, safeguarding and when to escalate Understanding of confidentiality, consent and information governance Clear, professional decision-making on fitness for work within own scope of practice Effective verbal and written communication, including sensitive conversations about health and work Good IT skills, including using clinical systems to record consultations and data Able to manage own time and prioritise a caseload to meet turnaround standards Assessed by application form and interview Desirable Knowledge of the fit note, Statutory Sick Pay, Access to Work and the Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments duty Awareness of the DWP Fit Note Reform Pilot and national work and health policy Knowledge of standardised work-related assessments, such as the Worker Role Interview or Work Environment Impact Scale Experience of quality improvement or service evaluation Motivational interviewing or health coaching skills Experience of EMIS, AccuRx or another GP clinical system Fit Note certification Essential Willing and able to issue and sign fit notes in own name. Assessed by application form, interview and references Desirable Experience of issuing fit notes, or contributing to fitness-for-work decisions Personal qualities Essential Commitment to person centred, enabling practice that supports people to stay in or return to work. Able to work autonomously and as part of a new multidisciplinary team, using supervision well. Flexible and comfortable working in a pilot where processes are still being developed. Assessed by interviews and references

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Barrow Health Hub

The Strand

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2HF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mbpcc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)