Physiotherapist - MSK Clinic - Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) are being implemented across the province to help people with MSK pain access the right treatment faster. This work stems from the successful pilot program the Interprofessional Spine Assessment and Education Clinics for low back pain now called the Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain (RAC LBP). The RAC LBP model is an innovative upstream sharedcare model of care in which patients receive rapid low back pain assessment education and evidencebased selfmanagement plans. It is a patientcentred model of care designed to decrease the prevalence of unmanageable chronic low back pain reduce opioid initiation and reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging as well as unnecessary referral. 

The RAC LBP are specifically for patients with persistent low back pain and/or related symptoms (e.g. sciatica neurogenic claudication) six weeks to 12 months postonset; and recurrent/episodic unmanageable low back pain and/or related symptoms of less than 12 months postrecurrence.

Home and Community Care Support Services Central West is recruiting low back pain advanced practice providers (APPs) to provide assessment and follow up working out of their respective community clinic locations across its subregions (including Brampton Caledon Dufferin Malton north Etobicoke and west Woodbridge). The positions are contract parttime positions with a contractordetermined schedule.

As a member of the RAC the APP acts as the first and primary point of contact for consultation and assessment of patients referred by primary care providers; provides a defined evidencebased program of care to the patient with an emphasis on education selfmanagement and health promotion strategies consistent with the RAC LBP recommendations; develops a collaborative care plan with the patient and their primary care provider and documents progress in the care plan; and identifies signs and symptoms requiring a change or escalation in the plan of care diagnostic imaging/testing or referral to a specialist physician.

The APP is a champion for best practice and innovative patientcentred care models. The APP has the necessary skills competencies and complex decisionmaking capacity to address the needs of patients presenting with not only back pain but a range of related differential MSK/neurological conditions and is passionate about improving access to better care for all patients.

RAC LBP APPs will be connected to a practice leader as well as a clinical sponsor (spine surgeon) who will provide clinical training and practice guidance in advanced low back pain assessment and management education. Additionally all APPs will be connected through a centralized intake for referrals.

Please note that successful candidates must complete all training including three full days of online theory modules followed by seven days of inperson clinical training in low back pain assessment and surgical triage within the regional spine surgical centre in south Etobicoke/Mississauga. All training days and travel will be compensated.

Accountabilities:

• Expert practice 
  • Acts as the first and primary point of contact for consultation and assessment of referred patients with low back pain
  • Performs a thorough medical history and physical exam for low back pain patients
  • Establishes communicates and documents clinical impressions/medical diagnoses within defined scope of practice to patient and PCP
  • Develops plan of care in collaboration with the patient/family and primary care provider
  • Provides specialized care education and counseling (motivational interviewing) for patients to encourage independent communityintegrated selfmanagement for low back pain
  • Has a broad understanding of indications for the various evidencebased treatments for low back pain pattern
  • Identifies signs and symptoms of undiagnosed medical conditions requiring a referral to diagnostic imaging/testing and/or referral to a physician in accordance with established RAC LBP guidelines
  • Initiates communication and appropriate surgical and nonsurgical referrals based on established RAC LBP assessment and referral guidelines
  • Documents plan of care according to established RAC LBP guidelines
  • Communicates internally and externally to facilitate plan of care (i.e. other health care professionals)
  • Evaluates and revises the plan of care in collaboration with patient/family and primary care provider
  • Utilizes a patientcentered care approach consistent with patient goals needs and values
• Teaching and learning 
  • Participates in RAC sponsored regional and central education and training events for continuing education
  • Collaborates with the RAC team to identify learning needs of patients and primary care providers
  • Provides informal education externally to primary care providers where needed
  • Facilitates knowledge transfer and evidencebased practice
• Contractor responsibilities 
  • Acts as an active member of the RAC LBP
  • Accountable to align activities and performance with strategic goals and objectives of the RAC LBP
  • Adheres to the RAC LBP standards policies and procedures including centralized referral and clinic management system processes and participates in quality and performance management activities
  • In order to carry out the above duties the APP must provide all equipment required for patient care and communications including office space with administrative support internet access plinth computer printer/scanner fax number low cost tablet for electronic surveys phone line
     

Qualifications :

• At least three years of clinical experience following completion of an accredited entrytopractice program in a regulated health profession required
• Member in good standing of respective professional/legislative college at the provincial level required
• At least one year of clinical experience in the adult musculoskeletal/orthopedics/spine area required
• Expertise in exercise prescription for adult orthopedic conditions required
• Practice location within Ontario Health central region required
• Experience working within an interprofessional health care team
• Experience in neurological rehab
• Coursework in spinal assessment/rehabilitation
• Coursework in core muscle assessment/exercise prescription
• Coursework in arthritis management
• Coursework in motivational interviewing
• Coursework in pain management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent critical thinking and problemsolving skills
• Experience in research and quality improvement
• Must Demonstrate Oslers Values of Respect Excellence Service Compassion Innovation and Collaboration
• Member in good standing of respective professional/legislative college at the provincial level required
• Member of related national/provincial professional association preferred

Additional Information :

Hours: Currently Monday to Friday days with variable start/end times (subject to change in accordance with operational requirements)

Internal application deadline: January 15 2025

#LIGG1 #PT 

Osler values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process please notify Human Resources at .

While we thank all applicants only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only and not for any other purpose.