First Contact Practitioners (FCPs) in Primary Care

Role

A First Contact Practitioner [FCP] is a diagnostic AHP working in primary care, from one of the following eligible professions: dietitian, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, occupational therapy, paramedic and podiatry.

FCPs work at master’s level in their clinical pillar of practice and professional scope, working with undiagnosed and undifferentiated diagnoses, managing complexity and uncertainty at the first point of contact.  They have not yet reached master’s level practice in all four pillars of advanced practice to be verified as an Advanced Practitioner [AP].

Training Requirements

Trainee FCPs must be registered with the HCPC, have a minimum of Level 6 prior education and a minimum of 3-5 years post registration experience.  All eligible and supported trainees will be allocated a place with one of the 8 Higher Education Institute’s [HEIs], that have been approved and procured by NHSE to provide both taught and portfolio routes to become an FCP.  Level 7 academic credits acquired on these programmes may be used towards qualifications such as PgCert or MSc.

Funding

FCPs are one of the additional roles for which funding is available to PCNs via the ARRS scheme. Trainee FCP course fees are funded by NHSE.

Supervision Requirements

Trainee FCPs will be supported by an Educational Supervisor (provided by the HEI) and a Clinical Supervisor (provided in the workplace by the employer).  Access to daily clinical supervision is required to support trainees in their development.  Further details with regards to minimum standards for clinical supervision can be found in the Useful Links section below.

Useful Links

More Information

If you would like more information or have any queries, please contact:

jo.hercules@nhs.net
FCP Ambassador for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub