Western Medical Acupuncture Physiotherapist Contract UK

Responsibilities reflected in the contract

• Assess whether medical acupuncture is appropriate.
• Obtain and record treatment-specific consent.
• Perform needling within verified competence.
• Apply infection-control and sharps procedures.
• Monitor response and review continued benefit.
• Recognise and manage adverse events promptly.

A realistic working scenario

A patient requests repeated needling because it gives short relief although functional goals are unchanged. The practitioner reviews the plan and shifts emphasis rather than continuing open-ended passive treatment.

Outputs to agree

• reasoned acupuncture selection
• controlled sessions with aftercare
• outcome review against active goals

Records and evidence

• Physiotherapy rationale.
• Needle locations and lot.
• Short and longer response.
• Continue or stop decision.
• Work records.
• Handover notes.

Reporting relationship

Typically reports to Line Manager or Department Manager. Confirm the employer's actual reporting structure in the builder.

Authority and escalation

• Needling may only supplement work already inside physiotherapy competence and employer approval; it cannot expand diagnosis or replace investigation.
• Obtain approval before committing expenditure, changing contractual commitments or making regulated or staffing decisions outside the assigned role.

Tools and systems

• Care planning systems.
• Mobility equipment.

Workplace context

• Practice reception, clinical administration areas and approved patient-facing areas.

Training and certification

• Complete employer-required safeguarding training.
• Complete employer-required health and safety training.

Contract priorities

• post-registration portfolio
• needle storage
• active rehabilitation integration
• discontinuation criteria

Information the employer should prepare

• the conditions and patient groups treated
• the acupuncture qualification and membership evidence
• the treatment rooms and emergency support
• the needle purchasing storage and disposal process
• the consent incident and follow-up procedures
• the insurance audit and CPD requirements