Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead

Job overview

Advert Band 7 Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead

Full Time, flexible working considered

An opportunity has arisen for a senior experienced podiatrist with proven leadership skills, to join our team at Lewisham and Greenwich Trust. We are looking to recruit an Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead to be responsible for the management and organisation of the biomechanics / Musculoskeletal (MSK) services In Lewisham Foot Health services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the biomechanics, musculoskeletal (MSK) and physical therapies service within Lewisham Foot Health. You will assess, diagnose and treat complex lower limb MSK conditions, providing advanced biomechanical care and specialist advice to the wider Community Podiatry Team, including input into acute and preventative wound care.

Main duties of the job

You will also act as team leader and line manager for Band 5 and 6 staff, offering support, supervision and professional guidance. In addition, you will drive service improvements in line with best practice and clinical governance and ensure resources, including the £10,000 insole budget, are managed efficiently and effectively.

The Podiatry team at LGT is friendly, supportive and motivated to deliver expert patient care across a broad range of specialties. We welcome applications from Podiatrists who are passionate about their profession, and able to communicate effectively across professional boundaries and in different care settings. Excellent leadership skills, drive and an innovative approach will be key attributes for the successful candidate.

Interview date will be 18th July 2025

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• Act as the biomechanical/MSK clinical foot specialist within the community Foot Health Service.
• Support clinical triage and prioritisation of all new referrals to the musculoskeletal service.
• Independently carry out advanced assessments and interventions for adult and paediatric patients with complex lower limb MSK conditions.
• Apply highly specialist podiatric skills and communicate effectively with patients, carers, and colleagues.
• Manage complex cases using advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and reflection to guide assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and referrals.
• Recommend evidence-based interventions for routine to highly complex conditions, including onward referral to consultants or other allied health professionals when appropriate.
• Use advanced clinical practice to deliver treatments such as orthotic prescription, rehabilitation planning, injection therapy, and refer for imaging or surgical opinion as needed.
• Make informed decisions about when to involve other specialist services within or outside the department (e.g. physiotherapy, surgery).
• Request and interpret diagnostic tests to support accurate diagnosis and prognosis for a wide range of conditions, including complex and multifactorial cases.
• Prescribe, supply, and review orthotics (custom or off-the-shelf), ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Oversee and support staff in orthotic prescription and maintain up-to-date protocols and guidelines.
• Act as lead clinician for the provision and safe use of physical therapy services, including laser and ultrasound therapy.
• Serve as the service’s laser safety officer, ensuring staff competency, risk assessment awareness, and patient-centred care.
• Keep the team informed of new developments in physical therapies, introduce new modalities, and review guidelines regularly.
• Administer drugs and medicines in line with legal and professional standards, recognising contraindications and patient risk factors.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive clinical records in line with HCPC and Trust standards.

Leadership and Management

• Provide clinical leadership across the MSK/biomechanics pathway, promoting best practice and clinical excellence.
• Act as clinical lead for specific projects and service improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to audits, service evaluations, and quality improvement activities.
• Offer specialist clinical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment.
• Develop and maintain care pathways for MSK treatments and advanced therapies.
• Propose, develop, and implement service policies, protocols, and guidelines to ensure up-to-date, evidence-based, and safe practice.
• Ensure compliance with National, Trust and professional guidelines in podiatric practice.
• Identify training needs and participate in relevant training.
• Ensure all equipment and instruments are maintained in good working order.

Education and Development

• Act as a mentor and clinical educator for junior staff, students and other professionals.
• Work with the extended scope podiatrist to develop the team’s MSK assessment skills and maintain high standards of practice.
• Provide expert knowledge and advice on physical therapies to the foot health team and other professionals within and outside the Trust.
• Maintain own professional development and portfolio in line with HCPC and Trust requirements.

Research and Innovation

• Engage in evidence-based practice and adopt new approaches where appropriate.
• Contribute to audits and the implementation of best practice guidelines.
• Support the development of clinical pathways in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and commissioners.