Inpatient Podiatrist

Job overview

Job Purpose

To provide a specialist podiatry service for adult inpatients with diabetes and other high-risk foot conditions. The post holder will independently assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with complex lower limb pathology, contributing to the prevention of ulceration, infection and lower limb amputation.

The post holder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), providing expert advice to medical, nursing and allied health professionals and supporting timely patient management to improve clinical outcomes, patient flow and reduced length of stay. The role will also support outpatient diabetes services, including the Multidisciplinary Foot Service (MDFS) and Hot Foot Clinic, ensuring continuity of care across the patient pathway.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment of hospital inpatients with diabetic foot ulcers, infection, Charcot neuroarthropathy and other complex lower limb conditions.
• Undertake comprehensive vascular, neurological, biomechanical and wound assessments.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans for patients with complex clinical needs.
• Perform conservative sharp wound debridement and other advanced podiatry interventions within scope of practice.
• Assess and manage patients requiring pressure relief and offloading using appropriate devices and techniques.
• Identify patients requiring urgent intervention and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds and contribute to discharge planning.
• Provide specialist podiatry advice to medical, nursing and therapy colleagues.
• Provide timely assessment and management of patients referred from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and Same Day Emergency Care with suspected diabetic foot disease, supporting admission avoidance where clinically appropriate.
• Prioritise inpatient referrals to ensure patients with diabetic foot disease are reviewed within recommended timeframes.
• Ensure timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans and outcomes.
• Support the delivery of the Multidisciplinary Foot Service (MDFS) and Hot Foot Clinics by providing cross-cover during periods of increased demand, annual leave or sickness.
• Contribute to reducing outpatient waiting times

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment of hospital inpatients with diabetic foot ulcers, infection, Charcot neuroarthropathy and other complex lower limb conditions.
• Undertake comprehensive vascular, neurological, biomechanical and wound assessments.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans for patients with complex clinical needs.
• Perform conservative sharp wound debridement and other advanced podiatry interventions within scope of practice.
• Assess and manage patients requiring pressure relief and offloading using appropriate devices and techniques.
• Identify patients requiring urgent intervention and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds and contribute to discharge planning.
• Provide specialist podiatry advice to medical, nursing and therapy colleagues.
• Provide timely assessment and management of patients referred from the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and Same Day Emergency Care with suspected diabetic foot disease, supporting admission avoidance where clinically appropriate.
• Prioritise inpatient referrals to ensure patients with diabetic foot disease are reviewed within recommended timeframes.
• Ensure timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans and outcomes.
• Support the delivery of the Multidisciplinary Foot Service (MDFS) and Hot Foot Clinics by providing cross-cover during periods of increased demand, annual leave or sickness.
• Contribute to reducing outpatient waiting times by providing additional clinical capacity where required.

Multidisciplinary Working

• Work closely with diabetologists, vascular surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, infectious diseases teams, microbiologists, tissue viability nurses, ward staff, emergency department clinicians and community podiatry services.
• Actively participate in the Multidisciplinary Foot Service (MDFS), contributing to joint clinical decision-making.
• Facilitate safe and timely discharge planning, ensuring appropriate follow-up and seamless transfer of care between acute, community and primary care services.
• Develop effective communication pathways with community podiatry teams to promote continuity of care.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Work within HCPC Standards of Proficiency, the College of Podiatry professional standards and Trust policies.
• Maintain accurate clinical records using electronic patient record systems.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement projects and data collection to support service development.
• Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and evidence of competency.
• Ensure practice reflects current NICE guidance and national standards for diabetic foot care.

Leadership and Service Development

• Support Band 5 podiatrists, assistant practitioners and students through supervision, mentoring and clinical teaching.
• Participate in the induction and education of new staff.
• Contribute to the development of clinical pathways, local policies and standard operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient flow, reduce delays and enhance patient outcomes.
• Support the Band 7 High Risk Podiatrist in developing and expanding the inpatient diabetic foot service, including Emergency Department in-reach and service redesign initiatives.
• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to service planning.

Governance

• Adhere to Trust policies, infection prevention procedures and safeguarding requirements.
• Report incidents and participate in investigations and learning from adverse events.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
• Undertake mandatory training and maintain competencies relevant to the role.
• Work in accordance with Trust Health and Safety policies and lone working procedures where applicable.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Podiatry or equivalent.
• HCPC registration as a Podiatrist.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Experience

• Post-registration experience within NHS podiatry.
• Experience managing diabetic foot ulcers and other high-risk foot conditions.
• Experience of wound management, conservative sharp wound debridement and pressure offloading.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience prioritising and managing a complex clinical caseload.
• Experience working autonomously and making independent clinical decisions.

Knowledge

• National guidance relating to diabetic foot management, including NICE guidance and best practice pathways.
• Principles of wound management, infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Pressure offloading techniques and diabetic foot ulcer prevention.
• Clinical governance, risk management and audit methodology.

Skills

• Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing clinical priorities.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• IT skills including electronic patient records and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to contribute positively to multidisciplinary team working.

Personal Attributes

• Professional and patient-centred approach.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to work under pressure within an acute hospital environment.
• Commitment to service improvement, quality of care and lifelong learning.

Desirable

• Experience working in an acute inpatient diabetes or vascular service.
• Experience participating in a Multidisciplinary Foot Service (MDFS).
• Experience of Emergency Department or Same Day Emergency Care in-reach.
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification (or willingness to undertake).
• Leadership, supervision or mentorship experience.
• Membership of the College of Podiatry.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.