Podiatry Apprentice

Job overview

Foot Health Services have an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our innovative and supportive podiatry team. The Podiatry Apprenticeship programme is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.

Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality hands on clinical care. Podiatrists work with people of all ages and provide advice, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the foot and lower limb.

While working towards your degree you will be based within our friendly and supportive team, and will be patient facing from the very start - so that you can apply and develop your new knowledge and skills with increasing confidence. We offer the opportunity to work within every speciality within the profession, so your days within the clinical placement will be diverse and you can explore areas that interest you the most.

The post may be based in Kings Lynn or Norwich, dependant on application location. Appointment to this post is subject to both organisational employment protocols and acceptance onto the UEL Podiatry Apprentice program.

Main duties of the job

This is a developmental role over 4 years in compliance with the Podiatry (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship standard (Ref ST0493). The post holder will work towards successful completion of a BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatry and recognition by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The post holder will be an employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust The funding for the training element of this post comes from the apprenticeship levy.

The Podiatry Apprenticeship Programme combines and integrates academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers. The post holder can expect to spend the majority of their time learning on the job, with the remainder off the job. Whilst undertaking this training the post-holder will work within the service as a Podiatry Apprentice, where the job role and duties will reflect current learning and experience.

The post-holder will work in a variety of clinical/healthcare settings, enabling them to develop and maintain relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in order to fulfil the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be part of a highly motivated specialist podiatry team, working flexibly under the delegation/supervision of designated podiatrist in a variety of settings and geographical locations, and providing a high standard of Podiatric clinical care
• To provide appropriate assessment, treatment, evaluation of outcomes and education to patients, relatives and carers within agreed competencies and training
• To participate in minor surgery and other specialist sessions within the scope of instructions laid down by the overseeing podiatrist
• To comply with organisational and service policies, procedures and guidelines
• To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work using organisational information systems as directed
• To contribute to organisational and service audit, surveys and trials within the organisation as appropriate
• To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice, during periods of absence or in response to clinical demands
• To be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated
• To take part in student placement schemes offering demonstrational opportunities for both podiatry students and students from other disciplines as appropriate
• To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other healthcare staff as appropriate
• To ensure effective communication of sensitive and confidential information to referrers, other healthcare staff, patients, relatives and carers using interpersonal, negotiating skills and empathy as required

Apprenticeship:

• To attend university and clinical placements as set out in the degree programme
• To participate in tripartite reviews with the university and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
• To ensure timely achievement of assignments and assessments in accordance with the academic programme requirements
• To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard, including the end point assessment
• To gain experience during the period of the apprenticeship in a wide range of clinical areas including diabetes, rheumatology, biomechanics, tissue viability, nail surgery and wound management. To gain knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes in these areas as appropriate
• To contribute to self-development through reflective learning