Specialist Podiatrist

Job overview

We have an exciting, opportunity for a motivated Podiatrist to join our enthusiastic and forward-thinking Diabetes and Tissue Viability speciality team.

As a Specialist Podiatrist you will already be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in Diabetes and Tissue Viability competencies. You will support the team frequently managing complex wound patients within the community across Warwickshire and will be part of the MDFT rotas supported by Team Leads at 3 local acute hospitals. In addition, you will have the capacity to develop your skills further within the specialist team.

We are happy to accept applications from newly qualified Podiatrists & provide a preceptorship/development post.

If you are newly qualified or have not yet achieved band 6 competencies in Diabetes and the At- Risk foot you will initially join us as a band 5 working in a development post. You will be fully supported to achieve your band 6 competencies via probation, preceptor and mentoring programmes (usually within 18-24 months of your successful recruitment.)

Whilst your base will be in Rugby, you will have independent means of transport to be able to work regularly in clinics, hospitals and patients own homes across the whole county of Warwickshire

For an informal conversation or more information, please contact: Sarah Hart, Podiatry and Orthotics Manager and Professional Lead email: sarah.hart2@swft.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for a specialised caseload involving the implementation and coordination of specialised treatment regimens involving specialist podiatric care and patient management programmes.

The post holder will have knowledge in the specialist area and possess a high level of clinical competence and clinical diagnostic skills, whilst treating a varied clientele including children and adults, those with learning difficulties and anyone with limb / foot deformities which affects mobility and function.

The post holder will possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to work across professional boundaries to ensure best care for patients with specialist podiatric care needs. The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner with well-developed clinical skills and maintain a high level of knowledge and experience whilst treating complex foot problems.

And provide the highest quality of podiatric care to those patients whose feet are assessed as being “at risk” (in line with departmental guidelines). This may require the post holder to use their own judgement to alter the treatment plan to suit individual patient’s needs. If problems arise beyond the scope of this post the patient must be referred to a more experienced podiatrist.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties

To prioritise and evaluate patient referrals to the podiatry service, for their appropriateness and to identify to the Rehabilitation Lead any deficiencies.

To be responsible for the assessment and review of patients with specialist podiatric care needs to plan and manage own caseload and that of junior staff and podiatry assistants.

To identify any concerns or training requirements of staff in specialist podiatric care to the Rehabilitation Lead and help develop and provide these training needs appropriately.

To develop treatment plans in consultation with the patient. This is to include exercise programmes and / or orthotic provision.

To maintain the podiatry department’s policies and procedures with regards to this specialist area.

To ensure current best practice is included and updated in all clinical policies in this specialist area.

To make the Rehabilitation Lead aware of any issues / problems regarding service delivery in this specialist area.

To assist in the monitoring of referral & treatment statistics, ensuring the service is delivered in a cost-effective efficient manner.

To act as a resource for clinicians within the department and deliver training programmes as necessary in this specialist area.

To be able to undertake a detailed podiatric assessment and, diagnose and formulate specialised treatment regimens for all patients referred and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment given.

To assist in the development of protocols for treatment of common conditions within the speciality.

To liaise with other health professionals in primary care i.e. physiotherapists, Orthotists

To be responsible for mentoring / training students, junior staff and colleagues who are on rotation / placement.

General Clinical Duties

To lead Podiatry clinical sessions in accordance with RCOP and HCPC minimum standards for clinical practice.

To cover other specialist podiatry clinics containing a wide range of patients, including: high risk diabetics, complex neuropathy, patients with mental health and learning disabilities within inpatient care, chronic diseases i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, vascular problems, wound management / tissue viability, and palliative care patients.

To use highly developed physical skills, precision hand eye co-ordination in safe and effective scalpel technique when debriding ulcers and callosities, involving highly unpleasant substances i.e., body fluids.

To provide care in a range of primary and secondary care settings most of which are in isolation. Often working in difficult conditions, which involve the moving and handling of patients who may be immobile, wheelchair or bed bound.

To provide nail surgery assessments and procedures under local anaesthetic with use of phenol, and re-dressings, necessitating the need for a certificate in local anaesthesia.

To be responsible for prioritising patients according to their medical and podiatric needs, into low / medium / high / urgent risk categories in order to supervise their level of care / speciality into the service.

To plan, organise and undertake a home visiting caseload and health education talks, and facilitate discharge planning of patients.

To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work.

To facilitate and present the podiatry patient education talks that will influence patients’ attitudes and change their historical mind set towards their foot health and evaluate these sessions.

To ensure the maintenance and security of clinical stock, IT equipment, all health promotion and educational resources.

To ensure effective communication of complex information to patients and their relatives and carers to bring about a change in attitude and patient empowerment, utilising excellent negotiation and interpersonal and have the ability to deal sensitively with angry /distressed clients and diffuse potentially volatile situations. This may involve giving unwelcome news to patients or carers about the deterioration of foot pathology.

To work within infection prevention and control guidelines to ensure that therapy/treatment/care does not constitute a risk of infection either to the healthcare professional to the client or to any persons visiting/working in NHS premises. To work in clinics, which may be isolated, hospitals, residential homes, and patient’s homes, liaising with other health care professionals involved with the patient whenever necessary.

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.