Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Podiatric Surgery)

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Podiatric Surgery) to join a highly specialised podiatric surgery service within Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This developmental role offers a structured training pathway combining clinical practice with academic study, leading to a Master of Podiatric Surgery and Advanced Clinical Practice qualification.

Working under the supervision of Consultant Podiatric Surgeons, the post holder will gain experience across outpatient clinics, operating theatres, and multidisciplinary settings, developing skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and surgical management of complex foot conditions. The trainee will progressively build competence and autonomy while contributing to high-quality, patient-centred care.

The role supports development across the four pillars of advanced practice—clinical practice, leadership, education, and research—preparing the post holder for a future career as a Podiatric Surgeon.

Main duties of the job

The Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Podiatric Surgery) will undertake a structured programme of academic and clinical training to develop advanced knowledge and skills in podiatric surgery. Working under the supervision of Consultant Podiatric Surgeons, the post holder will contribute to outpatient clinics, operating theatre sessions and multidisciplinary team care.

Duties include undertaking comprehensive patient assessments, developing clinical decision-making skills, assisting in surgical procedures and peri-operative care, and providing post-operative management including wound care and complication recognition. The trainee will develop competence in advanced local anaesthetic techniques and support safe patient monitoring during procedures.

They will participate in service delivery across community and secondary care settings, contributing to patient-centred care, risk management and clinical governance standards. They will engage in audit, research and service evaluation, supporting continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.

The role requires active participation in the Advanced Clinical Practice apprenticeship and Master of Podiatric Surgery programme, alongside maintaining a reflective surgical log and attending regular supervision. The trainee will also contribute to education, teamwork and service development in line with the four pillars of advanced clinical practice.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Podiatric Surgery) will undertake a structured programme of academic and clinical training designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for advanced clinical practice within podiatric surgery. Working under the supervision of Consultant Podiatric Surgeons, the post holder will progressively develop competence in the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with complex foot conditions across outpatient, theatre and multidisciplinary settings.

The role combines supervised clinical practice with completion of a Master of Podiatric Surgery and Advanced Clinical Practice apprenticeship, requiring development across the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.

Clinical Practice

• Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including medical, vascular, neurological and biomechanical evaluation, to inform clinical decision‑making and treatment planning.
• Participate in outpatient clinics, assessing patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions and contributing to diagnosis and management under supervision.
• Develop competence in podiatric surgical procedures and peri‑operative care through participation in operating theatre lists.
• Assist in theatre preparation, intra‑operative care and post‑operative recovery, maintaining patient safety at all times.
• Administer and develop advanced local anaesthetic techniques, including digital, ankle and popliteal blocks, with appropriate monitoring of patients.
• Provide post‑operative management, including wound care, cast management, and early recognition and escalation of complications (e.g. infection, DVT, CRPS).
• Contribute to discharge planning, rehabilitation pathways and patient education to support recovery and optimise outcomes.
• Deliver elements of conservative management, including orthotic prescription, footwear advice and injection therapy where appropriate.
• Work within agreed competency frameworks, recognising the limits of own practice and seeking support where required.

Leadership and Management

• Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to safe and effective delivery of podiatric surgery services.
• Support the maintenance of high standards of clinical governance, infection prevention, and patient safety.
• Participate in service development and quality improvement initiatives aligned to local and Trust priorities.
• Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries to support integrated care delivery.
• Demonstrate professional accountability, working within legal, ethical and organisational frameworks.

Education and Training

• Actively engage in the Advanced Clinical Practice apprenticeship and Master of Podiatric Surgery programme.
• Maintain an accurate and contemporaneous reflective surgical log to evidence progression of clinical competencies.
• Participate in regular supervision with Consultant Podiatric Surgeons and structured clinical supervision processes.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
• Contribute to the education and support of colleagues, students and the wider multidisciplinary team where appropriate.

Research, Audit and Evaluation

• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activities, including use of PASCOM‑10 and healthcare record audits.
• Critically appraise and apply evidence‑based practice to inform patient care and service delivery.
• Contribute to research activity and complete an academic research project as part of the Master of Podiatric Surgery programme.
• Support the development, review and implementation of clinical policies, protocols and guidelines.

Professional Responsibilities

• Practice in accordance with the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and the Royal College of Podiatry professional standards.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records.
• Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and colleagues, including the management of sensitive and complex information.
• Actively contribute to safeguarding, infection prevention and control, and risk management processes.
• Work within Trust policies, procedures and values at all time

A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.