Advanced Specialist Podiatrist

Job responsibilities

To provide highly specialist diagnostic assessment, treatment and advice for high risk, ulcerated and most complex cases to maintain and improve patient's mobility and independence and prevention of disability.

To lead and Implement a regular review of outcome measures across the service to ensure the service provided is effective.

To be involved in the operational and strategic development of the service, embracing developments in practice and evidence based medicine.

To act as a source of expertise and undertake training of podiatry students, help colleagues maintain and develop their clinical skills in wound care, and educate other health care professionals on the role of podiatric wound care.

To be responsible for the day to day running of podiatry wound care clinics both in the community and at the Ashford and St Peter's Hospital sites. Cascading information to the whole team, triaging information to the whole team, triaging referrals and requesting investigations.

Be part of the wider multidisciplinary diabetes foot team at Ashford and St Peter's Hospital providing podiatry wound care for both inpatient and outpatient services. Including MDT diabetes Foot Clinics and Hot foot clinics.

To be responsible for maintaining patient pathways between acute and community care.

To lead and Implement a regular review of outcome measures across the service to ensure the service provided is effective.

To be involved in the operational and strategic development of the service, embracing developments in practice and evidence based medicine.

To act as a source of expertise and undertake training of podiatry students, help colleagues maintain and develop their clinical skills in wound care, and educate other health care professionals on the role of podiatric wound care.

To participate in podiatry service wide CPD activities, clinical audits, service pilots, projects and other research activities to support the development of evidence-based practice.

Clinical

To work as an integral member of the podiatry team to deliver high quality, innovative and responsive programmes of podiatric care to patients identified as high risk.

To provide early intervention whenever possible, to maintain mobility and independence, and prevent disability.

Use complex assessments to diagnose and develop highly specialised treatment plans and provide effective podiatric treatments, using a problem-solving approach based on clinical need and evidence based practice. This is predominantly with patients with complex medical conditions such as diabetes.

To be responsible for a complex and specialised caseload involving the implementation and co-ordination of highly specialised treatment regimes including advanced assessment, wound treatment and monitoring, as well as considering alternative management plans.

To evaluate wound care interventions using outcome measures.

To commit to the philosophy of care with an emphasis on patient empowerment and independence by providing education and information to help patients, where appropriate, manage their own foot needs, including footwear advice.

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary teams with Consultants, GPs and AHPs, leading the podiatry input and acting as a source of advice to other health care professionals and patients.

To be highly proficient in comprehensive neurological and vascular assessment, wound debridement, advanced pathology, and gait analysis.

To undertake diagnostic procedures effectively using appropriate equipment e.g. Doppler ultrasound, competently interpreting, recording, acting on and reporting the results.

To provide services at a variety of sites including patient's homes, clinics, health centres and hospitals, often working in challenging conditions and frequently in isolation.

To obtain informed consent prior to treatment plans commencing.

To ensure all new patients are appropriately assessed and existing patients are regularly reviewed.

To undertake specialist wound care treatment for the most medically complex of patients.

To be able to lead colleagues in the event of a clinical emergency during clinical sessions e.g. myocardial infarction, faints or hypoglycaemic attack.

To maintain clear, comprehensive and accurate clinical records. To update patient's medical history, evaluate progression and develop treatment plans as required.

To ensure personal and best practice when exposed to unpleasant working conditions and maintain the highest infection control standards in challenging environments.

To teach and mentor students, newly qualified podiatrists and podiatry assistants in undertaking their relevant procedures.

Professional

To work as an auotonomous clinician working within professional, departmental and CSH guidelines. Using clinical reasoning and decision making skills to determine how best to achieve positive clinical outcomes for patients. To be legally and professionally accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of your patients.

To be aware of one's own scope of practice and to refer to peer's and other professionals as necessary.

To keep up to date with clinical and professional developments and use evidence based practice.

To complete and maintain clinical competencies identified for the post.

To maintain and update an individual Professional Portfolio, and achieve statutory hours of CPD per year.

To actively participate in personal development reviews and clinical supervision.

Leadership

To be responsible for the supervision of junior colleagues and students, and provide specialist training in area of expertise.

Organisational

To work towards achieving the objectives and goals of CSH Surrey.

To share responsibility with all team members for the day-to-day smooth running of the specialist services.

To be responsible for the resources in your clinics. This includes pharmacy supplies, ordering and managing stock.

Ensure equipment is properly maintained at all times and report faults or irregularities to the appropriate person.

To be responsible for security of clinic rooms, equipment and supplies when working at any clinic site or on a domiciliary visit.

To use IT systems appropriately e.g. EMIS, CERNER, NHS e-mail, PACS, ICE, Excel, PowerPoint presentations and offer support and training when required.

To report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or near misses promptly.

Communication and Working Relationships

To communicate effectively with all patients, carers and relatives regarding their understanding of relevant foot care and self care advice, appointments and procedural systems. Understanding pathology and prognosis of different medical conditions, to ensure that patients are fully aware of their foot risk status. Provide empathy and support to patients as required.

To communicate patient related information effectively including future management needs with Consultants, GPs, Allied Health Professionals, Tissue Viability Nurses, District Nurses, Practice Nurses, Multi Disciplinary Teams, Health Visitors, Carers, Social Services and peers to ensure co-ordinated delivery of care.

To work with colleagues in neighbouring organisations to share and develop clinical guidelines and best practice.

To provide health promotional activities with individuals and groups, foot health education sessions as well as individually tailored education during treatments.

Actively involved in RCA of major lower limb amputation to improve service delivery across all the involved professionals and organisations.

To liaise with administrative and clerical staff as the job requires.

Experience

Essential

• Broad spectrum of clinical experience
• 3-5 years postgraduate, NHS experience
• Experienced in the provision of high risk assessments, treatment planning and provision of advanced wound care treatment.
• Knowledge of 1st line antibiotic therapy
• Awareness of current NHS trends and policies, including clinical governance and NSFs
• Awareness of health and safety
• Appreciation of excellent record keeping

Desirable

• Experience in clinical audit
• Experience in research
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience with pressure relieving devices

Skills and other qualities

Essential

• Highly specialist clinical skills to effectively deliver the wound pathway of care.
• Be able to manage a wound care domiciliary caseload
• Broad range of podiatric skills.
• Highly organised and able to prioritise work load.
• Effective communicator.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Good IT skills
• Positive attitude to change.
• Flexible - to be able to work beyond core hours should clinical commitments require it.

Desirable

• Excellent presentation skills

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Podiatrist (DPodM or BSc)
• Local Anaesthetic Certificate
• Car Driver (Full Licence)
• Post graduate education relevant to the role
• Professional Portfolio

Desirable

• Member of Royal College of Podiatry
• Non-medical prescribing qualification
• IRMER certificate/training
• Experience in teaching/training
• Diabetes Foot Module certificate/training
• Post graduate education/studies

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).