About this role
Job summary
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Community podiatrist to join the Halton Podiatry service to provide high quality clinical assessment and interventions to the population of Halton.
We are looking for a well-motivated and dynamic clinician who possesses the appropriate level of professional knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, implement, and evaluate individual care plans for high-risk patients.
You will work across the community and in acute settings, providing podiatry to patients both in community clinics and in their own homes. You will also use your specialist knowledge and skills to provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to the assessment, treatment planning , treatment and if necessary appropriate onward referral of high-risk patients.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will possess an appropriate level of professional knowledge and skill to assess, diagnose and implement individual care plans for high risk patients. They will hold a clinical caseload which will include patients to be considered high risk due to conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis/ Connective tissue disorders, Diabetes, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Neuropathy and lower limb deformities leading to poor foot function. They will work across community and hospital settings including patients homes to provide in depth knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans and evaluation of care of patients presenting with high risk foot complications. To provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to high risk foot care.
About us
Flexible working will be considered for all roles.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.
Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.
Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).
They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.
Our mission
We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other
Our vision
We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn
Our values
Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all One team: We work well together and with our communities
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will possess an appropriate level of professional knowledge and skill to assess, diagnose and implement individual care plans for high risk patients. They will hold a clinical caseload which will include patients to be considered high risk due to conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis/ Connective tissue disorders, Diabetes, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Neuropathy and lower limb deformities leading to poor foot function.
They will work across community and hospital settings including patients homes to provide in depth knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans and evaluation of care of patients presenting with high risk foot complications. To provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to high risk foot care.
They will take a lead role in the Multi-disciplinary Diabetes foot clinic for Halton.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To work as an autonomous practitioner and lone worker, providing wound care management for patients with high-risk foot need. This includes sharp debridement, wound swabs, antibiotic requests, provision of pressure relieving devices, footwear referrals, neuro-vascular assessment, providing and evaluating a suitable dressing regime, and liaison with other health professionals. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of podiatric care to patients who have high risk foot need.
To recognise and respond appropriately when presented with acute foot conditions which may be life or limb threatening. Also to recognise the need for future / urgent referral for non-healing or deteriorating wounds e.g to vascular consultant for further investigation, diabetes specialist nurse to improve diabetes control. To be prepared to see patients with high-risk foot need who may present at any time as emergencies without a pre-booked appointment. To work in the multidisciplinary foot clinics where patients with varying degrees of acute lower limb problems may present in unpredictable numbers. To be responsible for the delivery of foot care education and advice to patients, patient groups, relatives, carers and other health care professionals. To be available to colleagues for second opinions and advice regarding management of high risk podiatry patients. Also be prepared to answer queries and offer advice regarding foot problems to patients and other professionals over the phone. To promote professionalism within the department. To act as a mentor, particularly in the field of high risk foot care, providing advice and support when necessary. To manufacture and fit chair side appliances eg insoles and silicone devices. To carry out baseline biomechanical assessments To provide soft casting for foot ulceration and/or vulnerable tissues Arrange X Rays for patients with suspected underlying bony deformities. To carry out advanced vascular assessments. To carry out nail surgery procedures Follow up and action any arranged investigations ensuring appropriate care and treatment is arranged. To have the ability to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation including the drawing up and administration of adrenalin for anaphylactic shock, if required. To provide supervision, advice and education to students To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical work. To devise assessment tools and pathways for use within the department e.g advanced vascular assessment form, foot ulcer referral pathway. To follow departmental and trust policies. To assist in the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines. To follow clinical guidelines but have the discretion to make own clinical diagnosis and decisions within professional boundaries where appropriate. To carry out clerical duties when necessary.
Professional Development
Participate in regular Performance development review. Maintain and develop own standards of care, identifying own training needs and using the latest research as guidance. Undertake training and regular updates to podiatry staff using best practice. Roll out evidence based practice and identify poor practice. To supervise and take an active part in the training of students. To maintain Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) To work within the HCPCs code of conduct, trust policies and procedures and adhere to the patients charter. Maintain and update skills and knowledge of developments in Podiatry with particular reference to high risk foot care, its management and complications through continual professional development (CPD). Commitment to CPD and lifelong learning is essential in the regular attendance at recognised conferences and courses and the evidence of any changes in practice as a result must be cascaded through the department. Attendance at the North West Clinical Effectiveness Group (Diabetes) to keep abreast of new developments and work within the surrounding trusts.
Communication
Communicate effectively with patients and carers to take a relevant medical history and obtain diagnostic information and informed consent, by informing, explaining, persuading and motivating. Overcoming barriers to effective communication. Have the ability to use the decision making process to identify when patients require the intervention of other professionals by following agreed departmental referral pathways. Provide appropriate foot health education and advice to patients on a one to one basis and groups of patients, in partnership with external organisations and voluntary agencies. Liaise with other health care professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary team, sharing skills and knowledge. Have the ability to diffuse conflict in confrontation/ stressful situations over the telephone or face to face and to mediate between colleagues if necessary. Liaise closely with admin and clerical staff in a clear and concise manner. Manage difficult conversations e.g patients pre/ post amputation or recently bereaved. Employ good listening and supervisory skills when mentoring of junior staff. Understand and account for learning styles when undertaking training of other clinicians. Please see attached Full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Job Specific Requirements Essential
The ability to travel independently across the Trust The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs
Right to Work Essential
Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK? If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)? Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Possess good verbal and written communication skills, as they will be dealing with a wide range of patients. This may involve persuasion, negotiation, explanation, motivation and gained informed and written consent from patients suffering a wide range of complex conditions which may cause communication difficulties. Communication skills also required for good working relationships with other professionals within and outside the department. High level of knowledge of Diabetes and its complications Ability to undertake advanced vascular assessment of the lower limb In depth knowledge of wound assessment, wound care and dressing regimes Knowledge in the evaluation of dressing regimes
Right to Work Essential
Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK? If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)? Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.
Qualifications Essential
Evidence of research Qualifications BSc / Diploma in Podiatric Medicine Extensive postgraduate experience with evidence of successful completion of specialist long and short courses up to Masters level equivalent e.g Vascular Disease Management, Wound Healing Foundation module, Diabetes Diploma Non Medical Prescribing qualification Certificate in Local Anaesthesia Registered with the Health Care Professions Council
Desirable
Post graduate study in Research Formal qualification in teaching / health education.
Experience Essential
Demonstrable post graduate experience Experience of working in a Multidisciplinary Team particularly a foot ulcer clinic Knowledge of continuous lifelong learning, including a CPD portfolio with evidence of reflective practice. The ability to present / teach to variety of audiences. Shows excellent understanding of pathways based on new national and local guidelines. To be able to mediate between staff. Willingness to undertake any further training required to carry out the job. Be open to change. To be able to work under pressure as this is a very demanding position. They should be flexible and responsive to the needs of the service and patients.
Desirable
Experience of Audit, Research and development Experience of coaching / mentoring of staff Ability to carry out soft casting OtherExcellent organisational and logistical skills.
Relationships Essential
If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)
Address St Pauls Health Centre
High Street
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1AB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)