About this role
Job summary
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: [email protected]
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.
About us
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. We provide services across Warwickshire Hospitals and Community Services. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks Many of the roles we advertise have a requirement for a DBS check to be carried out. If you are successful for a role and it requires a DBS check the Trust will carry out the initial check and subscription to the DBS Update Service, however successful candidates will be expected to cover the associated costs.
Probationary Period All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 3 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2
We appreciate you completing the survey.
Job description Job 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 departments 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 patients homes, liaising with other health care professionals involved with the patient whenever necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Must have a recognised Podiatry degree qualification or equivalent Must be a registered Podiatrist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered member of College of Podiatrists
Desirable
Evidence of Continual Professional Development (CPD) Be able to show evidence of post graduate training or special interest in Diabetes
Experience Essential
Experience across a wide range of podiatry interventions Must understand what is required in maintaining clinical records and understand confidentiality UUnderstand what is meant by decontamination and f infection prevention and control.
Desirable
To be able to carry out clinical audit when requested
Skills Essential
Must be able to recognise, through carrying out in depth assessment, high risk cases and formulate treatment plans To be able to plan own caseload and demonstrate experience of appointment systems Must be able to carry out anaesthetics and nail surgery Must be able to diagnose biomechanical conditions to prescribe orthotics, and give footwear advice Must be able to use computers and information technology i.e. word, PowerPoint, Microsoft teams etc. Be willing to go through the annual appraisal system Must attend departmental and Trust mandatory days
Desirable
To recognise the value of Podiatry Assistants and be able to refer suitable cases to them
Personal Qualities Essential
Must have empathy & sympathy for patients
Desirable
Be able to give health education talks and use various health promotion aids
Other Essential
Must be able to drive, have own means of transport and hold a current driving licence
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 South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Rugby
Orchard Centre Lower Hillmorton Road
Rugby
CV21 3SR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)