Podiatrist - Band 6

To work as part of an autonomous and innovative team specialising in footand lower limb pathologies.

To assess, diagnose, implement and develop individualised assessment and treatment programmes for patients with an emphasis on medical need. This will involve general and specialist care within a range of locations, including clinical, domiciliary, hospital, and other external settings with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.

To commit to a philosophy of care with emphasis on client empowerment and self-care.

To work as a highly motivated team member within the podiatry andmultidisciplinary team setting and with external organisations and settings to achieve the best patient outcome.

Clinical Duties

To be responsible and accountable for the complex assessment, diagnosisand treatment of new and existing patients with a wide variety of Podiatric complaints.

This includes diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders,vascular and neurological disorders, systemic diseases, chronic pathologies,emergency treatments, wound management, paediatrics, deformities, and nail and skin pathologies.You will be expected to treat a wide variety of patient groups including those with special needs, the housebound, children, the elderly adults, vulnerable groups and those from different cultural backgrounds with the possibility of communication barriers,

To demonstrate sound clinical expertise and knowledge in the management of serious and high-risk pathologies, whilst keeping fully informed of current best practice and becoming involved with the development, updating and implementation of evidence based practice guidelines.

The provision, organisation and evaluation of highly specialised Podiatric care plans tailored to patients medical needs with regular review and the ability to identify and co-ordinate further interventions.

Make referrals to other specialists from within the department and outside,facilitating safe and appropriate discharge where indicated.

To be aware and recognise the contribution of our assessment within thewhole health care package/profile

To undertake specialist diabetes and high-risk sessions for the assessmentand treatment of patients where duties will include:

Undertaking Diabetic foot assessments and diabetic foot management andeducation.

Working with challenging groups including those with mental healthproblems

Management of foot ulcersTo identify risk factors and to prioritise patients into risk categoriesTo arrange emergency admission into hospital when indicatedProviding emergency clinical and domiciliary careTo participate in department rotations through areas of clinical speciality, for example, Nail surgery, MSK and Acute rotations at our hospital sites.

To provide care in a variety of settings often involving the ability to work alone and independently, and also with the Podiatry team. Such settings will include (but is not limited to):Community Health Centres, Residential and Nursing Homes, Patients Homes

To be able and willing to work in some areas with high levels of socialdeprivation.

To have highly developed physical skills, precision hand/eye coordinationrequiring frequent concentration for prolonged periods, and a comprehensive knowledge base, for example, highly skilled debridement techniques for acute/chronic, neuropathic and ischaemic wounds.

To conduct local anaesthetic techniques and minor surgery procedureswithout assistance, with the ability to manage anaphylactic shock if required.

To be responsible for the professional day-to-day coordination andmanagement of patients caseloads and clinics. This will involve goodcommunication with other podiatrists and administrative staff to maintain good working relationships and communication.

To ensure Trust standards and policies are adhered to.

To be responsible for maintaining professional, accurate and comprehensive patient records using the S.O.A.P format, managing appointment systems and maintaining, monitoring and securing equipment, instruments, pharmacy and stock levels.

To contribute to the strategic development and improvement of existingservices and facilitate the instigation of new service development by working as part of an innovative team.

Participate in audit and service evaluation.

To be safely involved in the provision of Foot Health education andappropriate specialist advice sensitively to patients, relatives and careers, and to organise and participate in health promotion activities and training events to groups, colleagues, professionals and individuals.

To frequently prescribe and apply the application of technology formeasurement, monitoring and treatment using specialist complex equipment such as Gait analysis systems and Doppler ultrasound.

We are a large community based service comprised of thirty podiatrists and two podiatry assistants who work across the central London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. We have a fantastic, diverse and friendly team and we work closely with those in the hospital based teams at Guy's and St Thomas'. The hospital sites offer multidisciplinary team wound care and review, musculoskeletal services and podiatric surgery.

We schedule regular education sessions where we can all come together to enhance our knowledge as a team and have quarterly team meetings alongside the hospital based team.

Essential: - Experience of treating high risk caseload; - Experience in assessing patients (medical, neurological and vascular status); - Experience of domiciliary work; - Broad clinical experience in general Podiatry

Desirable: - Experience of working in a MDT Diabetic Foot Clinic; - Experience of treating MSK conditions; - Experience of minor surgery techniques

Essential: - Able to work autonomously or as part of a team; - Excellent communication skills shown through quality of application submitted; - Commitment to continuous improvement of service

Desirable: - Interdisciplinary working skills; - Skills in supervising and training others; - Skills in clinical audit

Essential: - Degree or a Diploma in Podiatry; - HCPC registered

Desirable: - Relevant MSc; - Driving licence