Podiatry Apprentice

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Podiatry Service has an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our growing workforce. The successful apprentice will join our existing apprentices within our progressive and supportive podiatry team.

Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality clinical care to people of all ages. A Podiatrists job is to work to protect people's feet, providing preventative advice, care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the lower limb.

The degree apprenticeship is a three-year programme of work-based learning that is directly related to the apprenticeship standard. In addition, the apprenticeship has a mandatory 20% off-the-job learning. The University-based Honours degree study is also linked to the Apprenticeship Standard. You will need to meet the eligibility and enrolment criteria - please visit Plymouth University website for full details on the course and the entry requirements - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bsc-podiatry

Main duties of the job

• To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard to progress through the programme.
• To ensure timely achievement of assignments and assessments in accordance with the academic programme requirements.
• To gain experience during the period of the apprenticeship in a wide range of clinical areas, working under the supervision of a Registered Practitioner.
• To gain knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes for patients with a wide variety of clinical needs, including acute or chronic neuropathies, chronic diseases, vascular problems and wound management.
• To provide appropriate education to patients with diverse foot pathology, utilising analytical and reasoning skills in this process to empower the patient and others to participate in the patient's self-care.
• To gain experience during the period of the apprenticeship in a wide range of clinical areas including diabetes, rheumatology, biomechanics, tissue viability, nail surgery and wound management.

Due to the need to travel to different locations, it is essential that the post holder has a full UK drivers licence drive with access to their own vehicle and appropriate insurance.

The service operates (Monday to Friday) between 8.30am & 5.00pm.

Although the role is primarily at a Podiatry hub location such as Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil and Glastonbury, there are spoke clinics that will require support from time to time.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!