Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly specialist podiatrist to support our podiatric surgery service. The post holder will work directly within the podiatric surgery team and be supported by the wider Foot Health Service. This is a great opportunity for an ambitious and experienced podiatrist. As the service is live and being operating from the Elective Recovery Fund, the post is best suited to a podiatrist currently working within a surgical unit. Please note, this is not a training style post. The role has scope to develop self-directed projects which will be supported by a Podiatric Surgeon and Head of Podiatry.
We offer regular team meetings, protected learning time as a team and regular clinical supervision.
The role will include some weekend work as our theatre date is on selected Saturdays. The days of mid week working are negotiable and dependent on service capacity.
Main duties of the job
Job Summary:
- To be part of a highly motivated team, providing a high standard of clinical care within the Podiatric Surgery unit which specialises in the management of elective surgical footcare.
- To act as a specialist liaison for the Musculoskeletal and Community Podiatry Team providing specialist advice regarding the Podiatric Surgical Service to Podiatrists, professionals in other specialties, and patients/carers.
- To contribute to specialist programs of care for patients requiring surgical intervention and assist the responsible Podiatric Surgeon in conducting outpatient clinics, telephone clinics, and theatre sessions. Including post-operative wound care and medical clinical clerking, injection therapy and minor outpatient procedures.
- To teach/instruct Podiatrists, student Podiatrists and other Podiatry Staff as requested by the Consultant Podiatric Surgeons, Team lead or Theatre lead.
- To participate in research and audit as required by the Department.
- To identify, develop and adhere to policies, strategies and objectives of the Podiatric Surgery team and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Result Areas & Performance:
Clinical Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, demonstrate and apply extended scope knowledge, assessment and practical skills in relation to the foot and its associated structures.
- To provide clinical care prior and throughout the pathway of foot surgery within a highly specialised multi-disciplinary team.
- To participate in the podiatric assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of conservative podiatric interventions, which may include:
- Initiating biomechanical treatment and provision of orthoses/exercises and refer to highly specialised community podiatrist/MSK podiatrist as appropriate.
- Administering hydrocortisone injections (subject to additional training and demonstration of knowledge and competence).
- Providing footwear advice.
- To participate in the assessment of patients prior to foot, this may include:
- Obtaining a full medical and social history with a particular emphasis on risk factors pertaining to foot surgery.
- Requesting diagnostic tests such as blood tests, thrombophilic screening, diagnostic imaging, and urinalysis, and acting on the results appropriately.
- Undertaking cardiovascular assessment and lower limb vascular assessment using Doppler, ABPI, and blood pressure analysis.
- Undertaking basic neurological assessment
- To liaise with other specialists (e.g. microbiology and radiology) where required.
- To issue medication under exemptions certificate (POM A&S) PGDs or via independent prescribing.
- To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- To undertake patient care during surgery, this may include:
- Administering advanced local/regional anaesthetic injections including digital, ankle, and popliteal blocks (with or without ultrasound guidance).
- Issuing or administering antibiotic and anxiolytic (sedative) medication
- Monitoring the patient, for early signs of medical emergencies and taking appropriate action and resuscitation as necessary.
- Undertaking electrosurgical procedures
- Undertaking or assisting in patient pre & peri-admission clerking /checks (eg patient identification; consent to surgery; blood results; imaging availability; limb marking) prior to surgery.
- Undertaking peri-operative observation, monitoring and assisting the Consultant Podiatric Surgeon within the surgical field.
- Undertaking recognised surgical scrub up, draping and maintaining a sterile surgical field.
- Supporting & Instructing the theatre scrub team on matters of podiatric surgery
- Applying appropriate plaster casts post-operatively, and/or aircast boots.
- Assessing for post-operative discharge
- Coordinating the discharge process
- To undertake post-operative patient care, this may include:
- Monitoring post-operative process
- Wound management
- Supporting & instructing the recovery team at hospital discharge from podiatric surgery
- Cast, suture, and wire removal
- Advice regarding physical therapy techniques, scar and swelling management, and overall rehabilitation.
- Monitoring for signs of post-operative complications including infection, deep vein thrombosis, fracture, complex regional pain syndrome, and coordinating onward referral to acute services.
- Affecting the eventual discharge of the patient from the service with the appropriate follow-on advice and realistic expectations.
- The application of physical skills, precision hand-eye coordination which involves highly skilled local anaesthetic techniques including ultrasound guidance, surgical assistance, and suture removal, often for prolonged periods requiring intense concentration.
Professional and Practice Responsibilities
- To act as a mentor to junior colleagues, new team members, health care assistance and visiting students/colleagues.
- To provide specialist clinical observations and advice to community podiatry colleagues, student podiatrists; theatre staff; and other health professional where appropriate.
- To be responsible for the maintenance of high standards of clinical hygiene, stock and equipment control, and for the safe and secure storage of all items, such as medication, within the premises used for work.
- To participate in the identification and trial of new equipment and products.
- To be actively involved in the provision of foot health education and advice to patients, relatives, and carers, and to participate in foot health training where appropriate.
- To follow uni-professional and multi-professional guidelines on evidence based practice.
- To be actively involved in the development and implementation of policies, and procedures, informed by the evidence of the clinical specialism. This may include Patient Group Directives, care pathway development, protocols and guidelines for both surgical and musculoskeletal processes.
- To be aware of and adhere to and implement service and Trust plans and policies, but have the discretion to make own clinical diagnosis and decisions within professional guidelines.
- To ensure consultations and record keeping is completed within the given time.
- To undertake additional clinical responsibilities at the request of the Head of Service / Consultant. There may you will be requested to support with general, high risk or MSK clinics in an outpatient setting to support the wider foot health service. You may also be asked to take leave in the absence of the Podiatric Surgeon.
- To be accountable for own professional action and manage an agreed caseload independently, seeking advice as appropriate.
- To provide expert clinical advice to healthcare professionals and other Podiatry colleagues who work with patients presenting complex foot problems, in particular anaesthesia and surgical management.
- To act as a resource of expertise and knowledge in foot pathology, with particular emphasis on surgical techniques and musculoskeletal disorders.
- When required, to ensure appropriate high levels of clinical supervision and leadership for other members of the surgical team.
- To assist with the identification of training needs within the team and appraise less experienced staff as appropriate to the team structure. This may involve support staff.
- To self direct clinical governance/audit reports/research within the local services in addition to those requested by the Head of service / Podiatric Surgeon.
- To work independently, accessing appraisal within an individual performance framework at pre-determined intervals.
- To maintain own personal and professional development plan and portfolio, appraising ones own performance and discussing development needs with mentors, supervisors and managers on an annual basis as a minimum standard.
- To maintain HCPC registration and appropriate CPD portfolio
- To work at all times within the relevant HCPC standards.
- To undertake annual performance and review meetings with the designated senior clinician, and to fulfil CPD and personal development requirements identified through the appraisal process.
- Take responsibility for personal development and education, and the development of a personal development plan.
- To undertake additional advanced training and regular updates to improve service delivery at the point of care including: IRMER radiology, pharmacology, advanced anaesthetics, and intermediate life support.
- To participate in the planning and delivery of in-service training.
Communication
- To ensure effective communication with patient, relatives and carers using both verbal and non-verbal communication tools:
- Obtaining medical history and diagnostic information
- Ensuring patient understanding, shared decision making and adherence with treatment programs prior to consent.
- Being aware of patients complex conditions or multiple pathologies including those emotional, physical and psychological conditions (e.g. deafness, dysphasia) which may affect their understanding.
- To inform and reassure patients of their available treatment options. Discuss their individual needs and empathise with their concerns regarding both the presenting problem and the nature of the treatments available.
- To participate in the effective communication of complex, highly sensitive and emotional information to patients, which requires excellent interpersonal, negotiation counselling skills. This includes information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, surgical procedures, benefits, risks and potential complications, and rehabilitation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Result Areas & Performance:
Clinical Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, demonstrate and apply extended scope knowledge, assessment and practical skills in relation to the foot and its associated structures.
- To provide clinical care prior and throughout the pathway of foot surgery within a highly specialised multi-disciplinary team.
- To participate in the podiatric assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of conservative podiatric interventions, which may include:
- Initiating biomechanical treatment and provision of orthoses/exercises and refer to highly specialised community podiatrist/MSK podiatrist as appropriate.
- Administering hydrocortisone injections (subject to additional training and demonstration of knowledge and competence).
- Providing footwear advice.
- To participate in the assessment of patients prior to foot, this may include:
- Obtaining a full medical and social history with a particular emphasis on risk factors pertaining to foot surgery.
- Requesting diagnostic tests such as blood tests, thrombophilic screening, diagnostic imaging, and urinalysis, and acting on the results appropriately.
- Undertaking cardiovascular assessment and lower limb vascular assessment using Doppler, ABPI, and blood pressure analysis.
- Undertaking basic neurological assessment
- To liaise with other specialists (e.g. microbiology and radiology) where required.
- To issue medication under exemptions certificate (POM A&S) PGDs or via independent prescribing.
- To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent, and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- To undertake patient care during surgery, this may include:
- Administering advanced local/regional anaesthetic injections including digital, ankle, and popliteal blocks (with or without ultrasound guidance).
- Issuing or administering antibiotic and anxiolytic (sedative) medication
- Monitoring the patient, for early signs of medical emergencies and taking appropriate action and resuscitation as necessary.
- Undertaking electrosurgical procedures
- Undertaking or assisting in patient pre & peri-admission clerking /checks (eg patient identification; consent to surgery; blood results; imaging availability; limb marking) prior to surgery.
- Undertaking peri-operative observation, monitoring and assisting the Consultant Podiatric Surgeon within the surgical field.
- Undertaking recognised surgical scrub up, draping and maintaining a sterile surgical field.
- Supporting & Instructing the theatre scrub team on matters of podiatric surgery
- Applying appropriate plaster casts post-operatively, and/or aircast boots.
- Assessing for post-operative discharge
- Coordinating the discharge process
- To undertake post-operative patient care, this may include:
- Monitoring post-operative process
- Wound management
- Supporting & instructing the recovery team at hospital discharge from podiatric surgery
- Cast, suture, and wire removal
- Advice regarding physical therapy techniques, scar and swelling management, and overall rehabilitation.
- Monitoring for signs of post-operative complications including infection, deep vein thrombosis, fracture, complex regional pain syndrome, and coordinating onward referral to acute services.
- Affecting the eventual discharge of the patient from the service with the appropriate follow-on advice and realistic expectations.
- The application of physical skills, precision hand-eye coordination which involves highly skilled local anaesthetic techniques including ultrasound guidance, surgical assistance, and suture removal, often for prolonged periods requiring intense concentration.
Professional and Practice Responsibilities
- To act as a mentor to junior colleagues, new team members, health care assistance and visiting students/colleagues.
- To provide specialist clinical observations and advice to community podiatry colleagues, student podiatrists; theatre staff; and other health professional where appropriate.
- To be responsible for the maintenance of high standards of clinical hygiene, stock and equipment control, and for the safe and secure storage of all items, such as medication, within the premises used for work.
- To participate in the identification and trial of new equipment and products.
- To be actively involved in the provision of foot health education and advice to patients, relatives, and carers, and to participate in foot health training where appropriate.
- To follow uni-professional and multi-professional guidelines on evidence based practice.
- To be actively involved in the development and implementation of policies, and procedures, informed by the evidence of the clinical specialism. This may include Patient Group Directives, care pathway development, protocols and guidelines for both surgical and musculoskeletal processes.
- To be aware of and adhere to and implement service and Trust plans and policies, but have the discretion to make own clinical diagnosis and decisions within professional guidelines.
- To ensure consultations and record keeping is completed within the given time.
- To undertake additional clinical responsibilities at the request of the Head of Service / Consultant. There may you will be requested to support with general, high risk or MSK clinics in an outpatient setting to support the wider foot health service. You may also be asked to take leave in the absence of the Podiatric Surgeon.
- To be accountable for own professional action and manage an agreed caseload independently, seeking advice as appropriate.
- To provide expert clinical advice to healthcare professionals and other Podiatry colleagues who work with patients presenting complex foot problems, in particular anaesthesia and surgical management.
- To act as a resource of expertise and knowledge in foot pathology, with particular emphasis on surgical techniques and musculoskeletal disorders.
- When required, to ensure appropriate high levels of clinical supervision and leadership for other members of the surgical team.
- To assist with the identification of training needs within the team and appraise less experienced staff as appropriate to the team structure. This may involve support staff.
- To self direct clinical governance/audit reports/research within the local services in addition to those requested by the Head of service / Podiatric Surgeon.
- To work independently, accessing appraisal within an individual performance framework at pre-determined intervals.
- To maintain own personal and professional development plan and portfolio, appraising ones own performance and discussing development needs with mentors, supervisors and managers on an annual basis as a minimum standard.
- To maintain HCPC registration and appropriate CPD portfolio
- To work at all times within the relevant HCPC standards.
- To undertake annual performance and review meetings with the designated senior clinician, and to fulfil CPD and personal development requirements identified through the appraisal process.
- Take responsibility for personal development and education, and the development of a personal development plan.
- To undertake additional advanced training and regular updates to improve service delivery at the point of care including: IRMER radiology, pharmacology, advanced anaesthetics, and intermediate life support.
- To participate in the planning and delivery of in-service training.
Communication
- To ensure effective communication with patient, relatives and carers using both verbal and non-verbal communication tools:
- Obtaining medical history and diagnostic information
- Ensuring patient understanding, shared decision making and adherence with treatment programs prior to consent.
- Being aware of patients complex conditions or multiple pathologies including those emotional, physical and psychological conditions (e.g. deafness, dysphasia) which may affect their understanding.
- To inform and reassure patients of their available treatment options. Discuss their individual needs and empathise with their concerns regarding both the presenting problem and the nature of the treatments available.
- To participate in the effective communication of complex, highly sensitive and emotional information to patients, which requires excellent interpersonal, negotiation counselling skills. This includes information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, surgical procedures, benefits, risks and potential complications, and rehabilitation.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oRegistered HCPC Podiatrist oPodiatry Degree oCertificate of Competence in Local Anaesthetic
- oIRMER certificate oEvidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- oWorking towards or have MSc Theory of Podiatric Surgery and or have achieved Part 1 Primary Fellowship of COP
- oPostgraduate experience/clinical expertise in musculoskeletal and surgical management of the foot
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of appropriate competency/working in a surgical unit oAble to prepare patients for theatre
- oExperience of working in a Podiatric Surgery unit oExperience of multi-disciplinary working
- oCompetent in steroid injection therapy oCompetency in administration of advanced local analgesia (eg Popliteal /Ankle) oILS trained
Desirable
- oCannulation/phlebotomy skills oExperience of using electronic health records
- oExperience in the work-up of medically compromised patients including arranging hematological tests, histopathology, microbiology and all elements of radiography oDesign and implementation of research and developing programs/research and publications portfolio
Knowledge
Essential
- oGood clinical skills in the history taking and work-up of complex patients oDemonstrable evidence of multi-professional working and clinical practice
- oGood IT skills with ability to use the office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) oClinical leadership, support and teaching to all relevant personnel within the specialist area.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oAbility to work effectively and communicate with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors.
- oAbility to teach, support and provide an appropriate environment for training of all staff involved in the delivery of peri-operative services
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oRegistered HCPC Podiatrist oPodiatry Degree oCertificate of Competence in Local Anaesthetic
- oIRMER certificate oEvidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- oWorking towards or have MSc Theory of Podiatric Surgery and or have achieved Part 1 Primary Fellowship of COP
- oPostgraduate experience/clinical expertise in musculoskeletal and surgical management of the foot
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of appropriate competency/working in a surgical unit oAble to prepare patients for theatre
- oExperience of working in a Podiatric Surgery unit oExperience of multi-disciplinary working
- oCompetent in steroid injection therapy oCompetency in administration of advanced local analgesia (eg Popliteal /Ankle) oILS trained
Desirable
- oCannulation/phlebotomy skills oExperience of using electronic health records
- oExperience in the work-up of medically compromised patients including arranging hematological tests, histopathology, microbiology and all elements of radiography oDesign and implementation of research and developing programs/research and publications portfolio
Knowledge
Essential
- oGood clinical skills in the history taking and work-up of complex patients oDemonstrable evidence of multi-professional working and clinical practice
- oGood IT skills with ability to use the office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) oClinical leadership, support and teaching to all relevant personnel within the specialist area.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oAbility to work effectively and communicate with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors.
- oAbility to teach, support and provide an appropriate environment for training of all staff involved in the delivery of peri-operative services
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
