Job summary
With significant new investment into the service, we are looking to expand our workforce to meet the increasing demand for specialist podiatric care.
We have a vacancy for an experienced enthusiastic Band 7 Podiatrist to join our rapidly growing Diabetes Service to support both outpatients and inpatients.
A willingness to learn and develop your expertise and knowledge is essential, along with the ability to function well as a team. There will be opportunities to be involved with audit, quality improvement and pathway implementation, supported by a new group of consultants.
Main duties of the job
To provide highly specialised podiatric care for patients attending the Diabetic Foot Service.
The Foot service is a podiatry-led, multidisciplinary unit which provides advanced assessment and diagnostic techniques and expert specialist foot care for high risk patients with complex foot pathologies related to diabetes.
The post holder will be expected to deliver a high quality podiatry service at the PRUH site in the outpatient Diabetic Foot Clinic (DFC) as well as supporting complex inpatients, escalating to the acute MDT at KCH or stepping down to local services as required by following an established pathway of expert care.
The PRUH DFC currently runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A vascular surgeon attends for the vascular MDT on Fridays. The cohort of patients at the PRUH is quite elderly and this can present additional sophisticated psychosocial needs thus holistic care is highly important. We also have complex elective foot reconstruction surgery on-site which require specialist post-operative podiatric care and adds to the mixture of cases that the post holder will be exposed to.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Carry out thorough foot assessment including neuropathy and vascular assessment.
- Provide advice on the most appropriate pressure relieving devices for specific conditions including liaison with the orthotics department for appropriate footwear provision.
- Act as an expert in the use of specific treatments and advanced wound techniques including sharp debridement of wounds. (Knowledge on topical negative pressure wound therapy and/ or larval therapy is desirable).
- Ensure that where appropriate each patient has a comprehensive wound assessment undertaken and a referral is made to the appropriate speciality.
- Support the MDT by facilitating the booking of investigations and interpretation of results.
- To understand advantages and disadvantages in total contact casting and be willing to become an expert in its application.
- Identify areas of poor practice and respond appropriately ensuring the delivery of safe and effective practice
- Work closely with community colleagues, Tissue Viability Nurse Specialists and podiatry services to ensure continuity of care.
- Act as a role model and clinical expert in diabetic foot management, by promoting and demonstrating first class care through evidence based practice and research.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently with patients with diabetic foot problems and manage effectively a patient caseload with the support from the multidisciplinary team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Carry out thorough foot assessment including neuropathy and vascular assessment.
- Provide advice on the most appropriate pressure relieving devices for specific conditions including liaison with the orthotics department for appropriate footwear provision.
- Act as an expert in the use of specific treatments and advanced wound techniques including sharp debridement of wounds. (Knowledge on topical negative pressure wound therapy and/ or larval therapy is desirable).
- Ensure that where appropriate each patient has a comprehensive wound assessment undertaken and a referral is made to the appropriate speciality.
- Support the MDT by facilitating the booking of investigations and interpretation of results.
- To understand advantages and disadvantages in total contact casting and be willing to become an expert in its application.
- Identify areas of poor practice and respond appropriately ensuring the delivery of safe and effective practice
- Work closely with community colleagues, Tissue Viability Nurse Specialists and podiatry services to ensure continuity of care.
- Act as a role model and clinical expert in diabetic foot management, by promoting and demonstrating first class care through evidence based practice and research.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently with patients with diabetic foot problems and manage effectively a patient caseload with the support from the multidisciplinary team.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- HPC registration
- Demonstrate supplementary specialist postgraduate theoretical and practical training/study
- A capable practitioner either through formal qualification (Degree) and/or clinical experience pertinent
- Experience of ulcer debridement and advanced wound techniques
Desirable
- Advance knowledge of infections, microbiology and antibiotic treatments used in diabetic foot wounds
- Willingness to undertake Msc / PhD
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Effective management of own case loads
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to impart complex information to patients, relatives and carers, with different levels of understanding
- Adaptable and responsive to changing needs
- Able to use own initiative
- Ability to identify stress in self and others and to take effective action to manage the situation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Computer literacy
- Leadership skills
- Patient Centred approach
Desirable
- 5 years' experience at band 6 or above working within a diabetic foot multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic
- Experience of running research and audit programmes
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- HPC registration
- Demonstrate supplementary specialist postgraduate theoretical and practical training/study
- A capable practitioner either through formal qualification (Degree) and/or clinical experience pertinent
- Experience of ulcer debridement and advanced wound techniques
Desirable
- Advance knowledge of infections, microbiology and antibiotic treatments used in diabetic foot wounds
- Willingness to undertake Msc / PhD
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Effective management of own case loads
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to impart complex information to patients, relatives and carers, with different levels of understanding
- Adaptable and responsive to changing needs
- Able to use own initiative
- Ability to identify stress in self and others and to take effective action to manage the situation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Computer literacy
- Leadership skills
- Patient Centred approach
Desirable
- 5 years' experience at band 6 or above working within a diabetic foot multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic
- Experience of running research and audit programmes
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).
