Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated podiatrist with a 'can do' attitude to work with the Gateshead Podiatry Team.
The successful applicant will work within Gateshead, providing podiatric care to patients in a variety of settings including community clinics, care homes and on a domiciliary basis. A full clean driving license is essential, and must have access to your own vehicle.
This Band 5 post may also encompass aspects such as lone working, diabetes foot care, wound care, nail surgery, chairside biomechanics and orthoses manufacture. Applicants will need to be competent autonomous practitioners to meet the current caseload demands.
Please see the job description for the definitive qualifications, knowledge and skills required for this post.
Anyone applying for a position which involves a regulated activity will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and that the disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children or working with adults or both.
Main duties of the job
To provide routine podiatry care to a diverse range of patients within Gateshead Community.
To assess and review patients appropriately and develop and adjust care packages relevant to patient's needs.
To provide diabetic care including the identification of diabetic risk factors, undertaking annual diabetic risk classification and the categorisation of patients into the appropriate risk banding.
To manage patients presenting with chronic disease (e.g. rheumatological conditions), auto immune conditions (E.g. HIV, AIDS), to manage patients presenting with high risk infectious diseases (e.g. MRSA, Hepatitis).
To potentially manage patients presenting with vascular problems and wound management / tissue viability issues who present in lower risk clinics.
To undertake nail surgery assessments and treatment as appropriate.
To manufacture and provide simple insoles, orthoses and chairside appliances.
To be responsible for the assessment of all patients with subsequent production of individual care packages and provision of the appropriate footcare education advice.
To maintain Registration with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) and to work within the HCPC Code of Conduct, Clinical governance policies and procedures and adhere to the Patient's Charter.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
As a group we employ around 4,200 staff and currently provide 600 hospital beds across Gateshead. Our primary focus is on providing excellent general health services to our local community complemented by key specialist areas including Gynaecology, maternity, palliative care and old age psychiatry.
Alongside a full range of local hospital services, we provide breast screening services for Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and parts of Durham - and we are the North Eastern hub for the National Bowel Cancer and AAA Screening Programmes, covering a population of around seven million people.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post will be based in the podiatry service with a nominal base at Bensham Hospital within Gateshead. The team consists of a team lead, podiatrists of varying bands and podiatry assistants.
Whilst this post is part of a larger multi-professional team care will be provided in a range of primary and secondary care settings, some of which may involve working single-handed and may be in isolation, after risk stratification.
Examples of environments are:
- Health Centre / Community Clinics
- GP Practice Clinics
- Patients Homes
- Hospital Clinics
- In Patient Care
- Care Homes for the Elderly within Gateshead
- Homes for those with Mental Health issues / Learning Difficulties
- To be the responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of Podiatric care to a wide variety and sometimes at risk patients with a wide range of clinical needs, and delegate to other members of the team as appropriate.
- To assess a caseload, creating care plans which ensure a holistic approach, engaging with the wider team to provide clinically effective care, using evidence-based practice and recognised referral pathways to achieve positive patient outcomes
- Work as an autonomous practitioner, clinically, professionally and practically.
- To assist in student placements, acting as a Clinical Educator where appropriate.
- To ensure all professional standards and codes of conduct are adhered to.
- Continually develop own clinical expertise, knowledge and clinical skills to enhance effective care and support.
- Identifies risk and develops mitigation to minimize risk, and reports appropriately.
Provides and receives complex, sensitive information.
To communicate complex information with patients, colleagues, administrative staff, clinical clerks, district nurses, practice nurses, GPs, GP receptionists, Newcastle Diabetes Centre, Social Services, Appliance Technician, secondary care specialists, Orthotists, Consultants.
To be at all times aware of the needs of the patient where difficult subjects/decisions need to be discussed requiring empathic reassurance skills, need to evidence the ability to be persuasive but sensitive to the needs of the patient and situation.
To provide foot health advice in a simple, systematic presentation to maximize patient understanding and concordance.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers so as to obtain medical history, to provide an understanding of the condition and treatment options, and to obtain consent.
To liaise effectively with Consultants, GPs and other health care professionals to manage patients requiring the intervention of other professional and specialists, and to work with them to provide care in a multi-disciplinary way.
To maintain confidentiality of all information relating to staff and patients gained through their role
To demonstrate effective communication with colleagues.
Recognising and responding to issues, providing information, feedback and professional advice as required.
Works in situations where there may be barriers to understanding.
To demonstrate highly developed skills of reasoning and persuasion when communicating with patients, relatives and carers where there may be barriers to understanding. It requires considerable negotiation, persuasive skills and empathy to manage patients and their families, e.g. elderly and confused, hearing impaired, learning difficulties, mental health problems, where there is fear or pain and for people who have English as their second language and require an interpreter.
Experience of working in the NHS would be desirable, but full training and mentorship will be provided to new graduates / those new to the NHS.
Experience of using EMIS electronic patient record system would be beneficial.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post will be based in the podiatry service with a nominal base at Bensham Hospital within Gateshead. The team consists of a team lead, podiatrists of varying bands and podiatry assistants.
Whilst this post is part of a larger multi-professional team care will be provided in a range of primary and secondary care settings, some of which may involve working single-handed and may be in isolation, after risk stratification.
Examples of environments are:
- Health Centre / Community Clinics
- GP Practice Clinics
- Patients Homes
- Hospital Clinics
- In Patient Care
- Care Homes for the Elderly within Gateshead
- Homes for those with Mental Health issues / Learning Difficulties
- To be the responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of Podiatric care to a wide variety and sometimes at risk patients with a wide range of clinical needs, and delegate to other members of the team as appropriate.
- To assess a caseload, creating care plans which ensure a holistic approach, engaging with the wider team to provide clinically effective care, using evidence-based practice and recognised referral pathways to achieve positive patient outcomes
- Work as an autonomous practitioner, clinically, professionally and practically.
- To assist in student placements, acting as a Clinical Educator where appropriate.
- To ensure all professional standards and codes of conduct are adhered to.
- Continually develop own clinical expertise, knowledge and clinical skills to enhance effective care and support.
- Identifies risk and develops mitigation to minimize risk, and reports appropriately.
Provides and receives complex, sensitive information.
To communicate complex information with patients, colleagues, administrative staff, clinical clerks, district nurses, practice nurses, GPs, GP receptionists, Newcastle Diabetes Centre, Social Services, Appliance Technician, secondary care specialists, Orthotists, Consultants.
To be at all times aware of the needs of the patient where difficult subjects/decisions need to be discussed requiring empathic reassurance skills, need to evidence the ability to be persuasive but sensitive to the needs of the patient and situation.
To provide foot health advice in a simple, systematic presentation to maximize patient understanding and concordance.
To communicate effectively with patients and carers so as to obtain medical history, to provide an understanding of the condition and treatment options, and to obtain consent.
To liaise effectively with Consultants, GPs and other health care professionals to manage patients requiring the intervention of other professional and specialists, and to work with them to provide care in a multi-disciplinary way.
To maintain confidentiality of all information relating to staff and patients gained through their role
To demonstrate effective communication with colleagues.
Recognising and responding to issues, providing information, feedback and professional advice as required.
Works in situations where there may be barriers to understanding.
To demonstrate highly developed skills of reasoning and persuasion when communicating with patients, relatives and carers where there may be barriers to understanding. It requires considerable negotiation, persuasive skills and empathy to manage patients and their families, e.g. elderly and confused, hearing impaired, learning difficulties, mental health problems, where there is fear or pain and for people who have English as their second language and require an interpreter.
Experience of working in the NHS would be desirable, but full training and mentorship will be provided to new graduates / those new to the NHS.
Experience of using EMIS electronic patient record system would be beneficial.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Skills
Essential
- BSc Podiatry
- Evidence of ongoing CPD and professional development (or newly qualified)
- Recent relevant experience of working with a wide range of patients inc high risk
- Experience of Dom Work
- HCPC registered
Desirable
- Use of EMIS record system
- NHS / Community NHS experience
- IT skills / qualification
- MDT experience
Car driver
Essential
Person Specification
Qualifications / Skills
Essential
- BSc Podiatry
- Evidence of ongoing CPD and professional development (or newly qualified)
- Recent relevant experience of working with a wide range of patients inc high risk
- Experience of Dom Work
- HCPC registered
Desirable
- Use of EMIS record system
- NHS / Community NHS experience
- IT skills / qualification
- MDT experience
Car driver
Essential
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
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).
