Job summary
Foot Health Services have an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our innovative and supportive podiatry team. The Podiatry Apprenticeship programme is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.
Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality hands on clinical care. Podiatrists work with people of all ages and provide advice, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the foot and lower limb.
While working towards your degree you will be based within our friendly and supportive team, and will be patient facing from the very start - so that you can apply and develop your new knowledge and skills with increasing confidence. We offer the opportunity to work within every speciality within the profession, so your days within the clinical placement will be diverse and you can explore areas that interest you the most.
The post may be based in Norwich or Kings Lynn, dependant on application location. Appointment to this post is subject to both organisational employment protocols and acceptance onto the UEL Podiatry Apprentice program.
Main duties of the job
This is a developmental role over 4 years in compliance with the Podiatry (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship standard (Ref ST0493). The post holder will work towards successful completion of a BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatry and recognition by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The post holder will be an employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust The funding for the training element of this post comes from the apprenticeship levy.
The Podiatry Apprenticeship Programme combines and integrates academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers. The post holder can expect to spend the majority of their time learning on the job, with the remainder off the job. Whilst undertaking this training the post-holder will work within the service as a Podiatry Apprentice, where the job role and duties will reflect current learning and experience.
The post-holder will work in a variety of clinical/healthcare settings, enabling them to develop and maintain relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in order to fulfil the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme.
About us
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded on 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To be part of a highly motivated specialist podiatry team, working flexibly under the delegation/supervision of designated podiatrist in a variety of settings and geographical locations, and providing a high standard of Podiatric clinical care
- To provide appropriate assessment, treatment, evaluation of outcomes and education to patients, relatives and carers within agreed competencies and training
- To participate in minor surgery and other specialist sessions within the scope of instructions laid down by the overseeing podiatrist
- To comply with organisational and service policies, procedures and guidelines
- To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work using organisational information systems as directed
- To contribute to organisational and service audit, surveys and trials within the organisation as appropriate
- To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice, during periods of absence or in response to clinical demands
- To be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated
- To take part in student placement schemes offering demonstrational opportunities for both podiatry students and students from other disciplines as appropriate
- To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other healthcare staff as appropriate
- To ensure effective communication of sensitive and confidential information to referrers, other healthcare staff, patients, relatives and carers using interpersonal, negotiating skills and empathy as required
Apprenticeship:
- To attend university and clinical placements as set out in the degree programme
- To participate in tripartite reviews with the university and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
- To ensure timely achievement of assignments and assessments in accordance with the academic programme requirements
- To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard, including the end point assessment
- 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. To gain knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes in these areas as appropriate
- To contribute to self-development through reflective learning
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To be part of a highly motivated specialist podiatry team, working flexibly under the delegation/supervision of designated podiatrist in a variety of settings and geographical locations, and providing a high standard of Podiatric clinical care
- To provide appropriate assessment, treatment, evaluation of outcomes and education to patients, relatives and carers within agreed competencies and training
- To participate in minor surgery and other specialist sessions within the scope of instructions laid down by the overseeing podiatrist
- To comply with organisational and service policies, procedures and guidelines
- To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work using organisational information systems as directed
- To contribute to organisational and service audit, surveys and trials within the organisation as appropriate
- To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice, during periods of absence or in response to clinical demands
- To be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated
- To take part in student placement schemes offering demonstrational opportunities for both podiatry students and students from other disciplines as appropriate
- To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other healthcare staff as appropriate
- To ensure effective communication of sensitive and confidential information to referrers, other healthcare staff, patients, relatives and carers using interpersonal, negotiating skills and empathy as required
Apprenticeship:
- To attend university and clinical placements as set out in the degree programme
- To participate in tripartite reviews with the university and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
- To ensure timely achievement of assignments and assessments in accordance with the academic programme requirements
- To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard, including the end point assessment
- 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. To gain knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes in these areas as appropriate
- To contribute to self-development through reflective learning
Person Specification
Apprentice Degree Entry/Qualifications
Essential
- 18+
- lived in UK / EEA for the past 3 consecutive years
- GCSE English at Grade 4 / C or above
- GCSE Maths at Grade 4/ C or above
- Full UK driving licence
- 120 UCAS points, including Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits overall (including 45 level 3 credits at Distinction which must include Biology and Chemistry) OR 3 A levels (at or predicted BBB) which must include Biology or Chemistry OR a biochemistry / human sciences foundation degree
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting
- Experience within a podiatry / foot care setting
- Understanding of NHS healthcare delivery
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Able to convey tasks and actions to colleagues and service users
- Ability to assist patients to achieve safe working environments for treatments to be carried out
- Ability to perform treatments in a variety of settings such as clinics, residential homes, Page 9 of 11 patients own homes and nursing care sites
- Fine motor dexterity which will become more advanced throughout the apprenticeship to enable use of fine instruments in podiatry treatment
- Sufficient keyboard skills for data input and letter writing and ability to use MS office or similar internet and email
- Ability to use patient information systems to input data and clinical treatment
- Ability to plan, organise and coordinate work under own initiative, be flexible and prioritise competing demands for attention to provide best care available to patients in case which may involve changing plans where necessary
- Ability to drive, access to own transport, current driving license, transporting equipment required for patient care and education sessions in and out of a car
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills in written and verbal English Language
- Confident, articulate and able to tailor and judge communication according to situation
Personal Attributes / Behaviours
Essential
- Compassionate, caring and empathetic. Considerate of an individual's needs
- Polite, courteous and friendly
- Team player
- Curious. Questions appropriately
- Positive 'can do' attitude
- Able to problem solve and be mentally agile
- High standards of professional ethics and behaviours
Other
Essential
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Podiatrist and Podiatry Assistant / Technician in context of the team
- Ability to develop & maintain positive working relationships with professionals and nonprofessional colleagues & clients
- Ability to hear distressing news from patients when discussing treatment plans and during consultations when patients share their life experiences
- Ability to empathise and sympathise with a diverse range of people remaining professional at all times
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to reflect and evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Ability to develop skills needed to provide direct patient care, with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (ulcer debridement, tissue breakdown and body fluids, dusts and adhesives)
- The post holder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post through occupational health with any reasonable aids and adaptations if necessary
Desirable
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Podiatrist and Podiatry Assistant / Technician in context of the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
Person Specification
Apprentice Degree Entry/Qualifications
Essential
- 18+
- lived in UK / EEA for the past 3 consecutive years
- GCSE English at Grade 4 / C or above
- GCSE Maths at Grade 4/ C or above
- Full UK driving licence
- 120 UCAS points, including Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits overall (including 45 level 3 credits at Distinction which must include Biology and Chemistry) OR 3 A levels (at or predicted BBB) which must include Biology or Chemistry OR a biochemistry / human sciences foundation degree
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting
- Experience within a podiatry / foot care setting
- Understanding of NHS healthcare delivery
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
- Able to convey tasks and actions to colleagues and service users
- Ability to assist patients to achieve safe working environments for treatments to be carried out
- Ability to perform treatments in a variety of settings such as clinics, residential homes, Page 9 of 11 patients own homes and nursing care sites
- Fine motor dexterity which will become more advanced throughout the apprenticeship to enable use of fine instruments in podiatry treatment
- Sufficient keyboard skills for data input and letter writing and ability to use MS office or similar internet and email
- Ability to use patient information systems to input data and clinical treatment
- Ability to plan, organise and coordinate work under own initiative, be flexible and prioritise competing demands for attention to provide best care available to patients in case which may involve changing plans where necessary
- Ability to drive, access to own transport, current driving license, transporting equipment required for patient care and education sessions in and out of a car
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills in written and verbal English Language
- Confident, articulate and able to tailor and judge communication according to situation
Personal Attributes / Behaviours
Essential
- Compassionate, caring and empathetic. Considerate of an individual's needs
- Polite, courteous and friendly
- Team player
- Curious. Questions appropriately
- Positive 'can do' attitude
- Able to problem solve and be mentally agile
- High standards of professional ethics and behaviours
Other
Essential
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Podiatrist and Podiatry Assistant / Technician in context of the team
- Ability to develop & maintain positive working relationships with professionals and nonprofessional colleagues & clients
- Ability to hear distressing news from patients when discussing treatment plans and during consultations when patients share their life experiences
- Ability to empathise and sympathise with a diverse range of people remaining professional at all times
- Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to reflect and evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Ability to develop skills needed to provide direct patient care, with frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (ulcer debridement, tissue breakdown and body fluids, dusts and adhesives)
- The post holder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post through occupational health with any reasonable aids and adaptations if necessary
Desirable
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the Podiatrist and Podiatry Assistant / Technician in context of the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
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.
