Specialist Diabetes Podiatrist

Specialist Diabetes Podiatrist The closing date is 30 July 2026. We have an exciting opportunity to work as part of the developing Diabetes Intermediate Service (Tier 3) — providing a robust link between primary and secondary care. The post holder will provide evidence‑based care, education, support and advice to patients with all types of diabetes, and their families. Additionally the post holder will be an integral part of the wider multidisciplinary team, acting as a resource and providing education and support to other health care professionals involved in the management of patients with diabetes. Main duties of the job * Lead role in diabetic foot care within the Community Diabetes service as part of a multidisciplinary team. * Strengthen patient pathways between Acute, Tier 3 and Community care. * Lead and implement regular reviews of outcome measures across the service to ensure effectiveness. * Provide an exemplary standard of care including highly specialist diagnostic assessment, treatment and advice, including advanced wound management of high‑risk groups including vascular complications, to maintain patient mobility, independence and prevent disability. * Lead on local and national audits, service pilots/projects and other research activities to support the development of evidence‑based practice. * Provide clinical support to the podiatry team in the community integrated diabetes service (Tier 3). * Act as a source of expertise and undertake training of podiatry students; support colleagues to maintain and develop their clinical skills in diabetes and wound care; educate other health care professionals on foot care. About us Surrey Downs Health and Care delivers care closer to people’s own communities through our Primary Care Networks, Community Hospitals, Specialist Services and our partnership of local NHS organisations. Surrey Downs Health and Care has a track record of providing person‑centred care that goes beyond organisational boundaries to do what is best for the individual. This partnership includes: * The three GP federations GP Health Partners, Dorking Health Care and Surrey Medical Network representing practices that operate in the Surrey Downs area * Epsom and St Helier’s University Hospitals NHS Trust * Surrey County Council Historically there have been boundary lines between organisations that provide care to people in their homes, in GP surgeries and in hospitals, but we are united in our mission to provide great care to the people who need us. Surrey Downs Health and Care was formed to enable local people to receive care in the right environment. By bringing together our expertise, we can improve patient care and enable local people to access the right support, care and treatment more easily than ever before. We are working to the same values to translate into better care for our residents. Qualifications and experience reflect our commitment to high standards of care. Job responsibilities To work as an integral member of the podiatry team to deliver high quality and responsive programmes of podiatric care to patients. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team with vascular surgeons, consultant diabetologist and Orthotist, acting as a source of advice to patients, carers, General Practitioners and other health care professionals. To be responsible for a highly complex and specialised caseload involving the implementation and coordination of highly specialised treatment regimens involving holistic management of the at‑risk foot. To be highly proficient in: comprehensive neurological and vascular assessment, total contact casting, deep wound debridement, advanced pathology, wound management techniques (e.g. larva therapy). To undertake diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment (e.g. wound swabs, Doppler ultrasound). Also to request diagnostic procedures such as X‑ray and MRI scans, and act on results. To ensure best practice when exposed to challenging working conditions; maintaining infection control standards when faced with malodorous wounds, ulcerations and unhygienic environments. To provide a service at a wide variety of sites including hospital clinics and wards, patients’ homes and community clinics. Professional To work as an autonomous clinician within professional and organisational guidelines, being legally and professionally accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients. To take a lead role in departmental clinical governance initiatives (e.g., designing audit projects, collecting audit data, research and development of clinical standards within the specialist area of practice). To keep up to date with clinical and professional developments and use evidence‑based practice. To complete and maintain clinical competencies identified for the post. To maintain and update the individual Professional Portfolio and achieve statutory hours of CPD per year. To actively participate in personal development reviews (PDRs) and lifelong learning. To lead, promote and participate in clinical support (clinical supervision) while facilitating team members to utilise reflective skills as a method of ensuring quality of care for all service users. To support and represent the service in projects, programmes and training events as required. To lead on any relevant podiatric contribution to NSFs and NICE guidelines, involving proposing and developing new policies and service changes that may impact on the department and others, and representing the organisation when required. To be aware of ones own scope of practice and refer to other peers/professionals as necessary. Management To prevent professional isolation for co‑owners in the community by creating and maintaining systems for encouraging and supporting communications between podiatrists. To be responsible for the supervision of students and developing others for succession planning, and provide specialist training in area of expertise. Ensure that co‑owners learn from mistakes, near misses and complaints, fostering a learning culture. To facilitate in‑service training programmes (e.g., liaising with internal/external trainers and other professional leads). To participate in co‑owner recruitment, reviewing job descriptions, short listing and sitting on interview panels and inducting new members of co‑owners including bank staff and locums. To contribute to the department’s strategy and annual business plan and produce objectives in line with it for the team. To manage complaints efficiently, working with the complaints team to resolve complaints within identified timescales and to avoid unnecessary escalation with the support of the Head of Podiatry. Organisational To work towards achieving the objectives and goals of Surrey Downs Health and Care. To be responsible for resources in clinics (within geographical area) including repair and maintenance of specialist equipment and stock control. This includes controlled pharmacy supplies, ordering and managing stock of the base while adhering to health and safety guidelines (e.g., manual handling), infection control and local policies. Ensure equipment is properly maintained at all times and report faults/irregularities. Ensure that new or replacement equipment is not used by self or co‑owners until appropriate training has been given. To report all clinical and non‑clinical accidents or near misses promptly and, when required, co‑operating with any investigations undertaken. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate risk and other assessments are completed and documented by self/team members in a timely manner in accordance with policy. To ensure that team members learn from mistakes, near misses and complaints. Communication & Working Relationships To work with colleagues in neighbouring NHS organisations to share and develop clinical guidelines and best practice. To lead and actively participate in team and service meetings. This includes reviewing case studies, sharing best practice, and presenting developments within own specialty to colleagues. Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details Person Specification Qualifications * HCPC Registered Podiatrist (DPodM or BSc) * Local Anaesthetic Certificate * Specialist clinical experience * Involvement in training and teaching IR(ME)R Experience * NHS experience. Experience in the provision of high‑risk treatments and diabetic assessments in an acute environment * Broad spectrum of clinical experience; working independently as a team member * Able to demonstrate in‑depth clinical knowledge and practical skills * Awareness of current NHS trends and policies, including clinical governance and NSFs * Experience in clinical audit Skills * Effective communication * Effective organisational skills * Health promotion and basic biomechanics * Positive attitude to change * Highly organised and able to prioritise workload * Excellent presentation skills * Evidence of clinical leadership 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. Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust Salary: £51,657 to £58,785 per year pro rata per annum incl Fringe HCAS J-18808-Ljbffr