Highly Specialist Podiatrist

Job Summary
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Community podiatrist to join the Halton Podiatry service to provide high quality clinical assessment and interventions to the population of Halton. We are looking for a well-motivated and dynamic clinician who possesses the appropriate level of professional knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, implement, and evaluate individual care plans for high-risk patients. You will work across the community and in acute settings, providing podiatry to patients both in community clinics and in their own homes. You will also use your specialist knowledge and skills to provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to the assessment, treatment planning , treatment and if necessary appropriate onward referral of high-risk patients.

Main Duties of the Job
The post holder will possess an appropriate level of professional knowledge and skill to assess, diagnose and implement individual care plans for high risk patients. They will hold a clinical caseload which will include patients to be considered high risk due to conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis/ Connective tissue disorders, Diabetes, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Neuropathy and lower limb deformities leading to poor foot function. They will work across community and hospital settings including patients homes to provide in depth knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans and evaluation of care of patients presenting with high risk foot complications. To provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to high risk foot care.

About Us
Flexible working will be considered for all roles. North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region. Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities. Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM). They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation. Our mission: We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other. Our vision: We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn. Our values: Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone. Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working. Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all. One team: We work well together and with our communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To work as an autonomous practitioner and lone worker, providing wound care management for patients with high-risk foot need. This includes sharp debridement, wound swabs, antibiotic requests, provision of pressure relieving devices, footwear referrals, neuro-vascular assessment, providing and evaluating a suitable dressing regime, and liaison with other health professionals.
• To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of podiatric care to patients who have high risk foot need.
• To recognise and respond appropriately when presented with acute foot conditions which may be life or limb threatening. Also to recognise the need for future / urgent referral for non-healing or deteriorating wounds e.g to vascular consultant for further investigation, diabetes specialist nurse to improve diabetes control.
• To be prepared to see patients with high-risk foot need who may present at any time as emergencies without a pre-booked appointment. To work in the multidisciplinary foot clinics where patients with varying degrees of acute lower limb problems may present in unpredictable numbers.
• To be responsible for the delivery of foot care education and advice to patients, patient groups, relatives, carers and other health care professionals.
• To be available to colleagues for second opinions and advice regarding management of high risk podiatry patients. Also be prepared to answer queries and offer advice regarding foot problems to patients and other professionals over the phone.
• To promote professionalism within the department. To act as a mentor, particularly in the field of high risk foot care, providing advice and support when necessary.
• To manufacture and fit chair side appliances eg insoles and silicone devices.
• To carry out baseline biomechanical assessments
• To provide soft casting for foot ulceration and/or vulnerable tissues
• Arrange X Rays for patients with suspected underlying bony deformities.
• To carry out advanced vascular assessments.
• To carry out nail surgery procedures
• Follow up and action any arranged investigations ensuring appropriate care and treatment is arranged.
• To have the ability to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation including the drawing up and administration of adrenalin for anaphylactic shock, if required.
• To provide supervision, advice and education to students
• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical work.
• To devise assessment tools and pathways for use within the department e.g advanced vascular assessment form, foot ulcer referral pathway.
• To follow departmental and trust policies. To assist in the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines. To follow clinical guidelines but have the discretion to make own clinical diagnosis and decisions within professional boundaries where appropriate.
• To carry out clerical duties when necessary.

Professional Development

• Participate in regular Performance development review. Maintain and develop own standards of care, identifying own training needs and using the latest research as guidance.
• Undertake training and regular updates to podiatry staff using best practice.
• Roll out evidence based practice and identify poor practice.
• To supervise and take an active part in the training of students.
• To maintain Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• To work within the HCPCs code of conduct, trust policies and procedures and adhere to the patients charter.
• Maintain and update skills and knowledge of developments in Podiatry with particular reference to high risk foot care, its management and complications through continual professional development (CPD).
• Commitment to CPD and lifelong learning is essential in the regular attendance at recognised conferences and courses and the evidence of any changes in practice as a result must be cascaded through the department.
• Attendance at the North West Clinical Effectiveness Group (Diabetes) to keep abreast of new developments and work within the surrounding trusts.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with patients and carers to take a relevant medical history and obtain diagnostic information and informed consent, by informing, explaining, persuading and motivating. Overcoming barriers to effective communication.
• Have the ability to use the decision making process to identify when patients require the intervention of other professionals by following agreed departmental referral pathways.
• Provide appropriate foot health education and advice to patients on a one to one basis and groups of patients, in partnership with external organisations and voluntary agencies.
• Liaise with other health care professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary team, sharing skills and knowledge.
• Have the ability to diffuse conflict in confrontation/ stressful situations over the telephone or face to face and to mediate between colleagues if necessary.
• Liaise closely with admin and clerical staff in a clear and concise manner.
• Manage difficult conversations e.g patients pre/ post amputation or recently bereaved.
• Employ good listening and supervisory skills when mentoring of junior staff.
• Understand and account for learning styles when undertaking training of other clinicians.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.