Location
University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£32,073 per annum

About the Role
As a Band 5 Podiatrist, you will assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients presenting with a wide range of podiatric conditions including diabetes-related foot disease, vascular and neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, dermatological and nail pathologies, wound care, chronic disease, paediatric conditions, deformities and urgent foot problems. You will use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and evidence-based practice to develop and implement individualised treatment plans. Your role will include routine and specialist podiatric interventions such as nail and skin care, wound management, biomechanical assessment, orthotic prescription, exercise programmes and minor surgery assessment and treatment where appropriate. You will administer local anaesthetic for nail surgery procedures and respond appropriately to medical emergencies including anaphylaxis. Monitoring, evaluating and modifying treatment plans to ensure optimal clinical outcomes will be key responsibilities. You will make appropriate referrals to specialist podiatry services and wider multidisciplinary teams including GPs, District Nurses, Acute Foot Clinics, Social Services and voluntary agencies. Care delivery will span diverse patient groups including children, adults, older people, vulnerable patients and housebound individuals across various settings such as community clinics, GP practices, nursing and residential homes, hospitals, day centres and patients' own homes. You will also deliver health promotion, preventative care and self-management education to patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Clinical Governance and Quality
You will maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with Trust, HCPC and professional standards. Adherence to all relevant Trust policies including Infection Prevention and Control, Health and Safety, COSHH, Safeguarding, Consent, Lone Working, Medicines Management and Risk Management procedures is essential. Participation in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities will be expected. You will contribute to the development, implementation and review of departmental policies, procedures and clinical guidelines. Reporting incidents, near misses, complaints and equipment defects in accordance with Trust policy is required. Maintaining competence in the use of specialist clinical equipment including Doppler ultrasound and vascular assessment equipment is part of the role. You will support the collection, analysis and reporting of activity, outcome and performance data.

Communication and Partnership Working
Effective communication with patients, carers and healthcare professionals is vital, adapting methods to overcome barriers where required. You will work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care. Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate safe discharge planning and continuity of care is expected. You will deliver presentations, teaching sessions and health promotion activities to patients, staff and partner organisations.

Workforce and Service Delivery
You will work autonomously within professional boundaries while seeking guidance and support from senior clinicians when required. Managing and prioritising your own clinical caseload, including high-risk and domiciliary patients, is essential. Monitoring clinic capacity and supporting effective management of waiting lists and patient flow will be part of your duties. You will undertake risk assessments relating to patients, environments and lone working activities. Working in challenging clinical and domiciliary environments whilst maintaining professional standards and personal safety is expected. Ensuring adequate stocks, equipment and clinical resources are maintained is your responsibility. Participation in specialist rotations and service developments as required will be part of your role.

Education, Training and Development
You will maintain HCPC registration and comply with Continuing Professional Development requirements. Participation in appraisal, clinical supervision, peer review and reflective practice is expected. You will support the supervision, development and assessment of students, assistant practitioners, apprentices and new staff. Contribution to departmental teaching, in-service training and practice education programmes is required. Participation in research, audit and evidence-based practice activities to support continuous service improvement is encouraged. Attendance at mandatory training, departmental meetings, study days and professional development activities to maintain professional competence is essential.

Experience
Experience in assessing and managing a wide range of podiatric conditions including diabetes-related foot disease, vascular and neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, dermatological and nail pathologies, wound care, chronic disease, paediatric conditions, deformities and urgent foot problems is desirable. Experience in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and multidisciplinary working is advantageous.

About you
You are a motivated and autonomous practitioner with strong clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. You demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and adapt communication to diverse patient groups. You are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across a variety of clinical settings. You maintain professional standards and personal safety while working in challenging environments. You are proactive in service development, education and continuous professional development.

Qualifications
You must hold current HCPC registration as a Podiatrist and comply with Continuing Professional Development requirements. Experience or willingness to participate in minor surgery and administration of local anaesthetic is required. You should be committed to ongoing professional development including appraisal, clinical supervision and reflective practice.