Band 6 Podiatrist

at  Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

To work as part of an integrated organisation, treating patients in clinic and the home setting.
To assess new patients and also reviewing care for patients on the case load. Patients will have varying degrees of frailty and care needs.
Be part of a team involved in audit and keen to help with the ongoing development of the service.
To be involved in education of patients and medical and non medical colleagues.
Your enthusiasm and commitment will be a vital asset upon which to build on, and develop your skills.
To work as an integral member of the high risk and foot protection teams delivering quality planned programmes of podiatry care to patients with an assessed need. To be able to evaluate the impact of care and adapt the plan to optimise outcomes.
To organise, develop and implement individual/ interdisciplinary, care plans, for patients on the case load. To be able to communicate care to patients and colleagues.
To help maintain mobility, independence, and tissue viability and to reduce discomfort.
Patients will be “at risk” or ‘high risk’ or with active foot ulcers or in remission, from a background of varying pathologies and diagnosis; eg People with Diabetes, PVD, Peripheral Neuropathy, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other complex lower limb pathology, and a varying levels of frailty.
To keep up to date with clinical and professional developments.
To maintain clear accurate notes reflecting the care need and plan.
To provide treatment at a variety of sites, which include patients home, clinics, hospital and elsewhere. Sometimes working in isolation.
To be interested and participate in service review and audit.
To ensure all clients receive the appropriate quality of care and advice at all times whilst observing the policies and procedures of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, the Royal College of Podiatry and the HCPC.
The Podiatry team works across the whole of the Croydon District. The service is integrated with many other services, and joint working is a key aspect of the delivery of care.
The team is lead by three team leaders and a professional lead. There are regular staff meetings, in addition the high risk team has focused team meetings that allow space for reflection, governance, development and review of articles and patient care.
The high risk team undertakes audit and has just enrolled onto a randomised controlled trial.

Clinical and Professional
1 Apply effective assessment and diagnostic criteria to formulate agreed treatment plans. To
implement and evaluate care delivery to a variety of patients with a wide range of clinical needs including Low to high risk diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Those with circulatory problems, chronic deformity and diseases (chronic neuropathies, rheumatoid arthritis, other long term conditions). People with acquired or congenital disabilities and those present with challenging behaviours including people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
Patients with chronic hyperkeratotic lesions and nail pathologies, footwear challenges and tissue viability challenges including foot wounds.
2 To work as an interdependent and independent clinician, able to carry out comprehensive
assessments to improve lower limb and foot health. To effectively liaise with patients and
carers about care plans and intended outcomes.
To obtain co operation from the patient for the development of treatment plans.
To actively engage with the wider health care teams.
3 To take part in nail surgery rotations. To assess new patients prior to surgery, explaining
the procedure and associated risks whilst also reassuring anxious patients. Completing
paperwork, consent forms and informing the GP of the treatment as necessary.
4 To work in single and multi chaired clinics, taking responsibility for the treatment of a
designated caseload of patients. Working within the Croydon Health Services Trust and
Professional Codes of Practice and Guidelines. To work with colleagues in an
interdependent way to support optimum working where possible.
Work to Royal College of Podiatry & HCPC standards.
5 To actively promote foot health education to patients, carers, and other health care
Professionals.
Training and Supervisory
To participate in Team and departmental meetings, and audits as necessary.
To participate in training sessions to peers and other health care professionals.
Managerial
To prioritise own workload and caseload, to prepare for meetings and review possible improvements in the work place
To maintain accurate and up to date data as directed by the manager, and national guidelines.
To help problem solve work challenges with line manager
Research and Development
To participate in and contribute to departmental surveys and audits as appropriate to the post holder’s job.
Service Development
To contribute to identifying opportunities to improve the service, in order to provide the best possible patient care within available resources by using and developing one’s management knowledge and skills, and where possible that of others.
2 To contribute to the clinical governance agenda and ongoing service development as requested.
Health and Safety
To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others in the working environment. To follow safe working practices and to comply with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedure.
To be responsible for making a risk assessment of the workplace and of clinical risks in each situation. To report any accidents or incident involving patients or staff to the manager and complete forms in accordance with Trust policy.
Role Specific Responsibilities
To help deliver holistic care that is sustainable.
The post holder is involved in departmental procedures and represents the service when delegated to do so.
Others
To be aware of and follow the team / service / Trust’s operational and professional guidelines, policies and procedures
To maintain the principles of equal opportunities with regard to the religious and cultural needs of patients, their families, carers and involved staff.
To be aware of “Vulnerable Adults” and respond in accordance with Trust policy if any such client is identified.
To undertake any other duties as may be delegated from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and experience of the post holder.
NB This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent developments of the post and its responsibilities; any changes to the job description will be made in consultation with the post holder.