Arno Primary Care Alliance and North Coast Alliance would like to engage the services of a self-employed Podiatrist.
Podiatrists within our PCN are healthcare professionals who treat and manage a caseload of patients of all ages with lower limb conditions and foot pathologies using their expert knowledge of podiatry for specific conditions and topics.
The post-holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN, as well as part of a wider podiatrists’ network and multi-disciplinary team.
Further guidance to support this role can be found at Annex B (section B9) of the Network Contract Agreement DES Specification PCN Requirements and Entitlements 2026/27.
Generic responsibilities
All staff at this organisation have a duty to conform to the following:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
A good attitude and positive action towards Equality Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) creates an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons – it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.
Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.
Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued, and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.
Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)
The PCN is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, wellbeing and safety.
The post holder is to manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients and monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
All personnel have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for themselves, their team and others and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
All personnel are to comply with the:
· Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
· Environmental Protection Act 1990
· Environment Act 1995
· Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999
· Other statutory legislation that may be brought to the post holder’s attention
Confidentiality
The PCN and associated practices are committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times.
It is essential that, if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained, all staff must protect patient information and provide a confidential service.
Quality and Continuous Improvement (CI)
To preserve and improve the quality of PCN outputs, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work.
The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the PCN and practices to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice and to discuss, highlight and collaborate with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.
This PCN continually strives to improve work processes which deliver healthcare with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement where everyone counts, and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.
Staff should interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice. All staff are to contribute to investigations and root cause analyses whilst participating in serious incident investigations and multidisciplinary case reviews.
Induction
In addition to the induction process at this organisation when the post holder will be provided with a full induction programme, when attending any practice within the network the post holder will also be required to complete their practice induction programme.
While across the PCN we aim to standardise this process, inevitably there will be nuances particular to each practice. In any such instance, the practice management team will support you with this.
Learning and development
The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude and competences to perform their role. All staff will be required to partake in, and complete mandatory training as directed. It is an expectation for this post holder to assess their own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate.
Collaborative working
All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working and understand their own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Staff are to prioritise their own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team.
Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments, and the post holder is to work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working and to work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
Effective communication is essential, and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner. All staff should delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence. Plans and outcomes by which to measure success should be agreed.
Managing information
All staff should use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in the planning, implementation and monitoring of care and presenting and communicating information.
Data should be reviewed and processed using accurate SNOMED codes to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes.
Service delivery
Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure. The post holder must adhere to the information contained within PCN and local practice policies and regional directives, ensuring protocols are adhered to at all times.
Professional conduct
All staff are required to dress appropriately for their role. PCN staff members are to familiarise themselves and comply with local practice protocol.
Primary key responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the PCN Podiatrist delivering health services.
a. Work as part of a PCN’s multi-disciplinary team to clinically assess, treat and manage a caseload of patients of all ages with lower limb conditions and foot pathologies, using their expert knowledge of podiatry for specific conditions and topics
b. Utilise and provide guidance to patients on equipment such as surgical instruments, dressings, treatment tables and orthotics
c. Provide specialist treatment and support for high-risk patient groups such as the elderly and those with increased risk of amputation
d. Support patients using therapeutic and surgical techniques to treat foot and lower leg issues (e.g., carrying out nail and soft tissue surgery using local anaesthetic)
e. Deliver foot health education to patients
f. Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for their own practice including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training
g. Liaise with PCN multi-disciplinary teams, community and secondary care staff and named clinicians to arrange further investigations and onward referrals
h. Communicate outcomes and integrate findings into their own and wider service practice and pathway development
i. Develop, implement and evaluate a seamless podiatry support service across the PCN, working with community and secondary care where appropriate, and aimed at continuously improving
j. Ensure delivery of best practice in clinical practice, caseload management, education, research, and audit, to achieve corporate PCN and local population objectives
k. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN
l. Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events
m. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
n. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
o. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
p. Contribute to public health campaigns through advice or direct care
q. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area always
Further guidance to support this role can be found at Annex B (section B9) of the Network Contract Agreement DES Specification PCN Requirements and Entitlements 2026/27.
Wider responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the PCN Podiatrist has the following wider responsibilities:
a. Undertake continued professional development to understand the mechanics of the body to preserve, restore and develop movement for patients
b. Provide leadership and support on podiatry clinical service development across the PCN, alongside learning opportunities for the whole multidisciplinary team within primary care
c. Provide education and specialist expertise to PCN staff, raising awareness of good practice in good foot health
d. Undertake a range of administrative tasks such as ensuring stock levels are maintained and securely stored and equipment is kept in good working order
Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility
Person specification – PCN Podiatrist
Qualifications
Essential
Has a BSc in or pre-reg MSc in Podiatry under a training programme approved by the Royal College of Podiatrists
Is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council
Experience
Essential
Minimum of two years working as a Podiatrist
An appreciation of the nature of GPs and general practice
An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners
Desirable
Experience of providing podiatry services in a primary care setting
In-depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare
Clinical knowledge and skills
Essential
Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct
Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisation skills with the ability to constructively challenge the view and practices of managers and clinicians
Good clinical system IT knowledge
Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities
Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to another healthcare professional
Ability to promote best practice regarding all podiatry matters
Ability to record accurate clinical notes
Broad knowledge of clinical governance
Personal qualities
Effective time management (planning and organising)
Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/procedures and codes of conduct
Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk
Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet
Problem solving and analytical skills
Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
High level of written and oral communication skills
Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
Good interpersonal and organisational skills
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Effectively utilise resources
Clear, polite telephone manner
Other requirements/wider responsibilities
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Occupational Health clearance
Evidence of continuing professional development
Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality
Flexibility to work outside core office hours
Work Location: In person
