To work within the specialist area of Podiatric biomechanics/MSK in the management of a broad range of lower limb, gait and orthopaedic/musculoskeletal related conditions, providing high quality care.
The post holder will support strategic development, planning and operational delivery of MSK Podiatry services within the department across community and acute care settings.
The post holder will act as a specialist resource, providing expert care to patients presenting with a wide range of podiatric conditions. This includes managing individuals with complex medical needs and high-risk foot and lower limb complications, such as those associated with diabetes, HIV, neuropathy, and inflammatory arthropathies.
They will assess, prescribe, and deliver treatments, including designing and manufacturing foot orthoses of varying complexity.
As part of the specialist foot team, they will diagnose and manage patients; provide education and staff training; and support the development of clinical pathways to deliver integrated care for those with acute and complex long-term conditions.
MSK
1. To undertake evidence-based clinical assessment and diagnosis of biomechanical and musculoskeletal conditions, using advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making to formulate and implement appropriate treatment plans. To perform high-risk biomechanical assessments, including gait analysis.
2. To apply knowledge of biomechanics and its impact on tissue viability, using pressure-relieving devices in the management of complex foot conditions
3. To develop and maintain advanced-level skills, working within an extended scope of practice beyond podiatry, including (but not limited to) referral for and interpretation of X-rays and other imaging, pathology reports, and post-operative wound management.
4. Communicate effectively with patients about treatment options in a clear and understandable way, enabling them to make informed decisions about their care.
5. To review and evaluate treatments and interventions in response to patients’ needs, continually updating practices to ensure the delivery of evidence-based best-practice care.
6. To ensure careful attention to orthotic prescription, accuracy, and detail when manufacturing high quality foot orthotics varying in degrees of complexity, including those intended for patients with a history of foot ulcerations.
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
Clinical & Operational
All aspects of Core Podiatry will be expected by the clinician.
To autonomously assess and diagnose patients with a diverse range of medical and podiatric conditions, using appropriate diagnostic techniques, skills and tools underpinning all core Podiatry skills. You will be expected to ask for help if you need it.
To triage referrals from doctors, allied health professionals, consultants, and emergency departments in both community and acute settings, using agreed criteria to provide rapid access to expert clinical care.
To diagnose and treat complex podiatric disorders, both as part of podiatric management and within the context of broader long-term condition care plans.
To perform complex wound care, taking patients’ foot risk status into account, and to apply the principles of wound management using established classification systems.
To possess highly developed physical skills and precise hand–eye coordination for performing skilled debridement of acute, chronic, neuropathic, and ischaemic wounds, often over extended periods.
To be involved in the day-to-day running of biomechanics/MSK clinics and service.
To motivate administrative and clerical staff to work effectively with the team, supporting them in identifying and resolving problems to ensure the delivery of an efficient service
To work collaboratively with other team leads to develop and review guidelines and protocols for the identification and management of long-term condition foot disorders.
To work collaboratively across different sectors of the organisation to develop services that meet users’ needs by participating in forums and analysing feedback to deliver appropriate and effective care.
Be responsible for clinic ordering and stock maintenance as required by local policy.
To manage and prioritise one’s own caseload effectively.
To participate in developing guidelines, procedures, and service standards in biomechanics, working collaboratively with Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Consultants.
To ensure compliance with Trust health and safety policies (e.g., COSHH, workplace risk assessments, infection control, sharps management, and lone worker policies) and to report incidents appropriately.
To perform manual handling techniques in stock handling and equipment.
To ensure that all annual, sick, study, and other non-clinical leave is accurately recorded in accordance with service requirements.
To report all incidents, near misses and complaints in line with Trust procedures.
To report failure of equipment and contribute to improving health and safety
To work in accordance with Trust and departmental guidelines, policies, procedures, service standards, codes of practice, and protocols
To participate in audit as required.
Attend and be actively involved in staff meetings and relevant meetings as required .
To work across different locations providing care where required.
To take responsibility for allocated equipment.
To promote a professional image of yourself and of the service.
Management
To provide day-to-day leadership to junior clinical staff, supporting their professional development and ensuring effective delivery of team services.
To take responsibility for the team budget, minimizing spending on agency staff and ensuring staff adhere to local guidelines
o take the lead in interpreting corporate policy and co-creating local guidelines for the team to follow.
To lead a team of clinicians and support staff in the provision of pro-active high quality podiatric care and supporting peer reviewing of staff.
To work with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and MSK Extended Scope Practitioner in the development of the MSK/Orthotics team as a centre of excellence
Communication of complex clinical and financial information to a wide range of internal and external staff, organisations and stakeholders.
To organise and prioritise one’s workload to achieve personal and organisational objectives, applying experience, knowledge, and skills to make clinical judgements. To demonstrate highly developed time management skills to balance clinical and managerial responsibilities effectively.
To use the non-clinical time appropriately by using it for but not restricted to audits/research/projects/lead work/meetings/education and training and recording this
Work with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and MSK Extended Scope Practitioner to set work for staff around financial targets, stock management and clinical outcomes.
To ensure that your own practice, and that of all staff under your supervision, meets the required HPC standards
To ensure that all clinical staff within the team have appropriate support for their clinical practice and continuing professional development through team meetings, review, supervision, appraisal, training and development
To be responsible for the safe and competent use of equipment by staff
To be participating in the monitoring, ordering and maintaining stock levels
To take responsibility, supported by Service Manager and Clinical Lead, for effective and evidence- based workforce management
To be actively involved in the recruitment, selection and induction of clinical staff
To be responsible for checking and signing agency returns and providing appropriate clinical references to agency groups on clinical expertise and reliability.
To participate in maintenance procedures and ensure that equipment is in effective working order or that, should this be required, equipment is repaired as per Trust procedure.
To undertake clinical and managerial supervision with staff members designated to you
To deputise for the MSK extended Scope practitioner when any problems arise in the running of the service or patient care.
To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the team
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation of all client records as required by legal, Trust and HPC guidelines in a legible and literate manner.
To participate in the production of quality reports, including audit.
To comply with organisational, trust and departmental policies and procedures, and to be involved in the reviewing, updating and implementing of these policies as appropriate.
To liaise with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and Extended Scope Podiatry Practitioner in setting up new service delivery projects or pilot in line with government standards
To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and/or Extended Scope Podiatry Practitioner, which may include supporting investigations i.e. complaints/Datix/Mortalities etc
Education
To keep up to date with current knowledge in biomechanics/MSK and podiatry undertaking evidenced-based best practice.
To be Involved in student training and staff rotations of other disciplines.
To ensure CPD and competency is achieved in line with professional guidelines
To maintain mandatory training as required by the podiatry department and Trust.
To participate and undertake individual performance review.
To attend all mandatory training sessions as required by the Trust.
Effort
To perform objective assessments of the foot with moderate physical effort on a daily basis.
To demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to clients who may have complex emotional and physical conditions such as pain, anxiety and mobility problems.
T o do tasks, which require moderate to high mental effort on a daily basis, for example concentration to write letters, develop policies and presentations, use clinical analysis and reasoning skills and develop appropriate treatment programmes and educate staff, colleagues and clients throughout the day.
To respond effectively to variable work patterns and stressful situations, managing time, adjusting priorities, and making decisions using moderate mental effort on a daily basis.
May be frequently exposed to unpleasant working conditions such as bodily fluids and working with homeless people,
May be exposed to verbal and physical aggression from service users or carers and will need to be able to demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
To comply with local risk procedures when dealing with challenging behavioural needs and high risk extreme environments.
