Ealing MSK Specialist Podiatrist and Team lead

An exciting opportunity for a Band 7 qualified Clinician to deliver Specialist Podiatry care for MSK in the community setting of the borough of Ealing for 22.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide specialist Podiatric biomechanics/MSK care for a broad range of lower-limb, gait and orthopaedic/musculoskeletal conditions, delivering high-quality care.
• Lead the strategic development, planning and operational delivery of all Podiatry MSK services, including “high-risk” MSK service across community and acute sites.
• Manufacture and modify foot orthotics and advise patients on bespoke and over-the-counter insoles.
• Accept emergency referrals from GPs, community/acute podiatrists and other health professionals and deliver responsive specialist care.
• Educate clinical and care staff and patients, support patient education programmes and competency frameworks (e.g. Type 1 and 2 education, band 4-5-6 training, apprenticeships, students).
• Line-manage and supervise junior staff, deliver supervision, sickness meetings, and deputise for the service manager on a rotational basis.
• Support a home-visit caseload and conduct patient group education for MSK/biomechanics.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Undertake clinical assessment and diagnosis of biomechanical/musculoskeletal cases, formulate and carry out treatments, including high-risk biomechanical assessment, gait analysis and orthotic provision.
• Apply knowledge of biomechanics in wound care, using pressure-relieving devices for complex diabetes foot problems (e.g. air cast walkers, slipper cast, surgical footwear, total contact casting).
• Provide leaflets, digital or physical, and educate patients on exercises and other therapies individually or in a group setting.
• Develop and influence operational/strategic planning of the podiatry MSK service, lead local implementation relevant to service delivery in conjunction with the Service Manager.
• Use clinical reasoning and decision-making skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Maintain skills to practice at an advanced level, using an extended scope beyond standard podiatry, including referral for and interpretation of imaging, pathology reports and post-operative wound management.
• Communicate effectively with patients regarding treatment options, enabling shared decision-making.
• Educate and empower patients regarding their care.
• Review and evaluate treatments and interventions.
• Prescribe a wide range of foot orthotics based on clinical indications.
• Make appropriate referrals to other disciplines.
• Act as a source of expertise in biomechanics lower-limb problems for podiatrists and other health care professionals.
• Order appropriate biomechanics stock and custom-made insoles.
• Coping with unpredictable work patterns in community care clinics.

Person specification:

Education and Qualifications:

• BSc (Hons) Degree in Podiatry
• Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Diabetes Foot module or equivalent
• HCPC Registered Podiatrist
• Certificate in local anaesthesia
• Masters in Diabetes or Clinical Biomechanics or other relevant postgraduate training
• IRMER Course
• Wound Care Course

Experience:

• Experience in the NHS working with the ‘high risk foot’
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Experience of line-management (leading supervision and appraisal)
• Involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate student training
• CPD training in leadership and management

Skills and knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of the effect of diabetes in podiatric care
• Knowledge of current evidence-based/best practices
• Extensive skills in assessment, diagnoses and treatment of complex high-risk foot conditions
• Sound knowledge and experience in using biomechanics as a treatment modality in wound care
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills in pressure off-loading, ulcer treatment and prevention in the high-risk foot
• Knowledge of appropriate investigations required in the treatment of the high-risk foot
• Co-ordinate care where required
• Ability to undertake nail surgery assessments, procedures and post-operative care
• Effective organisational skills

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications or experience. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success. We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working in our healthcare settings.

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. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points-based system. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13-week probationary period. If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges:

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.