Specialist MSK Podiatrist in Beccles

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Podiatrist to join our dynamic Musculoskeletal (MSK) team within the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Area. Our multi-disciplinary team provides timely assessments and treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions to facilitate and improve patients' quality of life and maximise patients' independence.

Main duties of the job:

• To carry and be responsible for own caseload.
• Assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised care programmes for a caseload of patients who have complex musculoskeletal presentations including acute and chronic pain patterns; significant physical impairments due to pain or injury and psychological issues.
• Maintain own records as an autonomous practitioner, this will include provision of bespoke orthoses and exercise programmes.
• Ensure effective communication to enable patients to achieve their maximum potential for self-management particularly where this is impaired due to pain and/or fear.
• A high standard of communication skills and clinical work is required which will also include teaching and supervision of other health professionals, non-registered staff and students.
• Work with the Clinical Co-ordinator for Musculo-skeletal Services and MSK Physiotherapists to further develop, in line with evidence-based clinical best practice, ECCH's integrated MSK Service.

Job responsibilities:

• Accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients who have complex biomechanical problems, and to organise this efficiently and effectively regarding clinical priorities and use of time.
• Ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and those of other staff.
• Undertake comprehensive specialist assessment, treatment, and evaluation of outcomes of MSK patients, with a variety of presentations.
• This will include investigation and analysis of complex facts in order to formulate individual MSK treatment plans.
• The work will be carried out in the clinics and hospital setting.
• Make direct referrals to diagnostic services, to interpret results and make onward referrals to secondary care services, or to other providers.
• Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching, and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to ensure the aims of MSK services are met and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• This requires a high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
• Provide in-house training and support to the Podiatry Service to embed core biomechanical skills into wider clinical practice.
• Recognise when patient needs could be more appropriately met by a member of staff of a lower band, and to refer on as appropriate.
• Receive and provide complex, sensitive information.
• In communicating effectively with patients and carers, skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation, and gaining informed consent will be used.
• Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment, and to support other staff likewise.
• Maintain clinical records in line with Organisational Policy and Professional Standards.
• Work effectively with other members of the multi-professional team to ensure seamless communication of complex information and delivery of seamless high-quality patient care.
• Liaise with other agencies and services both within ECCH and other external agencies including health and social care organisations.
• Attend and actively contribute to departmental meetings and in-service training.
• Ensure that all information relating to clients and staff gained through employment with ECCH is kept confidential.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Diploma / Degree in Podiatry, Current HCPC registration, Completion of relevant post graduate specialist training at master’s level, Evidence of other continuing professional development, Teaching qualification.
• Experience: Worked in a variety of specialities as a qualified clinician, gaining specialised experience, Worked in the NHS or Private Sector in the UK providing a specialist Musculoskeletal biomechanics service, Provision of clinical supervision, Demonstrates clinical leadership in biomechanics within local services, Knowledge of audit processes, Previous work in an integrated Musculoskeletal service.
• Skills and Knowledge: Identify and evaluate opportunities for improvement, implement and evaluate change, Self-Directed learning, Ability to work independently, Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to other clinicians, Specialist knowledge of Musculoskeletal podiatry, Excellent written and verbal communication skills, Critical appraisal skills, Competent use of IT, Highly developed Podiatry skills, Ability to prescribe a range of orthoses and assess/evaluate footwear.
• Personal Attributes: Able to work collaboratively within a team, Committed to personal and team development, Able to maintain judgement under pressure, Confident, Responsive to patient and service needs, Willingness and ability to work across different sites.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.