Highly Specialist Podiatrist in Runcorn

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Community podiatrist to join the Halton Podiatry service to provide high quality clinical assessment and interventions to the population of Halton. We are looking for a well-motivated and dynamic clinician who possesses the appropriate level of professional knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, implement, and evaluate individual care plans for high-risk patients. You will work across the community and in acute settings, providing podiatry to patients both in community clinics and in their own homes. You will also use your specialist knowledge and skills to provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to the assessment, treatment planning, treatment and if necessary appropriate onward referral of high-risk patients.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will possess an appropriate level of professional knowledge and skill to assess, diagnose and implement individual care plans for high risk patients.
• They will hold a clinical caseload which will include patients to be considered high risk due to conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis/ Connective tissue disorders, Diabetes, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Neuropathy and lower limb deformities leading to poor foot function.
• They will work across community and hospital settings including patients homes to provide in depth knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans and evaluation of care of patients presenting with high risk foot complications.
• To provide advice, support and training to podiatry colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to high risk foot care.
• They will take a lead role in the Multi-disciplinary Diabetes foot clinic for Halton.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work as an autonomous practitioner and lone worker, providing wound care management for patients with high-risk foot need.
• To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of podiatric care to patients who have high risk foot need.
• To recognise and respond appropriately when presented with acute foot conditions which may be life or limb threatening.
• To be prepared to see patients with high-risk foot need who may present at any time as emergencies without a pre-booked appointment.
• To work in the multidisciplinary foot clinics where patients with varying degrees of acute lower limb problems may present in unpredictable numbers.
• To be available to colleagues for second opinions and advice regarding management of high risk podiatry patients.
• To promote professionalism within the department.
• To manufacture and fit chair side appliances eg insoles and silicone devices.
• To carry out baseline biomechanical assessments.
• To provide soft casting for foot ulceration and/or vulnerable tissues.
• To carry out advanced vascular assessments.
• To carry out nail surgery procedures.
• To provide supervision, advice and education to students.
• To maintain and update skills and knowledge of developments in Podiatry with particular reference to high risk foot care, its management and complications through continual professional development (CPD).

Professional Development

• Participate in regular Performance development review.
• Maintain and develop own standards of care, identifying own training needs and using the latest research as guidance.
• Undertake training and regular updates to podiatry staff using best practice.
• Commitment to CPD and lifelong learning is essential in the regular attendance at recognised conferences and courses.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with patients and carers to take a relevant medical history and obtain diagnostic information and informed consent.
• Provide appropriate foot health education and advice to patients on a one to one basis and groups of patients.
• Liaise with other health care professionals as part of the multi-disciplinary team, sharing skills and knowledge.