Specialist Diabetes Podiatrist in Leatherhead

Overview

Main area Surrey Downs Health & Care. NHS AfC: Band 7. Contract Permanent. Hours Part time - 7.5 hours per week (Monday and Tuesday currently).

Specialist Diabetes Podiatrist in the Diabetes Intermediate Service (Tier 3) – providing a robust link between primary and secondary care. The post holder will provide evidence-based care, education, support and advice to patients with all types of diabetes, and their families. They will be part of the wider multi-disciplinary team, acting as a resource and providing education and support to other health care professionals involved in the management of patients with diabetes.

Responsibilities

• Lead role in diabetic foot care within the Community Diabetes service, working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strengthen patient pathways between Acute, Tier 3 and Community care.
• Lead and implement regular review of outcome measures across the service to ensure effectiveness.
• Provide an exemplary standard of care including highly specialist diagnostic assessment, treatment and advice, with advanced wound management for high-risk groups including vascular complications, to maintain mobility and independence and prevent disability.
• Lead on clinical local and national audits, service pilots/projects and other research to support evidence-based practice.
• Provide clinical support to the podiatry team in the community integrated diabetes service (Tier 3).
• Act as a source of expertise and undertake training of podiatry students, support colleagues to develop their clinical skills in diabetes and wound care, and educate other health care professionals on foot care.

Working for our organisation

Surrey Downs Health and Care delivers care closer to people’s communities through Primary Care Networks, Community Hospitals, Specialist Services and our partnership of local NHS organisations. Our approach focuses on person-centered care.

• The three GP federations GP Health Partners, Dorking Health Care and Surrey Medical Network representing practices in the Surrey Downs area
• Epsom and St Helier’s University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Surrey County Council

Historically there have been boundary lines between organisations; we are united to provide great care to the people who need us. The Surrey Downs Health and Care partnership aims to enable local people to access the right support, care and treatment more easily.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as an integral member of the podiatry team to deliver high quality and responsive programmes of podiatric care to patients. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with vascular surgeons, a consultant diabetologist and orthotist, acting as a source of advice to patients, carers, General Practitioners and other health care professionals. To manage a highly complex and specialised caseload involving holistic management of the at‑risk foot, including:

• Comprehensive neurological and vascular assessment, total contact casting, deep wound debridement, advanced pathology, wound management techniques (e.g., larval therapy).
• Diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment (wound swabs, Doppler ultrasound). Requesting diagnostic procedures such as X-ray and MRI; acting on results.
• Infection control standards in challenging environments; managing malodorous wounds and ulcers.
• Providing services at hospital clinics, wards, patient homes and community clinics.

Professional To work as an autonomous clinician within guidelines, being legally and professionally accountable for all aspects of your own work including patient management. Lead departmental clinical governance initiatives, design audits, collect data, and develop clinical standards within the specialist area. Maintain up-to-date knowledge and use evidence-based practice. Maintain clinical competencies and CPD, participate in PDRs and lifelong learning. Lead and participate in clinical supervision and training, support service projects and training events, and contribute to policy development and service changes. Be aware of scope of practice and refer to other professionals as necessary.

Management To support co-owners in the community by promoting communication, supervision of students, succession planning, and specialist training. Facilitate learning from mistakes, near misses and complaints, and participate in recruitment and interview processes as appropriate. Contribute to the department’s strategy and business planning and manage complaints with appropriate escalation where needed.

Organisational To work towards objectives of Surrey Downs Health and Care. Manage clinic resources, equipment maintenance, stock control and adherence to health and safety policies. Report accidents or near misses promptly and ensure risk assessments are completed.

Communication & Working Relationships To collaborate with colleagues in neighbouring NHS organisations, lead and participate in team meetings, review case studies, and share best practice.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

Person specification

Qualifications

• HCPC Registered Podiatrist (DPodM or BSc)
• Local Anaesthetic Certificate
• Specialist clinical experience
• Involvement in training and teaching IR(ME)R

Experience

• NHS experience with high-risk treatments and diabetic assessments in an acute environment
• Broad clinical experience; ability to work independently as part of a team
• In-depth clinical knowledge and practical skills
• Awareness of NHS trends and policies including clinical governance and NSFs
• Experience in clinical audit

Skills

• Effective communication
• Organisational skills
• Health promotion and biomechanics
• Positive attitude to change
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Excellent presentation skills
• Evidence of clinical leadership

Safeguarding and DBS: The post requires safeguarding responsibilities; Enhanced DBS may be required for roles with direct access to children or vulnerable adults.

Employer certification / accreditation

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to DBS disclosure requirements.