Podiatry assistant

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who is keen to start a career within the Newcastle NHS Podiatry department.

Podiatrists treat a range of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower limbs, helping a considerable number of people each day to stay healthy, mobile, and avoid more serious foot problems. This support role contributes considerably to maintaining patient wellbeing and has potential to  develop into a very rewarding career.

This role will initially train and support you to become a podiatry assistant where you will be part of the podiatry team, managing a range of basic foot conditions. The department is keen to expand its training and  has opportunities to progress the right candidate in the future to a degree apprenticeship in conjunction with one of the national schools of podiatry/ universities.

We are looking for an applicant who wants to work full time. The post is largely based in community clinics across Newcastle, but there will also be aspects of the role working within the hospitals to support some in- patient and out- patient services, care home settings, and home visits.

• Interview date: 30 October 2024
• 37 hours 30 minutes/week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

Main duties of the job

The role will include some sessions where you will be supporting Podiatrists in their specialist clinics such as nail surgery or Diabetes wound care clinics. Then once your own competencies are achieved you will treat your own caseload of patients who have been assessed by the podiatrist as needing  basic foot care for a wide range of conditions, many of whom have Diabetes related foot problems.

This role is a combination of clinical, clinical support and an element of administration such as patient record keeping. It will appeal to someone who likes to work with a wide range of colleagues and patients, likes a lot of variety in their work, and is happy to learn, whilst doing a practical job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful applicant is expected to demonstrate excellent communication skills with a range  of colleagues and patients, and have the ability to manage noncompliance and confrontation.

We are looking for a candidate with a willingness to learn as you will be required to complete a level 3 or level 4 qualification initially to become a  Podiatry assistant.   Once training is complete , the Podiatry assistant  must have  the ability to work independently but also as part of a team, with and without direct supervision, and have a keen sense of responsibility in order to accomplish a range of  duties.

The successful candidate must have good basis of IT skills as the podiatry department use several Software packages including systmone, which is an electronic patient record and booking system.

The candidate must show an aptitude for working with older people and often can  involve assisting with wound care; removing dressings and redressing wounds that may be unpleasant to look at.

It is a very practical role, and hence candidates must be able to demonstrate manual dexterity, for example to manage podiatric instruments and drills, and to provide safe care  and assistance to many patients each day in busy clinics.

Podiatry assistants are also expected to assist with the maintenance of clinical equipment and to prepare clinical areas in line with infection control guidelines

A driving license and willingness to use a car for work is essential, as the successful applicant will be expected to travel between clinics, attend care home sessions and manage their own domiciliary caseload.

The role is to provide basic foot care to patients of the Newcastle Hospitals Trust Podiatry Department under the direction of the Podiatrists and to support the delivery of Podiatry services in busy clinical situations, whilst maintaining  the highest quality of care

The post includes  providing  annual Diabetic  foot screening in line with departmental  standard Operating Procedures  and local and national guidance, and to assist the patients, podiatrists and wider foot health teams  across various settings  such as the Diabetes Centre, inpatient or vascular team, including Doctors, to allow the smooth and safe running of the department and clinical sessions. Provides advice regarding health education/promotion.

To be responsible for maintaining a clean, risk – free clinic environment and ensuring that  adequate stock and resources are  available at all times, and that  all equipment used in the performance of clinical duties is of a safe, clean and suitable standard.

Job Purpose

• To provide basic foot care to patients of the Newcastle Hospitals Trust Podiatry Department under the direction of the Podiatrists and to support the delivery of Podiatry services in all its dimensions.
• To provide annual Diabetic and other foot appropriate foot screening assessments following the Newcastle Foot care pathway.
• To give assistance to the patients, podiatrists and wider Diabetes Centre, inpatient or vascular team, including Doctors, to allow the smooth and safe running of the department and clinical sessions.
• Working with a team of podiatry staff supporting the provision of foot and wound care at the Diabetes Centre, hospital outpatient clinics wards, community clinics and domiciliary settings.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.