Highly Specialized Staff Podiatrist – Podiatric Surgery

Patient care clinical duties (at all times reporting in a comprehensive and timely manner to the clinical lead, consultant podiatric surgeon or their specialist registrar). 1. To provide clinical care prior and throughout the pathway of foot surgery within a Highly Specialized multi-disciplinary team. 2. To participate in the podiatric assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of conservative podiatric interventions, which may include: a. Initiating biomechanical treatment and provision of orthoses/exercises and refer to Highly Specialized community podiatrist/MSK podiatrist as appropriate b. Administering hydrocortisone injections (subject to additional training and demonstration of knowledge and competence) c. Providing footwear advice 3. To participate in the assessment of patients prior to foot surgery including dry needling and electrosurgery procedures, this may include: a. Obtaining a full medical and social history with a particular emphasis on risk factors pertaining to foot surgery. b. Requesting diagnostic tests such as blood tests, thrombophilia screening, diagnostic imaging, and urinalysis, and acting on the results appropriately. c. Undertaking cardiovascular assessment and lower limb vascular assessment using Doppler, ABPI, and blood pressure analysis. d. Undertaking basic neurological assessment e. To liaise with other specialists (e.g. microbiology and radiology) where required. f. To issue medication under PGDs or via independent prescribing. 4. To undertake patient care during surgery, this may include: a. Administering advanced local anesthetic injections including digital, ankle, and popliteal blocks (with or without ultrasound guidance). b. Issuing antibiotic and anxiolytic (sedative) medication c. Monitoring the patient, for early signs of medical emergencies and taking appropriate action and resuscitation as necessary. d. Undertaking electrosurgical procedures e. Applying appropriate plaster casts post-operatively, and/or air cast boots. f. Assessing for post-operative discharge g. Coordinating the discharge process 5. To undertake post-operative patient care, this may include: a. Monitoring post-operative process b. Wound management c. Cast, suture, and wire removal d. Advice regarding physical therapy techniques, scar and swelling management, and overall rehabilitation. e. Monitoring for signs of post-operative complications including infection, deep vein thrombosis, fracture, complex regional pain syndrome, and coordinating onward referral to acute services. f. Affecting the eventual discharge of the patient from the service with the appropriate follow-on advice and realistic expectations. 6. The application of physical skills, precision hand-eye coordination which involves highly skilled local anesthetic techniques including ultrasound guidance, surgical assistance, and suture removal, often for prolonged periods requiring intense concentration.