Podiatrist

To autonomously assess and diagnose patients with a diverse range of medical and podiatric conditions, using appropriate diagnostic techniques, skills and tools. To work in collaboration with specialist teams, GPs, and other health care professionals. To work in accordance with the departments standards and professional codes of conduct. To participate and comment on proposed service improvements and transformation within the department. To participate in new patient assessment clinics, nail surgery, ulcer clinics, with opportunities to shadow specialist musculoskeletal podiatrists in biomechanics clinics and specialist diabetes podiatrists in the multidisciplinary diabetic foot service/ hospital settings as appropriate. To take a relevant patient history, examine and diagnose and, with the patients consent, develop and implement individual specialist care programmes in patients regarded as high risk with: a) a barrier to understanding and communication b) loss of sensation c) peripheral vascular disease/gangrene d) high risk diabetes and renal patients with acute/chronic ulcerative wounds providing specialist tissue viability care e) rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthropathies; this will require you to concentrate intensely to remain patient focused. f) Acute or chronic discharging/purulent /malodorous or cellulitic infections which may be limb or life threatening. To perform diabetic and high-risk assessment review clinics, where duties will include the assessment of foot pathology using appropriate equipment, Doppler evaluation and sensory/motor evaluation to identify risk factors, allowing the appropriate categorisation of high-risk patients To identify when patients require interventions from other professionals and/or departmental specialists following agreed referral pathways and adhere to eligibility criteria.To advise and request follow up patient, dependant on your professional judgement and clinical need appointments as necessary/appropriate To maintain accurate records of all patients consultations and related work carried out at each clinical session including audit and other data collection. To be actively engaged in operational tasks and issues. To supervise and monitor students on placement and lower grade clinicians. To communicate complex and highly sensitive information with patients, colleagues, administrative staff, other health care professionals. This may involve a range of verbal and non- verbal communication tools. To demonstrate highly developed skills of reasoning and persuasion when communicating with patients, relatives, carers when there are barriers to understanding. Considerable negotiation, persuasive skills and empathy and sensitivity are required. e.g discussion re lower limb amputation. Deal sensitively with patients or carers who have a high level od anxiety or aggression caused by their condition/ problems or their responsibilities. To provide specialised advice to community based colleagues and other members working within other clinical areas and primary care. To demonstrate and apply a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management. To act professionally in relation to customer care and contribute to investigations/responses to any complaints in line with Trust policy. To decide priorities for own work area balancing patient related and professional demands ensuring these remain service led. Be able to work on own initiative. To provide peer support to all health care professionals Trust-wide with regard to all aspects of podiatry care and management . To ensure that all information relating to clients and staff gained through employment within the Trust is kept confidential and to note that disclosure to any unauthorised person is a serious disciplinary To develop and maintain skills required to practice, using developed communication and teaching skills to educate patients by using motivational and counselling techniques to facilitate change. Act as an effective role model to all healthcare professionals and as an expert resource on the management of foot health. Ensure safeguarding and mental capacity issues are recognised and dealt with appropriately. To participate in audits/research to monitor and develop the service in achieving identified outcomes NSF milestones and NICE guidelines and to influence change in the event of up to date research findings . Participate in and encourage sharing of best practice and knowledge at relevant local and national meetings/networks. To have knowledge and comply with Trust Policies and Procedures . To assist with education and training programmes for patients, all allied health care professionals and nurses working Trust wide . To manage own workload and support more junior team members to prioritise workload safely and effectively . To supervise assistant / technical grades and to take part in training of students and basic grade podiatrists, acting as a mentor when appropriate and to participate in observational placement of HCPC recognised schools of podiatry students. To monitor clinical waiting times, triaging referrals if required. To actively seek new knowledge, innovations and create appropriate change in line with risk management and professional boundaries. Promote, facilitate and participate in the provision of skill acquisitions. To lead, support, educate and motivate community colleagues to deliver optimum care. Effectively adapt communication techniques according to the individual needs of the patient e.g. the patient may have a learning disability, mental health problems, a confessional state, neurological condition or may not speak English as their first language. Respond to telephone calls to the service, providing information, advice, reassurance and support to callers. To have working knowledge of IT skills working towards improvement of skills for the improvement of the service. To input data and information accurately and completely using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems. To ensure the necessary precautions are adhered to when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection. To work with colleagues in the development of Trust policies and guidelines. Ensure developments are supported in practice, through the development and dissemination of policies, protocols and clinical guidelines. Through networking and the use of influencing skills ensure the profile of the podiatry service is raised. To work within health and safety requirements and local guidelines . Undertake physical assessment of patients in clinic or the home setting, involving specific patient movement and handling, in order to accurately undertake assessment. To be manually dextrous and co-ordinated enough to use a sharp scalpel technique in debriding skin lesions/ulceration involving tendon, bone or joint and in close proximity to blood vessels. Periods of concentration are required when assessing, examining and communicating with patients in order to develop and provide treatment plans in clinical and patient home settings. Maintain competency and knowledge and utilise risk management to maintain safe practice. To report adverse incidents in line with Trust policy. The post holder will be required to travel across all areas of the Trust and will at all times work alone, independently and as part of a team.