Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a small team, we pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of care and pulling down barriers to integration. The postholder will also have an opportunity to develop close working relationships and will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills and work alongside, which include Integrated diabetic foot coordinators and podiatric surgeons. The postholder will need to be a keen team member with a flexible approach, keen to develop in nail surgery, wound care,  and diabetes competencies and have effective communication skills to assist with managing change.

The successful candidate will need to  have the enthusiasm and willingness to progress in your role as an Assistant Practitioner and will be fully supported through a nominated mentor within the podiatry Team, the GWH Apprenticeship Team (and be a member of the Apprenticeship Network) and AHP Education  Team.

This will of course be demanding but the support will be high, and you will be fully supported in achieving a Level 5 degree qualification. 

For those who will be completing the apprenticeship or for those who apply with an existing Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree Course you will be supported to develop extended clinical competencies that really do help support the patient to live independently, at home and helping them to be as well as they can be.

1. Understanding and taking into account own level of accountability and responsibility when accepting delegated duties. 

2.  Provide podiatric treatments to patients (adults and children) who have been assessed by a podiatrist, including scalpel work and treatment of simple and pathological nails on patients with lifelong health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological disorders, mental illness and learning disabilities.

3.    Assist in wound care clinics including removing and applying dressings and taking observations when needed

4.    Construct simple insoles under the guidance of a podiatrist

5.    Being aware of the role of the MDT to support the provision of care and support e.g orthotists.  

6.    Provide and promote holistic patient/person-centred care and support, demonstrating duty of care and safeguarding of individuals.

7.    Follow a holistic approach to patient assessment, undertaking relevant physiological measurements using appropriate equipment in a safe and effective manner.

8.    Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, recognising individual scope of practice. 

9.    Provide appropriate information / education to patients and carers to assist with the delivery of their treatment program and to empower the patient to participate in their self-care (1-2-1 or in group sessions as appropriate).

10.  Appropriately, refer patients to members of the wider healthcare team to maximise outcomes for patients.  Refer on urgent or cases which fall outside of your scope of practice, to the Podiatry team or other healthcare professionals and communicate (in writing) with other health or social care colleagues to ensure the patient receives other services/ care required.

11.  Be able to understand the common localised and systemic health conditions that affect the foot, skin and nails of the foot and lower limb.

12.  Maintain the clinical environment and departmental equipment, report faults/ damage of equipment and carry out a risk assessment of the clinical environment.

13.  Work within the Podiatry Team, adhering to Podiatry Service and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Policies.

14.  Use effective oral, written and listening communication skills to accurately assess patients ensuring their needs are fully assessed and addressed and that they understand and participate in their care plan.

15.  Utilise appropriate communication methods, including the use of interpreting services and where necessary engaging family members, carers and other support workers as an aid to communication.

16.  Provide support in the day to day running of the service, this will include stock control and equipment maintenance.

17.  Report all incidents, near misses and complaints in line with GWH NHS FT procedures.

18.  Input computerised data for clinical and non-clinical activities in a timely manner, according to data protection requirements.

19.  To have knowledge of, and follow local policies and procedures regarding acting appropriately to protect vulnerable adults and children at risk

20.  Willing to work in other areas of the Trust or Trust-wide as and when required to do so.

21.  Responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults and to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them from potential harm or abuse

22.  Supporting audit inputting and data collection for Audit purposes e.g. National Diabetic Foot Audit

23.  Support and Maintain stock within the department and being aware of the budgetary requirements of the department

24.  To carry out training and develop skills to utilise venepuncture within the department and support patient care