The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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.
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. 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, enjoys a lot of variety in their work, and is happy to learn while doing a practical job.
Job 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 a good basis of IT skills as the podiatry department uses 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, which often involves 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 while maintaining the highest quality of care.
Qualifications & Education
* NVQ 3 or A levels or equivalent qualification / experience.
* College of Podiatry training certificate +/or CACHE apprenticeship or willing to work towards.
* First aid training.
Knowledge & Experience
* Experience and aptitude for working within a healthcare or caring setting.
* Working under pressure and responding to change.
* Evidence of portfolio of CPD.
* Evidence of self-directed learning.
* Knowledge of Departmental, Trust and NHS policies and procedures.
* Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
* Experience of providing advice/training/education programmes.
* Experience of use of computerised systems.
* Awareness of the aging process and Human Biology.
Skills & Abilities
* Good communication and interpersonal skills.
* Good organisation skills.
* Good typing and IT skills.
* Able to work independently but also as part of a team.
* Ability to work under pressure.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognizes the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.
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