Bedfordshire Community Health Services Podiatry department have an exciting opportunity for a Podiatry apprentice to join our innovative and supportive team.
Podiatry in ELFT is a growing profession and is key to our Allied Health Professions (AHP's) support in integrated patient care.
The graduate Podiatry apprenticeship programme is a new fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.
Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specializing in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs) providing high quality clinical care to people of all ages.
A Podiatrist's job is to work to protect people's feet, providing preventative advice, care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the lower limb.
The apprenticeship is a four year programme of work based learning that is directly related to the Apprenticeship standard.
The University based Honours degree study is also linked to the Apprenticeship standard.
In addition, the apprenticeship has a mandatory 40% off the job learning.
It is scheduled to commence in September '25 with interviews to take place in March '25.
Our Podiatry Service is a diverse, supportive and innovative team. Our work has been included in 3 national guides published by NHS England and NHS Benchmarking:
-Collaborative care home training project tackling pressure ulcer prevention and diabetic foot disease
-Diabetes transformation reducing amputations and bed nights in hospital
-The role of Podiatry in primary care
As an organisation we take AHP development seriously, we have a strong emerging AHP Strategy supporting clinical preceptorship and development to improve staff experience.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Eligibility:
You will be able to demonstrate how you can use your experiences in contributing to becoming a Podiatrist.
Understanding the scope of practice and role of the Podiatrist in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
You will treat people with dignity, respecting individual's diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy ans preferences.
You will show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice.
You will also be adaptable, reflective, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and show leadership.
In addition, you must be able to meet the following criteria:
Grade C or Level 5 or above in GCSE English and Maths or functional skills level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C)
Applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of recent academic achievement within the last 5 years, such that they may be deemed capable of study at degree level
Able to evidence the ability to study at a Higher Education level
Right of abode in the UK, meeting University admission
One of the following is also required:
Qualification and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic and previous care experience
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at level 3 - all distinctions including Biology or Chemistry
120 UCAS points / A Levels with Science background
Programme content:
The academic part of the training will be provided by the University of East London (UEL) where you will undertake modules as detailed below: -
Professional Practice and mental health
Anatomy and physiology
Podiatric Practice, pathology, pharmacology,
Musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment and management
Clinical reasoning and research methods.
Key areas of practice for Podiatry students:
Patients with problems related to endocrine & rheumatological function
Patients with problems related to musculoskeletal function and sporting activities
Patients with problems related to neurological function
Patients with problems related to dermatological function
Patients requiring nail surgery
Patients located in a variety of healthcare and community settings
This is a developmental role via the Podiatry (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship standard over 4 years.
You will work towards successful completion of a BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatry and recognition by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Podiatrist.
You will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of a Podiatrist through your apprenticeship within the service as well as through completion of the Podiatry Apprenticeship training programme. This includes working in clinic and community care settings, and delivery of direct person-centred care. Whilst undertaking this training you will work within the service as a Podiatry Apprentice, where your role will reflect your learning.
The clinical part of your training will be provided across the county of Bedfordshire.
This advert closes on Wednesday 5 Mar 2025