Podiatry Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is both a support role to the podiatrists with the aim of making clinics run as smoothly as possible and anticipating what the clinical staff require. You will also be trained to manage some basic foot problems, where you will have your own clinics in the community, or visiting patients in care homes, or their own homes.

There is also an element of administration such as patient record keeping, and organisational tasks. It will appeal to someone who likes to work with a wide range of colleagues and patients, likes a lot of variety in their work, and is happy to learn, whilst doing a practical job.

The department is keen to expand its training and has opportunities to progress the right candidate to a degree apprenticeship in conjunction with one of the national schools of podiatry/universities. This role is a strong foundation to begin a podiatry apprenticeship career pathway.

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 licence 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.

• 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 all its dimensions.
• To provide annual Diabetic and other foot appropriate foot screening assessments following the Newcastle Foot care pathway.
• To give assistance to the patients, podiatrists and wider Diabetes Centre, inpatient or vascular team, including Doctors, to allow the smooth and safe running of the department and clinical sessions.
• Working with a team of podiatry staff supporting the provision of foot and wound care at the Diabetes Centre, hospital outpatient clinics wards, community clinics and domiciliary settings.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential

• NVQ 3 or A levels or equivalent qualification / experience
• Current clean driving licence

Desirable

• College of Podiatry training certificate +/or CACHE apprenticeship or willing to work towards
• First aid training
• Health promotion certificate

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Experience and aptitude for working within healthcare or caring setting
• Working under pressure and responding to change
• Manual dexterity

Desirable

• 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

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisation skills
• Inter personal skills
• Good typing and IT skills
• Able to work independently but also as part of a team

Desirable

• Creative hobby demonstrating creative ability/ artistic flare/ comprehension of perspective
• 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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trustwide

317 Trustwide

NE1 4LP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us