JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Department(s): Job Holder Reference: Podiatrist Podiatry PCS874 No of Job Holders: 1 2. JOB PURPOSE To provide professional podiatric care in a variety of settings either directly or indirectly supervised practitioner while remaining part of a wider team. Providing a high level of care both palliative and corrective treatments as part of an agreed care plan whilst liaising or referring to other Health Care Professionals or Agencies as appropriate. To plan and organise own workload to ensure effective caseload management of a diverse range of at risk patients. 3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Organisation Chart Attached 4. SCOPE AND RANGE To treat and manage the care of podiatric patients, utilising the full range of Podiatric skills and knowledge and evidence based practice to achieve satisfactory outcomes for service users based on their individual needs. To provide treatment to patients to maintain mobility, independence, viability and to relieve discomfort. To work as part of extended Podiatry and extended multi-disciplinary team to ensure continuity of seamless care for service users. To work as an autonomous practitioner managing at risk caseload with support and guidance from Band 6 Podiatrist. 5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work. Maintaining and managing all patients responsible for within that area including those on any waiting list. To utilise a full range of Podiatric skills and knowledge and evidence based practice to ensure care aims are easily identified and actioned. Performing intricate clinical interventions as appropriate to improve or eradicate foot disorders. Assessing treating and diagnosing patients and following care pathways for those with complex
medical/podiatric need Undertake nail surgery assessment; Undertake nail surgery procedures as appropriate and aftercare if necessary. Identify suitable patients for referral to Podiatry Assistants Supervision of Podiatry Assistants where Appropriate To be responsible for the maintenance, security and effective efficient stock control. Manufacture and fit both chair-side and laboratory made devices/orthoses. To continually assess patient needs, of review patients, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of evidence based care. Communication To work effectively as a member of a multi disciplinary team and liaise with other professionals and agencies involved in the delivery of care. To communicate effectively with a wide variety of patients and carers to ensure understanding of their condition, utilising skills such as motivation, persuasion, explanation and gaining informed consent. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of factors which impact on the physical, mental or emotional health for patients, colleagues and on a personal basis, give consideration to lifestyle, gender and cultural background of patients carers and family members. To maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical documentation and comply with administrative procedures including data collection. Professional Participate in Podiatry Service Clinical Governance initiatives and developments. and development/audits. Organisational To work as part of a Podiatry locality team and to be responsible for day to day planning of own caseload. Educational / Development To participate in Appraisal and CPD, accepting ownership of professional development and performance review, being aware of the latest developments and procedures within the Podiatry Service, the Organisation and the profession. 6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT To ensure all equipment, furnishings and accommodation are adequately maintained in good order and properly used eg. Nail dust extraction drill, Benchtop steriliser in accordance with HDL2010. Reporting all defects to the Lead Clinician. To be aware of Health and Safety issues and actively promote good working position and Risk Assessment skills to identify actual and potential risks and action appropriate management. To have a good knowledge of the software packages used by the service: MS office, word, excel, outlook, Epex community patient administration system. 7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS The assessment at risk patients for Podiatry treatment and taking the appropriate action by referral to highly specialist Podiatrist, as required, prior to providing treatment, if required. Ability to work autonomously, managing own at risk caseload.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Communicates face-to-face, by telephone, email and in working on a daily basis with: Podiatry Staff Network with appropriate Podiatry colleagues and others, in undertaking development work to ensure delivery of clinically effective care. Multi-disciplinary Team within the Speciality Pass on patient assessment findings, patient progress with treatment and suggest other professional input requirements. Other Agencies Liaise with other agencies e.g. Residential Care and Nursing Homes to optimise patient care and ensure efficient service delivery. Patients and Carers Provide and receive information regarding assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment to encourage compliance. As patients have a wide range of medical problems, this requires the Podiatrist to utilise developed motivation and persuasion skills to facilitate effective treatment. Patients will predominantly have complex medical problems and require highly developed interpersonal skills. Provide and receive information regarding complex and sensitive issues 9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Moving and Handling Domiciliary cases and trolleys to transport to/from car Lifting leg rests Lifting of stock and instrument boxes Bending to aid patient with removal of hosiery Moving patients from wheelchair to podiatry chair Kneeling on floor to treat patients in their own homes Occasionally sustaining weight of patient s foot and leg on Podiatrist s knee during domiciliary or in-patient visits. Being physically compromised when treating patients who are bed bound Frequency: could be daily or weekly/domiciliary at least one day per week. Mental Effort All aspects of practical Podiatry require concentration due to the instrumentation required to carry out the procedure from simple nail care to the removal of a nail under local anaesthetic. Finite repetitive movements and dexterity are required in all practical interventions. Duration : can be a minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of one hour per patient dependent on foot pathologies. Normal clinical caseload can be 16 patients per day in a clinic Interruptions by medical staff, phone, receptionist and patients. Frequency: daily/weekly. Emotional Effect Employing motivational techniques to encourage patients to take responsibility for prevention of foot complications. Dealing with patient s verbal complaints. Frequency : daily/weekly.
Working Conditions Dirty smelly, un-kept feet, urine soaked hosiery. Infected smelly lesions/ulcers. Unclean houses. Risks associated with decanting and administration of Phenol. Noisy lab conditions and fumes from glue associated with manufacture of insoles. Use of grinder machines in lab. Threat of physical abuse from patients. Frequency : daily/weekly 10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB To work autonomously prioritising own caseload, identify and manage any risk to quality. Working as part of a Podiatry locality team delivering care to the at risk patient Involves communicating with people in a manner that is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating. 11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB See attached Person Specification
PERSON SPECIFICATION COMPETENCY ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE 1. QUALIFICATIONS Diploma/Degree in Podiatry HPC Registered Local Anaesthetic Certificate Evidence of CPD 2. EXPERIENCE Previous experience of working in NHS especially managing a caseload of patients. However in circumstances where an applicant has less than 1 years experience a mentorship will be considered. 3. SKILLS Ability to participate in Nail Surgery. Ability to carry out diabetic assessment reviews. Ability to prescribe/manufacture chair side appliances. Holder of UK driving licence. 4. PERSONAL QUALITIES AND DISPOSITION Team Worker. Ability to manage own caseload. Good inter-personal skills. Good communication skills. Good organisational skills. Ability to handle difficult or emotional situations. 5. RESEARCH AND TRAINING Ability to demonstrate interest in Post-graduate education/training. 6. OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Grade and salary: Hours of work: Annual leave: Public Holidays: Superannuation: Band 5: 21,388-27,901 per annum pro rata Permanent 17 hours per week 27 days per annum pro rata Details of other types of leave entitlement (such as sick leave) are set out in the Agenda for Change handbooks. 8 days per annum pro rata on dates designated by NHS Borders Details of other types of leave entitlement (such as sick leave) are set out in the Agenda for Change handbook. The post-holder is entitled to join the NHS superannuation pension scheme. If Unsuccessful: If you have NOT heard from us within 4 WEEKS of the closing date, then we regret that your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we appreciate your interest in working with NHS Borders and your time and effort in completing the application form. We would welcome your application for future posts. Equal Opportunities: In NHS Borders, we believe that all staff should be treated equally in employment. We will not discriminate against any member of staff, or job applicant, on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. Trade Union membership. Disclosure checks: We carry out criminal record checks on new staff who fall within certain staff groups within NHS Borders, through Disclosure Scotland. We send out Disclosure Forms to all shortlisted candidates for these staff groups, and ask for these to be completed and returned at interview. If a successful-at-interview candidate forgets to bring their completed form to interview, then they will be required to return the form (and proofs of identity) within 7 days, otherwise the provisional job offer will be withdrawn. Unsuccessful candidates forms will be shredded. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to this post. Tobacco policy: We have a Tobacco policy in place. When selecting staff, we do not discriminate against applicants who smoke, but staff must observe our policy on smoking. Hpatitis B: We offer Hepatitis B immunisation through our Occupational Health Service (OHS). If you think you may be at risk of contracting Hepatitis B through your job, you should ask for this immunisation at OHS. If your work involves exposure-prone procedures, you must keep to the document Protecting Health Care Workers and Patients from Hepatitis B, and the NHSiS Management Executive Directive on this issue. You must be immune to Hepatitis B, and if you cannot prove that you are immune, OHS will investigate to find out whether you are Hepatitis B positive or not. Health and Safety at Work: You must take look after the health and safety of yourself and anyone else who may be affected by what you do at work. You must also co-operate with us to make sure that we keep to legal and organisational safety regulations. You can get more information from the NHS Borders Health & Safety Adviser. The closing date for completed application forms is: 5pm on Wednesday 23 October 2013
Primary and Community Service Board (P&CS) Podiatry Services Organisational Chart Lead AHP Professional Lead Podiatry Service 1.0 wte A&C Support 0.5 wte A&C Reception 0.5 wte Biomechanic s/ Musculoskeletal Care Lead 0.6 wte Biomechanic s/ Musculoskeletal Care Lead 0.4 wte Learning Disabilities/ Vulnerable Patients Care Lead 0.4 wte Diabetes Care Lead 1.0 wte Rheumatology/ IJD Care Lead 0.4 wte Podopaediatric s Care Lead 0.4 wte Berwickshire Podiatry Team 3.6 wte Community Specialist Podiatrists 0.6 wte Podiatry Assistants Eildon Podiatry Team 3.30 wte Community Specialist Podiatrists 0.8 wte Podiatry Assistant Teviot/Tweeddale Podiatry Team 4.2 wte Community Specialist Podiatrists 0.4 wte Band 5