Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be responsible for the advanced assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of podiatric care to patients presenting with ulceration, gangrene, surgical wounds, often complicated by infection, exudate, larvae, malodour and other foreign materials. This includes those with a range of complex presentations.

Carry out precision interventional sharp debridement to facilitate healing of foot ulceration, requiring excellent manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination, where appropriate

To provide care in a range of settings, including secondary care (inpatients), outpatient clinics, care/residential homes and patient’s own homes as part of the departmental rota.

To use decision making processes to identify patients who require the intervention of other professionals and/or departmental specialist areas, following agreed departmental referral processes e.g. Consultant Diabetologist, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Biomechanics and Orthotics Departments, and where necessary co-ordinate interventions with other disciplines

To provide emergency access during working hours for both inpatients and outpatients and to identify those who require medical or surgical intervention or admission to hospital.

To make direct referrals to diagnostic services, using results to identify when patients require the intervention of other professionals and/or departmental specialists, following agreed referral pathways

To follow departmental clinical guidelines but have the discretion to interpret and make own clinical diagnosis and decisions within professional boundaries and using evidence-based practice.

Act in role of duty podiatrist responsible for the day to day smooth running of the clinic, including dealing with health professional enquiries, triaging referrals and arranging review as needed, sharing information between team members, signing off and acting on investigation reports

To work towards prescribing as a non medical prescriber in line with HCPC annotation, rights to prescribe and Trust policies OR, if already a prescriber, to prescribe safely in accordance with local and national formularies and within professional and Trust prescribing frameworks.

Management of caseload of complex / highly complex patients. Organise and maintain the clinical caseload as designated by the line manager.

Collect relevant patient information from a variety of sources to assist with clinical prioritisation and patient management.

To communicate all necessary information efficiently and effectively with relevant colleagues, carers and the patient.

To ensure effective communication of highly complex and changing disease process/foot health issues with patients, relatives and carers including where there may be barriers to understanding. This may include sensitive / emotive information requiring developed communication skills, such as when delivering bad news with regard to patient outcomes that are life changing

Ensure patients are provided with all the necessary information on the options for and implications of treatment, obtaining informed consent, enabling the development of a mutually agreed treatment plan

To work autonomously, and to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and across other healthcare providers, to refer on appropriately for other specialist care

Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date clinical records in line with legal and departmental requirements.

Maintain close links with the Principal Podiatrist, and other staff in the Foot Health service, communicating service needs clinical information as appropriate

Facilitate education both formally and informally to health professionals and patients on current best practice and research

Participate in team and departmental meetings, contributing ideas for the development and planning of activities.

Develop, deliver and evaluate educational materials for patients, which can be utilised by all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Participate in clinical supervision including the provision of formal training, clinical reasoning and clinical observation, and be committed to self development through the annual appraisal process.

Be involved in the design and implementation of research, audit and clinical trials in order to evaluate service delivery and identify opportunities for development.

To develop, implement and to supervise others in the implementation of departmental policies and procedures.

To act as a source of clinical expertise and advice, and as a resource for other team members, providing clinical leadership within the team.

To abide by the Royal College of Podiatry’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice and the Health and Care Professions Council requirements for podiatry registration

To maintain own continuous professional development (CPD) and incorporate new trends and developments into practice. To be an active member of in-service training programmes. To attend and contribute as appropriate at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, courses, other CPD activities and to undertake reflective practice. To maintain a dynamic personal development plan and portfolio, with evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD and self-directed learning.

Ensure that national guidelines are adhered to, up to date and maintained. Act as a resource to other health professionals providing advice and support, championing the development of best practice based on locally agreed and national guidelines

To maintain accurate, comprehensive professional case notes for all direct and indirect patient contact.

To collect data and statistics for reporting purposes.

Be jointly responsible for the specialist clinic, monitoring stock levels, taking appropriate action to ensure a continued supply, that all stock is securely stored, and that all equipment is used and maintained accordingly with guidelines.