MSK Biomechanics Podiatrist

Job Overview

To work within the specialist area of Podiatric biomechanics/MSK in the management of a broad range of lower limb, gait and orthopaedic/musculoskeletal related conditions, providing high quality care.The post holder will support strategic development, planning and operational delivery of MSK Podiatry services within the department across community and acute care settings.The post holder will act as a specialist resource, providing expert care to patients presenting with a wide range of podiatric conditions, including individuals with complex medical needs and high‑risk foot and lower limb complications such as those associated with diabetes, HIV, neuropathy and inflammatory arthropathies.They will assess, prescribe and deliver treatments, including designing and manufacturing foot orthoses of varying complexity. As part of the specialist foot team, they will diagnose and manage patients, provide education and staff training, and support the development of clinical pathways to deliver integrated care for acute and complex long‑term conditions.

Key Responsibilities

MSK Responsibilities

• Undertake evidence‑based clinical assessment and diagnosis of biomechanical and musculoskeletal conditions, using advanced clinical reasoning to formulate and implement treatment plans.
• Perform high‑risk biomechanical assessments, including gait analysis.
• Apply knowledge of biomechanics and its impact on tissue viability, using pressure‑relieving devices in the management of complex foot conditions.
• Maintain advanced‑level skills beyond podiatry, including referral for and interpretation of X‑rays, pathology reports and post‑operative wound management.
• Communicate effectively with patients about treatment options, enabling informed decisions.
• Review and evaluate treatments, continually updating practices to ensure evidence‑based best practice care.
• Ensure careful attention to orthotic prescription, accuracy and detail when manufacturing high‑quality foot orthotics, including those for patients with a history of foot ulcerations.

Clinical & Operational Responsibilities

• All aspects of core podiatry expected.
• Assume autonomous assessment and diagnosis of diverse medical and podiatric conditions, using appropriate diagnostic techniques and skills.
• Triage referrals from doctors, allied health professionals, consultants and emergency departments in community and acute settings, using agreed criteria.
• Diagnose and treat complex podiatric disorders within broader long‑term condition care plans.
• Perform complex wound care, applying wound management principles and classification systems.
• Demonstrate highly developed physical skills and hand‑eye coordination for debridement of acute, chronic, neuropathic and ischaemic wounds.
• Involve in day‑to‑day running of biomechanics/MSK clinics and services.
• Motivate administrative and clerical staff, supporting problem identification and resolution for efficient service delivery.
• Collaborate with other team leads to develop and review guidelines and protocols for long‑term condition foot disorders.
• Participate in cross‑sector forums and analyse feedback to deliver effective care.
• Maintain clinic ordering, stock, and caseload prioritisation.
• Lead in the development of guidelines, procedures and service standards in biomechanics, working with Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Consultants.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies (COSHH, risk assessments, infection control, sharps management, lone worker policies) and report incidents appropriately.
• Perform manual handling techniques for stock and equipment.
• Accurately record all annual, sick, study and other non‑clinical leave.
• Report incidents, near misses and complaints per Trust procedures.
• Report equipment failures and contribute to health and safety improvements.
• Work in accordance with Trust and departmental guidelines, policies, procedures, service standards, codes of practice and protocols.
• Participate in audits as required.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and relevant meetings.
• Provide care across different locations as required.
• Take responsibility for allocated equipment and promote a professional image.

Management Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to junior clinical staff, supporting professional development.
• Take responsibility for the team budget, minimise agency spending and ensure staff adhere to local guidelines.
• Lead in interpreting corporate policy and co‑creating local guidelines.
• Lead a team of clinicians and support staff in proactive high‑quality podiatric care and peer‑reviewing.
• Collaborate with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and MSK Extended Scope Practitioner to develop MSK/Orthotics team as a centre of excellence.
• Communicate complex clinical and financial information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Organise and prioritise workload to achieve personal and organisational objectives, balancing clinical and managerial duties.
• Use non‑clinical time for audits, research, projects, meetings, education, training and record‑keeping.
• Set staff work around financial targets, stock management and clinical outcomes with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and MSK Extended Scope Practitioner.
• Ensure practice meets HPC standards and provide support for staff CPD through meetings, reviews, supervision, appraisal, training and development.
• Ensure safe and competent use of equipment by staff.
• Monitor, order and maintain stock levels.
• Conduct workforce management, including recruitment, selection and induction of clinical staff.
• Approve agency returns and provide clinical references.
• Maintain equipment operation and repair as per Trust procedure.
• Supervise staff designated to you.
• Deputise for the MSK Extended Scope Practitioner when required.
• Collect appropriate data and statistics for the team.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up‑to‑date client record documentation.
• Produce quality reports including audit.
• Comply with organisational, Trust and departmental policies and participate in reviewing and updating them.
• Liaise with Service Manager, Clinical Lead and Extended Scope Podiatry Practitioner for new service delivery projects or pilots.
• Undertake any other duties considered appropriate by leadership.

Education and Training

• Keep up to date with current knowledge in biomechanics/MSK and podiatry, undertaking evidence‑based best practice.
• Involve in student training and staff rotations of other disciplines.
• Ensure CPD and competency achieved per professional guidelines.
• Maintain mandatory training as required by the podiatry department and Trust.
• Participate and undertake individual performance review.

Effort and Working Conditions

• Perform objective assessments of the foot with moderate physical effort daily.
• Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to clients with complex emotional and physical conditions.
• Engage in tasks requiring moderate to high mental effort daily, including policy development, presentations and treatment programme design.
• Respond effectively to variable work patterns, managing time and priorities under stress.
• May be exposed to bodily fluids and working with homeless people.
• May encounter verbal and physical aggression from service users or carers and must negotiate conflict effectively.
• Comply with local risk procedures when dealing with challenging behavioural needs and extreme environments.

Person Specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree or Diploma in Podiatric Medicine.
• HCPC Podiatrist Registration.
• Certificate in local anaesthesia.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of treating biomechanical/MSK related foot conditions.
• Experience of working across primary and secondary care.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of foot orthotic manufacture.
• Demonstrate continued professional development in biomechanics/MSK.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the effect of lower limb biomechanics in orthopaedic/MSK conditions.
• Skills to carry out comprehensive biomechanical assessment and orthopaedic examination of gait, lower limb joints and muscle.
• Demonstrate clinical reasoning and decision making in the management of biomechanics/MSK conditions.
• Knowledge of current evidence‑based best practices.
• Ability to prescribe and carry out appropriate treatments such as foot orthotics, exercises and strapping.
• Understanding of advanced treatment modalities for biomechanics and appropriate referrals.
• Comprehensive understanding of foot orthotics and their manufacture.
• Skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of full range of podiatry clinical skills such as wound care, vascular and neurological assessment and nail surgery.
• Ability and experience of foot health education and promotion.
• Ability to undertake nail surgery assessments, procedures and post‑operative care.

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrate working with diverse population.

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