This role involves working within the specialist area of podiatric biomechanics/MSK, managing a broad range of lower limb, gait and orthopaedic/musculoskeletal related conditions, and providing high‑quality care.
The post holder will support strategic development, planning and operational delivery of MSK podiatry services across community and acute care settings. The role is a specialist resource, providing expert care to patients presenting with complex medical needs and high‑risk foot and lower‑limb complications such as diabetes, HIV, neuropathy and inflammatory arthropathies.
Key clinical responsibilities include the assessment, prescription and delivery of treatments, design and manufacture of foot orthoses of varying complexity, and diagnosis and management of patients. The post holder will also provide education and staff training, and support the development of clinical pathways for integrated care of acute and complex long‑term conditions.
Specialist MSK Responsibilities
- Perform evidence‑based clinical assessment and diagnosis of biomechanical and musculoskeletal conditions, and formulate appropriate treatment plans.
- Conduct high‑risk biomechanical assessments, including gait analysis.
- Apply knowledge of biomechanics to manage complex foot conditions with pressure‑relieving devices.
- Maintain advanced skills in referral and interpretation of X‑rays, other imaging, pathology reports and post‑operative wound management.
- Communicate treatment options clearly to enable informed patient decisions.
- Review and evaluate treatments, updating practices to ensure evidence‑based care.
- Ensure orthotic prescription accuracy and detailed manufacturing of high‑quality foot orthoses, including those for patients with foot ulceration history.
Core Podiatry Responsibilities
- Autonomously assess and diagnose a diverse range of medical and podiatric conditions.
- Triage referrals from doctors, allied health professionals and emergency departments, providing rapid access to care.
- Diagnose and treat complex podiatric disorders within broader long‑term condition care plans.
- Perform complex wound care, including debridement of acute, chronic, neuropathic and ischaemic wounds.
- Run biomechanics/MSK clinics and related services daily.
- Motivate administrative and clerical staff, supporting problem resolution for service efficiency.
- Collaborate with team leads to develop and review guidelines and protocols for long‑term condition foot disorders.
- Work collaboratively across sectors to develop services that meet user needs through forums and feedback analysis.
- Be responsible for clinic ordering and stock maintenance according to local policies.
- Prioritise and manage an individual caseload effectively.
- Develop guidelines, procedures and standards in biomechanics with Foot & Ankle Orthopaedic Consultants.
- Ensure compliance with Trust health and safety policies, report incidents and contribute to health and safety improvements.
- Perform manual handling techniques for stock handling and equipment.
- Accurately record all annual, sick, study and other non‑clinical leave.
- Report incidents, near misses and complaints per Trust procedures.
- Study audit requirements and participate in audits.
- Attend staff and relevant meetings.
- Provide care across different locations as required.
- Maintain responsibility for allocated equipment.
- Promote a professional image of yourself and the service.
Management Responsibilities
- Provide day‑to‑day leadership to junior clinical staff, supporting professional development.
- Manage the team budget, minimize agency spend and ensure adherence to local guidelines.
- Interpret corporate policy and co‑create local guidelines for the team.
- Lead a team of clinicians and support staff in high‑quality podiatric care and peer review.
- Collaborate with the Service Manager, Clinical Lead and MSK Extended Scope Practitioner on team development.
- Communicate complex clinical and financial information to internal and external stakeholders.
- Organise and prioritise workload to meet objectives and balance clinical and managerial responsibilities.
- Use non‑clinical time for audit, research, projects, training and reporting.
- Set work for staff around financial targets, stock management and clinical outcomes.
- Ensure practice meets required HPC standards.
- Provide support for staff clinical practice and CPD through meetings, supervision and training.
- Ensure safe and competent use of equipment by staff.
- Monitor, order and maintain stock levels.
- Implement evidence‑based workforce management.
- Recruit, select and induct clinical staff.
- Check and sign agency returns, provide clinical references.
- Participate in maintenance procedures and secure equipment functionality.
- Provide clinical and managerial supervision.
- Deputise for the MSK Extended Scope Practitioner when needed.
- Collect and analyse data and statistics for the team.
- Maintain accurate client record documentation.
- Produce quality reports, including audits.
- Implement and update organizational, trust and departmental policies.
- Collaborate with managers for new service delivery projects or pilots aligned with government standards.
- Undertake additional duties as directed by the Service Manager, Clinical Lead or MSK Extended Scope Practitioner.
Education Responsibilities
- Keep up to date with current knowledge in biomechanics/MSK and podiatry through evidence‑based best practice.
- Engage in student training and staff rotations across disciplines.
- Achieve CPD and competency in line with professional guidelines.
- Maintain mandatory training as required by the department and Trust.
- Participate in individual performance review processes.
- Attend mandatory training sessions.
Effort and Working Conditions
- Perform objective foot assessments with moderate physical effort daily.
- Demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to clients with complex physical and emotional conditions.
- Apply moderate mental effort for tasks such as writing letters, developing policies, creating presentations and educational programmes.
- Manage variable work patterns and stressful situations, adjusting priorities and decision‑making accordingly.
- May be exposed to bodily fluids and work with homeless people.
- May encounter verbal and physical aggression; must demonstrate negotiation skills to manage conflict.
- Comply with local risk procedures when dealing with challenging behavioural needs and high‑risk environments.
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