Podiatry Apprentice

Foot Health Services have an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our innovative and supportive podiatry team. The Podiatry Apprenticeship programme is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.

Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality hands on clinical care. Podiatrists work with people of all ages and provide advice, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the foot and lower limb.

This is a developmental role over 4 years in compliance with the Podiatry (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship standard (Ref ST0493). The post holder will work towards successful completion of a BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatry and recognition by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The post holder will be an employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust The funding for the training element of this post comes from the apprenticeship levy.

The Podiatry Apprenticeship Programme combines and integrates academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers. The post holder can expect to spend the majority of their time learning on the job, with the remainder off the job. Whilst undertaking this training the post-holder will work within the service as a Podiatry Apprentice, where the job role and duties will reflect current learning and experience.

The post-holder will work in a variety of clinical/healthcare settings, enabling them to develop and maintain relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in order to fulfil the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme.

To be part of a highly motivated specialist podiatry team, working flexibly under the delegation/supervision of designated podiatrist in a variety of settings and geographical locations, and providing a high standard of Podiatric clinical care

To provide appropriate assessment, treatment, evaluation of outcomes and education to patients, relatives and carers within agreed competencies and training

To participate in minor surgery and other specialist sessions within the scope of instructions laid down by the overseeing podiatrist

To comply with organisational and service policies, procedures and guidelines

To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work using organisational information systems as directed

To contribute to organisational and service audit, surveys and trials within the organisation as appropriate

To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice, during periods of absence or in response to clinical demands

To be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated

To take part in student placement schemes offering demonstrational opportunities for both podiatry students and students from other disciplines as appropriate

To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other healthcare staff as appropriate

To ensure effective communication of sensitive and confidential information to referrers, other healthcare staff, patients, relatives and carer’s using interpersonal, negotiating skills and empathy as required

**Apprenticeship**:
To attend university and clinical placements as set out in the degree programme

To participate in tripartite reviews with the university and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.

To ensure timely achievement of assignments and assessments in accordance with the academic programme requirements

To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard, including the end point assessment

To gain experience during the period of the apprenticeship in a wide range of clinical areas including diabetes, rheumatology, biomechanics, tissue viability, nail surgery and wound management. To gain knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, develop and implement individualised treatment programmes in these areas as appropriate

To contribute to self-development through reflective learning