Podiatry Apprentice Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust

What you will do in your working day

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• 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

The training you will be getting

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.

This post can be locate in Norwich (Norwich Community Hospital) or Kings Lynn (St James Clinic). 

This apprenticeship will be hosted by Universaty of East London (UEL). You will attend UEL one day a week for teaching. 

Placements will be block (5 days) over a number of weeks:

• Level 4 - one 4 week placement
• Level 5 - two 5 week placements
• Level 6 - two 6 week placements

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.

The academic part of the training will be provided by the University of London (UEL) where the following modules will be undertaken:

• Professional practice and mental health
• Anatomy and physiology
• Podiatric practice, pathology, pharmacology
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment and management
• Clinical reasoning and research methods

Key areas of practice-based learning for Podiatry students include:

• Problems related to endocrine and rheumatological function
• Problems related to MSK function and sporting activities
• Problems related to neurological function
• Problems related to dermatological function
• Problems that require nail surgery

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

To successfully complete the BSc (Hons) degree in podiatry and registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).