Surrey NHS Chiropodist Podiatrist United Kingdom

As a podiatrist you'll enhance people's independence and quality of life through helping them improve their mobility. You'll provide preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the feet, ankles and lower legs. This can include infections, defects and injuries, as well as foot and nail conditions related to other major health disorders such as diabetes. You will be based in a hospital working alongside GP surgery’s  or within private practice and will work with a team of people including nurses, physiotherapists and doctors. Responsibilities You'll work with a variety of patients and may provide non-prescription medication for minor conditions. For more serious conditions, you may access and supply: prescription medications orthotics (splints and braces) cryotherapy electrosurgery ultrasonics specialised dressings exercise therapies. As a podiatrist, you'll need to: assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate abnormalities and diseases related to the foot and lower limb in people of all ages provide treatment for high-risk patient groups such as the elderly and those with increased risk of amputation give advice and make referrals to other healthcare and social services professionals as appropriate use therapeutic and surgical techniques to treat foot and lower leg issues (e.g. carrying out nail and soft tissue surgery using local anaesthetic) prescribe, produce and fit orthotics and other aids and appliances deliver foot health education understand the mechanics of the body in order to preserve, restore and develop movement work with people in sports to address sports-related injuries to legs and feet use a range of equipment including surgical instruments, dressings, treatment tables, orthotic (inner sole) materials, lasers, grinders, shaping equipment, x-ray and video gait-analysis equipment (which allows for analysis of patients' walking or running problems) undertake a range of administrative tasks such as ensuring stock levels are maintained and securely stored, and that equipment is kept in good working order. Skills You'll need to have: an understanding and knowledge of science, particularly biology, anatomy and chemistry excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing, including the ability to explain medical terminology and treatment in easy to understand language practical skills, including manual dexterity, to carry out treatment the ability to work independently and as part of a team with other healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses listening skills and a calm and understanding manner for dealing with patients' concerns the ability to deal sensitively with patients who are anxious the confidence to use your initiative problem-solving and reasoning skills with the ability to use your own judgement excellent time management and organisational skills to be able to cope with a busy and varied workload an innovative, flexible and motivated approach to work good IT skills You'll also usually need a full driving licence for travel between appointments. This job title and description is an outline of the principal areas of responsibility and may be subject to periodic change. These duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be called upon to adapt to and undertake different or new appropriate duties as may be required in line with professional and service developments, within the grading level of the post and the competence of the post holder. Prior to any variations to your job description consultation will take place in line with the Trust’s policies and procedures