Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking an experienced Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead to manage biomechanics and MSK services at Lewisham Foot Health. The role involves advanced clinical practice, leadership, and collaborative care, with a focus on improving patient care through evidence-based practices. Successful candidates will have a passion for podiatry, strong leadership abilities, and demonstrable NHS experience.

Qualifications

• Significant NHS experience working at band 6 level or above.
• Experience in advanced biomechanical assessments and casting techniques.
• Demonstrable experience of teaching and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the biomechanics and MSK services.
• Independently carry out advanced assessments and interventions.
• Provide clinical leadership across the MSK/biomechanics pathway.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Problem-solving

Patient education

Rehabilitation advice

Education

BsC (Hons) Degree in Podiatry

Masters level or equivalent in MSK/biomechanics

Prescription only Medicines Certificate

Non-medical prescribing

Teaching or mentorship qualification

Job description

Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead

Advert Band 7 Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead

Full Time, flexible working considered

An opportunity has arisen for a senior experienced podiatrist with proven leadership skills, to join our team at Lewisham and Greenwich Trust. We are looking to recruit an Advanced Clinical Podiatrist and Musculoskeletal Lead to be responsible for the management and organisation of the biomechanics / Musculoskeletal (MSK) services In Lewisham Foot Health services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the biomechanics, musculoskeletal (MSK) and physical therapies service within Lewisham Foot Health. You will assess, diagnose and treat complex lower limb MSK conditions, providing advanced biomechanical care and specialist advice to the wider Community Podiatry Team, including input into acute and preventative wound care.

Main duties of the job

You will also act as team leader and line manager for Band 5 and 6 staff, offering support, supervision and professional guidance. In addition, you will drive service improvements in line with best practice and clinical governance and ensure resources, including the £10,000 insole budget, are managed efficiently and effectively.

The Podiatry team at LGT is friendly, supportive and motivated to deliver expert patient care across a broad range of specialties. We welcome applications from Podiatrists who are passionate about their profession, and able to communicate effectively across professional boundaries and in different care settings. Excellent leadership skills, drive and an innovative approach will be key attributes for the successful candidate.

Interview date will be 18th July 2025

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

We place a strong emphasis on the development of staff and their teams with good access to internal and external support for ongoing development.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Act as the biomechanical/MSK clinical foot specialist within the community Foot Health Service.

Support clinical triage and prioritisation of all new referrals to the musculoskeletal service.

Independently carry out advanced assessments and interventions for adult and paediatric patients with complex lower limb MSK conditions.

Apply highly specialist podiatric skills and communicate effectively with patients, carers, and colleagues.

Manage complex cases using advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and reflection to guide assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and referrals.

Recommend evidence-based interventions for routine to highly complex conditions, including onward referral to consultants or other allied health professionals when appropriate.

Use advanced clinical practice to deliver treatments such as orthotic prescription, rehabilitation planning, injection therapy, and refer for imaging or surgical opinion as needed.

Make informed decisions about when to involve other specialist services within or outside the department (e.g. physiotherapy, surgery).

Request and interpret diagnostic tests to support accurate diagnosis and prognosis for a wide range of conditions, including complex and multifactorial cases.

Prescribe, supply, and review orthotics (custom or off-the-shelf), ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.

Oversee and support staff in orthotic prescription and maintain up-to-date protocols and guidelines.

Act as lead clinician for the provision and safe use of physical therapy services, including laser and ultrasound therapy.

Serve as the services laser safety officer, ensuring staff competency, risk assessment awareness, and patient-centred care.

Keep the team informed of new developments in physical therapies, introduce new modalities, and review guidelines regularly.

Administer drugs and medicines in line with legal and professional standards, recognising contraindications and patient risk factors.

Maintain accurate, comprehensive clinical records in line with HCPC and Trust standards.

Leadership and Management

Provide clinical leadership across the MSK/biomechanics pathway, promoting best practice and clinical excellence.

Act as clinical lead for specific projects and service improvement initiatives.

Contribute to audits, service evaluations, and quality improvement activities.

Offer specialist clinical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment.

Develop and maintain care pathways for MSK treatments and advanced therapies.

Propose, develop, and implement service policies, protocols, and guidelines to ensure up-to-date, evidence-based, and safe practice.

Ensure compliance with National, Trust and professional guidelines in podiatric practice.

Identify training needs and participate in relevant training.

Ensure all equipment and instruments are maintained in good working order.

Education and Development

Act as a mentor and clinical educator for junior staff, students and other professionals.

Work with the extended scope podiatrist to develop the teams MSK assessment skills and maintain high standards of practice.

Provide expert knowledge and advice on physical therapies to the foot health team and other professionals within and outside the Trust.

Maintain own professional development and portfolio in line with HCPC and Trust requirements.

Research and Innovation

Engage in evidence-based practice and adopt new approaches where appropriate.

Contribute to audits and the implementation of best practice guidelines.

Support the development of clinical pathways in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and commissioners.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• BsC (Hons) Degree in Podiatry
• Registration with HCPC
• Masters level or equivalent in MSK/biomechanics e.g. advanced diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound, injection therapy, theory of podiatric surgery
• Prescription only Medicines Certificate
• IRMER Certificate
• Local Anaesthetic Certificate
• Relevant evidence of CPD
• Non-medical prescribing
• Teaching or mentorship qualification

Experience

• Significant NHS experience working at band 6 level or above
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking biomechanic assessments or working in a podiatric surgery setting
• Teaching/supervision/training of professional staff
• Interpreting medical investigations such as pathology tests and X-Rays.
• Experience in advanced biomechanical assessments, casting techniques & manufacture of orthoses
• Experience of injection therapy
• Previous experience of service development and or project work
• Membership of related special interest group

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of MSK/biomechanical assessment and treatment strategies.
• Familiarity with national guidelines (e.g. NICE, RCOP, HEE frameworks).
• Excellent clinical reasoning, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Confident in delivering patient education, rehab advice, and long-term condition management.
• Skilled in use of gait analysis, orthotic design/fabrication, and rehabilitation tools
• Up to date with effective Podiatric surgery practice and research &/or related fields of Orthopaedic practice.
• Up to date with effective rheumatology practice and research or related fields of practice.
• Thorough understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service provision.
• Sound knowledge of quality and audit and how to implement change.
• Understanding of scope of practice issues and legal accountability & responsibilities.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£46,148 to £52,809 a yearper annum plus HCAS