First Contact Podiatrist

NHS Jobs; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs is seeking a Clinical Practice professional to assess, diagnose, triage, and manage a complex caseload within a PCN. You will utilise a full clinical scope, including prescribing and injections, while collaborating with the MDT to improve pathways and patient outcomes.

You will lead on governance, audit, and training, and provide feedback to colleagues to support ongoing professional development and high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Strong clinical problem solving and analytical skills, including recognising when to refer for diagnostics or to other services.
• Ability to critically reflect on professional development needs and motivation to progress clinically (with support).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cohesively within a wider team.
• Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional, and organisational policies and codes of conduct.
• Competent with IT systems, databases, and modern digital ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, handling a complex caseload.
• Utilise independent prescribing, injection therapy, and investigations when trained.
• Support self-management to optimise activity and reduce pharmacological interventions.
• Support MDT collaboration to integrate pathways and evaluate service effectiveness.
• Facilitate access to care and streamline pathways for timely treatment.
• Lead and contribute to service delivery with governance, audit, supervision, and training.
• Provide feedback to PCN clinical team on referral criteria and ongoing development.

Skills

Ability to work under pressure

Clinical problem solving

Reflective practice

Communication skills

IT systems proficiency

Policy compliance

Job description

Clinical Practice

Assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for a complex caseload. Progress and request investigations when trained to do so (e.g., Xrays, blood tests) and make referrals to support diagnosis and treatment planning. Develop and utilise your full scope of clinical practice, including skills relating to independent prescribing, injection therapy, and investigations when trained. Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring to social prescribing where appropriate. Deliver programmes of supported self management that facilitate behavioural change, optimise physical activity, mobility, independence, and minimise reliance on pharmacological interventions. Provide care tailored to individual needs, including appraising the impact of clinical status on general health, wellbeing, and employment. Support patients to set their own goals and build confidence in self management.

Evidence, Research, and Development

Develop relationships and collaborative working across the PCN, supporting pathway integration in primary care. Work as part of an MDT in a patient facing role, using expert knowledge of lower limb issues to strengthen links with wider foot and ankle services through clinical leadership, teaching, and evaluation. Support research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the FCP service. Streamline pathways by providing a responsive service that ensures timely access to care.

Leadership

Lead, manage, and contribute to service delivery. Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance, including audit, evaluation, supervision, and training. Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with patients and carers, supporting personalised care.

Facilitating Learning

Provide feedback and support to other PCN clinical team members on appropriate referral criteria. Critically reflect on your own practice and continue to develop your skills.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Strong clinical problem solving and analytical skills, including recognising when to refer for diagnostics or to other services.
• Ability to critically reflect on professional development needs and motivation to progress clinically (with support).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cohesively within a wider team.
• Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional, and organisational policies and codes of conduct.
• Competent with IT systems, databases, and modern digital ways of working.