Podiatry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5 Apprenticeship)

Integrated Care System; Swindon; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Podiatry Assistant Practitioner for a 25-month apprenticeship. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop clinical competencies under expert supervision, supporting patients with complex needs while working towards a Level 5 qualification. Ideal candidates will possess a caring demeanor, effective communication skills, and the flexibility to work in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence & access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Previous experience in a caring role (e.g., nursing auxiliary).
• Basic understanding of a broad range of long-term conditions.

Responsibilities

• Provide podiatric treatments and assist in wound care clinics.
• Support patients with complex needs and maintain patient data.
• Engage with patients and families to enhance self-care.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Patient Care

Flexibility

Education

Level 3 in health related topic or equivalent

Level 4 Assistant Practitioner diploma

Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Degree or willingness to complete

Care certificate or equivalent

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Podiatry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5 Apprenticeship)

The closing date is 18 July 2025

Podiatry Assistant Practitioner (Level 5 Apprenticeship)

This post will initially be offered as a fixed term apprenticeship for 25 months and you will be offered a substantive positionsubject to successful completion of the Apprenticeship as an Assistant Practitioner(Band 4)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Practitioner to join the Acute Podiatry service. We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual, someone to join our small team and provide support to the Podiatrists.

This is a developmental post which includes Podiatry Assistant Practitioner degree course attendance and clinical skills training, and thus pay will rise from band 3 to 4 upon successful completion of the course/clinical skills in which a comprehensive competency framework and support will be provided.

It is essential you are a car owner/driver and can fulfill the travel requirements of the post.

If this post interests you, we'd really like to hear from you.

For those who are interested in this post and don't have the Level 3 Course then exemption may be able to apply so please get in touch with Weston College or Kim Martin to discuss if your situation could be classed as an exemption and therefore an application could be submitted to the College for this.

Main duties of the job

This is a new role into the Podiatry Team and we are really excited to be able to offer this post for an individual who either has an existing Assistant Practitioner Level 5 Degree qualification or a willingness to complete alongside your role the Level 5 Foundation Degree course provided by Weston College

To provide excellent clinical care under the guidance and supervision of a senior podiatrist in the treatment of patients referred to the podiatry service, including basic and pathological nail care and callus/corn care using a scalpel (after appropriate training course and competencies completed). Provide support to various areas of the service, including MSK, nail surgery and high risk foot and ulcer clinics within Great Western Hospital

The podiatry service prides itself on an holistic approach to support our patients. You will be supporting patients with complex needs within a clinic setting and occasional home visits in patients own home.

To perform administrative duties as required within the department; dealing with patient enquiries, booking of patient appointments, stock management, clinic management.

About us

Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do. You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other. Our values make us who we are. We will expect your values and behaviors to reflect the STAR Values of the organisation:

ServiceWe will put our patients first

TeamworkWe will work together

AmbitionWe will aspire to provide the best service

RespectWe will act with integrity

Job responsibilities

As a small team, we pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of care and pulling down barriers to integration. The postholder will also have an opportunity to develop close working relationships and will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills and work alongside, which include Integrated diabetic foot coordinators and podiatric surgeons. The postholder will need to be a keen team member with a flexible approach, keen to develop in nail surgery, wound care, and diabetes competencies and have effective communication skills to assist with managing change.

The successful candidate will need to have the enthusiasm and willingness to progress in your role as an Assistant Practitioner and will be fully supported through a nominated mentor within the podiatry Team, the GWH Apprenticeship Team (and be a member of the Apprenticeship Network) and AHP Education Team.

This will of course be demanding but the support will be high, and you will be fully supported in achieving a Level 5 degree qualification.

For those who will be completing the apprenticeship or for those who apply with an existing Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree Course you will be supported to develop extended clinical competencies that really do help support the patient to live independently, at home and helping them to be as well as they can be.

1. Understanding and taking into account own level of accountability and responsibility when accepting delegated duties.

2. Provide podiatric treatments to patients (adults and children) who have been assessed by a podiatrist, including scalpel work and treatment of simple and pathological nails on patients with lifelong health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological disorders, mental illness and learning disabilities.

3. Assist in wound care clinics including removing and applying dressings and taking observations when needed

4. Construct simple insoles under the guidance of a podiatrist

5. Being aware of the role of the MDT to support the provision of care and support e.g orthotists.

6. Provide and promote holistic patient/person-centred care and support, demonstrating duty of care and safeguarding of individuals.

7. Follow a holistic approach to patient assessment, undertaking relevant physiological measurements using appropriate equipment in a safe and effective manner.

8. Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, recognising individual scope of practice.

9. Provide appropriate information / education to patients and carers to assist with the delivery of their treatment program and to empower the patient to participate in their self-care (1-2-1 or in group sessions as appropriate).

10. Appropriately, refer patients to members of the wider healthcare team to maximise outcomes for patients. Refer on urgent or cases which fall outside of your scope of practice, to the Podiatry team or other healthcare professionals and communicate (in writing) with other health or social care colleagues to ensure the patient receives other services/ care required.

11. Be able to understand the common localised and systemic health conditions that affect the foot, skin and nails of the foot and lower limb.

12. Maintain the clinical environment and departmental equipment, report faults/ damage of equipment and carry out a risk assessment of the clinical environment.

13. Work within the Podiatry Team, adhering to Podiatry Service and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Policies.

14. Use effective oral, written and listening communication skills to accurately assess patients ensuring their needs are fully assessed and addressed and that they understand and participate in their care plan.

15. Utilise appropriate communication methods, including the use of interpreting services and where necessary engaging family members, carers and other support workers as an aid to communication.

16. Provide support in the day to day running of the service, this will include stock control and equipment maintenance.

17. Report all incidents, near misses and complaints in line with GWH NHS FT procedures.

18. Input computerised data for clinical and non-clinical activities in a timely manner, according to data protection requirements.

19. To have knowledge of, and follow local policies and procedures regarding acting appropriately to protect vulnerable adults and children at risk

20. Willing to work in other areas of the Trust or Trust-wide as and when required to do so.

21. Responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults and to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them from potential harm or abuse

22. Supporting audit inputting and data collection for Audit purposes e.g. National Diabetic Foot Audit

23. Support and Maintain stock within the department and being aware of the budgetary requirements of the department

24. To carry out training and develop skills to utilise venepuncture within the department and support patient care

Person Specification

Qualifications

• English grade C/ Level 4 GCSE or level 3 functional skills or equivalent
• Maths grade C/Level 4 GCSE or level 3 functional skills or equivalent
• Full UK driving licence & access to vehicle for work purposes.
• Level 3 (ideally in health related topic) - Exemption criteria maybe relevant if you do not hold a Level 3 Course
• Care certificate or equivalent
• Level 4 Assistant Practitioner diploma or willing to complete this course with the Podiatry element.
• Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Degree or willing to complete this course with the Podiatry element

Experience

• Previous experience in a caring role e.g. nursing auxiliary or Care Assistant
• A basic understanding of a broad range of long-term conditions
• Basic knowledge of diagnostic and assessment tests of the foot
• Comprehensive knowledge of referral pathways
• Experience as a podiatry assistant or foot health practitioner

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£24,625 to £29,114 a yearBand 3 until successful completion of Level 5 Course