Podiatry Assistants

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Podiatry Assistant to start a rewarding career in the Podiatry Department. The role is 37.5 hours per week with opportunities to progress to a degree apprenticeship for the right candidate.

You will support podiatrists in clinics and community settings, assist with basic foot care, travel between premises, and help with equipment and infection control. A driving licence and willingness to travel are essential.

Responsibilities

• To provide basic foot care to patients under supervision of Podiatrists.
• To support delivery of Podiatry services across clinics and community settings.
• To assist with maintenance of clinical equipment and infection control activities.
• To travel between clinics and care home sessions, with a driving licence and willingness to use a car for work.

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who is keen to begin a career within the Newcastle Podiatry department as a Podiatry Assistant, with the possibility of progression to a degree apprenticeship for the right candidate. We are looking for applicants who are available to work 37.5 hours per week. Podiatrists treat a range of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower limbs, helping a considerable number of people each day to stay healthy, mobile, and avoid more serious foot problems. This role contributes considerably to maintaining patient wellbeing and has the potential to develop into a very rewarding career.

• Interview Date Thursday 18 November 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week, There is also an element of administration such as patient record keeping, and organisational tasks. It will appeal to someone who likes to work with a wide range of colleagues and patients, likes a lot of variety in their work, and is happy to learn, whilst doing a practical job.

The department is keen to expand its training and has opportunities to progress the right candidate to a degree apprenticeship in conjunction with one of the national schools of podiatry/universities. This role is a strong foundation to begin a podiatry apprenticeship career pathway. Podiatry Assistants are also expected to assist with the maintenance of clinical equipment and to prepare clinical areas in line with infection control guidelines. A driving licence and willingness to use a car for work is essential, as the successful applicant will be expected to travel between clinics, attend care home sessions and manage their own domiciliary caseload.

• To provide basic foot care to patients of the Newcastle Hospitals Trust Podiatry Department under the direction of the Podiatrists and to support the delivery of Podiatry services in all its dimensions.
• To provide annual Diabetic and other foot appropriate foot screening assessments following the Newcastle Foot care pathway.
• To give assistance to the patients, podiatrists and wider Diabetes Centre, inpatient or vascular team, including Doctors, to allow the smooth and safe running of the department and clinical sessions.
• Working with a team of podiatry staff supporting the provision of foot and wound care at the Diabetes Centre, hospital outpatient clinics wards, community clinics and domiciliary settings.

The successful applicant is expected to demonstrate excellent communication skills with a variety of colleagues and patients and have skills in managing noncompliance and occasional confrontation. You must have the ability to work independently but also teamwork is essential. You will be expected to work with and without direct supervision and have a keen sense of responsibility to accomplish your duties and take responsibility for your own interactions with patients and staff. The candidate must show an aptitude for working with older people, and have good IT skills as the podiatry department use several Software packages including systmone, which is an electronic patient record and booking system, and e- record The work can often involve assisting with wound care- removing dressings and redressing wounds that may be unpleasant to look at. It is a very practical role, and hence candidates must be able to demonstrate manual dexterity, for example to manage podiatric instruments and drills, and to provide care / assistance for many patients each day in busy clinics, or carrying equipment out to treat patients in their own homes.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you. With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.