Principal Podiatrist High risk foot and Woundcare

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Principal Podiatrist to lead the High Risk Foot and Wound Care pathway. This leadership role involves delivering expert care for complex lower limb conditions and managing multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective treatment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in podiatry and clinical leadership. This position includes service development, education, and compliance with national standards.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in advanced podiatric care, particularly in diabetic foot disease and complex lower limb conditions.
• Proven track record in clinical leadership and service development.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with complex lower limb pathology.
• Lead the Acute Foot Service and joint diabetic foot clinics.
• Provide clinical leadership and education to podiatry staff.
• Support admission avoidance through timely intervention.
• Drive service development through quality improvement initiatives.
• Manage operational aspects of the service.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Expert assessment and diagnosis

Service development

Education and training

Quality improvement

Education

Relevant podiatry degree and experience

Job description

Overview

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is seeking an experienced and dynamic Principal Podiatrist to lead the High Risk Foot and Wound Care pathway. This Band 8a role is central to the delivery of advanced podiatric care across outpatient clinics, inpatient services, and community settings. The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership within the Acute Foot Service, supporting timely and evidence-based management of complex lower limb pathology, including diabetic foot disease, vascular compromise, and non-healing wounds. The role also includes strategic input into community wound care provision, ensuring continuity of care across the pathway. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Diabetes, Vascular, Microbiology, Orthotists and Infectious Diseases, the post holder will contribute to joint clinics, virtual ward rounds, and the OPAT/COPAT service. This is a key leadership position, supporting service development, staff education, and clinical governance, while ensuring compliance with NICE NG19 and national standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with complex lower limb pathology, including diabetic foot disease, vascular compromise, and non-healing wounds.
• Lead the Acute Foot Service and contribute to joint diabetic foot clinics, virtual ward rounds, and OPAT/COPAT pathways, ensuring safe and effective management of patients receiving IV or long-term oral antibiotic therapy.
• Provide clinical leadership and education to podiatry staff and wider health professionals, supporting skill development and evidence-based practice across the MDT.
• Support admission avoidance through timely intervention and escalation, in line with NICE NG19 guidance.
• Drive service development through audit, data analysis, and quality improvement initiatives, contributing to pathway design and evaluation.
• Manage operational aspects of the service, including staff supervision, performance management, and budget oversight.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those we are here for—the patients. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to support equality, diversity, and inclusion across the trust.