Deputy Head of Podiatry and Orthotics

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Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, (LGT), is a community-focused provider of local and acute care, delivering high-quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley. We provide whole-life care and are here to support our communities to live healthier lives as well as taking care of them when they need us the most.

Employing almost 7,500 colleagues, affectionately known as Team LGT, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham, and at over a dozen community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup.

We have recently launched our new vision and values to mark the LGT10 - the tenth anniversary of our Trust forming in 2013. Our trust vision is to be exceptional. In the quality of our patient care; our support for colleagues; and in the difference we make through our partnerships and in our communities.

To achieve this we value Respect, Compassion, and Inclusion; Being accountable over staying comfortable; Listening over always knowing best; and Succeeding together over achieving alone. You can read more about our visions and values here

Our hospitals and community sites provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as emergency and planned care. The Trust is rated as "good" or "outstanding" in over three-quarters of the services inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

Every year our work includes performing 10,000 procedures in our theatres; bringing seven and a half thousand new lives into the world; carrying out 570,000 visits to patients in their homes or communities and providing emergency care for more than 300,000 patients arriving in our busy Urgent and Emergency Departments.

LGT is a centre for the education and training of medical students enrolled with King's College London's GKT School of Medical Education. We are a training centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. We are pioneering new roles that will support the changing needs of our patients and are one of the largest employers of physician associates in the country.

We are committed to working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our local communities. This means playing an active role in the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and in formal partnerships including the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative, provider partnerships with our local mental health trusts and borough-based boards of the ICS in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

Job overview

Advert 8a Deputy Head of Podiatry and Orthotics

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 a Deputy Head of Podiatry and Orthotics to provide professional leadership, accountability and assist in provision of day-to-day operational and managerial support to the Podiatry & Orthotics Services at LGT.

Operationally the services are delivered for Podiatry to Lewisham Community and University Hospital Lewisham; Orthotics services are delivered at Queen Elizabeth and University Hospital Lewisham.

Main duties of the job

The focus of the role is to deputise for the Head of Podiatry at Divisional and Trust meetings and those relevant to Podiatry outside the Trust. This role will include line management of designated band 7 Podiatrists and surgical appliances officers, prioritisation and scheduling of staffing based on service demands and risk, complaint and incident investigation, as well as taking overall responsibility for the operational management of the orthotics services at QEH and UHL.

Working for our organisation

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 14th November 2024

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:

1. 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
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Role summary:

Managerial

a) As Deputy Head of Service using highly developed specialist knowledge and experience you will provide a range of management and operational support to the Head of Service and the Podiatry Team, whilst taking lead responsibility for the operational management of the Orthotics Services at QEH & UHL.

b) Reporting to Head of Service you will take direct responsibility for the timetabling and scheduling of Podiatry staff based on service waiting times, clinical risk and staffing capacity. This will also include prioritisation of resources and workload presented by unplanned absences at short notice.

c) Reporting to the Head of Podiatry and working closely with the clinical governance lead, you will be responsible for the upkeep of the service business continuity plans

d) Having responsibility for the Orthotics budget (£450k), and working closely with the surgical appliances officers you will ensure value for money is being achieved from the orthotics contract by the regular review and reporting of relevant KPI's

e) To assist in the resolution of any conflicts within the clinical area, resolving informal complaints locally and leading in the investigation of and response to formal complaints as required/designated.

f) To investigate accidents and incidents, identifying and implementing corrective action where necessary, in conjunction with the Head of Podiatry. Promoting, monitoring and maintaining best practice in health, safety & security

g) For the Orthotics Service you will have lead responsibility for the development, ratification and implementation of relevant service policies, procedures and guidelines.

h) For the Orthotics Service you will have lead responsibility for maintaining effective recording systems, utilising available IT systems to ensure service is as paper light as possible and work with Data Analysts and Surgical Appliances officers to manage complex facts requiring analysis and interpretation to support achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

i) To support the Head of Podiatry in the recruitment, induction and preceptorship processes, managing leavers ensuring associated processes are completed on time.

j) To provide appropriate guidance and support to staff in line with the Trust's disciplinary and sickness procedures. To support the implementation of HR policies and participate in formal procedures as requested by the Head of Podiatry.

k) Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information drawing on motivational skills to encourage collaborative working to improve services/performance where there may be resistance to change.

l) Undertake the line management of 2 surgical appliances officers and up to 3 band 7/6 Podiatrists

m) To lead on the production of designated performance reports required for monthly reporting.

n) To represent the Podiatry Service in the absence of the Head of Podiatry at appropriate Trust wide groups/meetings and to actively participate in relevant Trust wide networks of practice.

o) To be proactive in identifying areas for improvement and implement remedial action as necessary.

p) Facilitate the cascade of information ensuring awareness of Division, Trust and NHS Initiatives supporting staff discussion and responding to feedback.

Clinical

a) To be responsible and accountable for an agreed caseload and undertake the complex assessment, diagnosis and treatment of new and existing patients with a wide variety of Podiatric complaints. This includes:
• systemic diseases
• immunosuppressive disorders
• vascular and neurological disorders
• dermatological disorders
• chronic pathologies
• emergency treatments
• wound management
• minor nail surgery
• musculo-skeletal disorders
• paediatric conditions
• deformities
• nail and skin pathologies.

b) To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support the assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning process.

c) To utilise evidence based material to assess, treat, implement, evaluate and document podiatric provision.

d) To use highly developed physical skills where a high degree of precision or speed and high levels of hand, eye and sensory co-ordination are essential when undertaking scalpel work in wound and skin care, and when using sharp specialist nail nippers on pathological nails, frequently on clients at high risk of amputation.

e) To provide Podiatric care plans tailored to the patients' medical needs with regular review and the ability to identify and co-ordinate further interventions. To ensure timely and appropriate referrals to other specialists from within the department and outside (for example GP's, District Nursing, Hospital Acute Foot Clinic, Social services and voluntary organisations), facilitating safe and appropriate discharge where indicated.

f) To treat a wide variety of patient groups including those with special needs, housebound, children, elderly, adults, vulnerable groups and those from different cultural backgrounds with the possibility of communication barriers.

g) To demonstrate sound clinical expertise and knowledge in the management of serious and high risk pathologies for example: infected foot ulcers

h) To undertake specialist diabetes and high-risk sessions for the assessment and treatment of patients where duties will include:

- Undertaking Diabetic foot assessments

- To identify risk factors and to prioritise patients into risk categories

- Management of the diabetic foot

- Management of foot ulcers

- Swabbing of wounds and management of infection

- To arrange timely referral and on occasion emergency admission into hospital when indicated

i) To undertake the assessment and treatment of patients with lower limb musculo-skeletal pathologies, where duties will include:

- The prescription, fabrication and evaluation of 'chair-side' insoles/orthotics

- The prescription and evaluation of an appropriate exercise and stretching regime

- Evaluation, prescription and casting for bespoke orthoses

j) To make frequent use of technology, where available, for measurement, monitoring and treatment using specialist complex equipment such as Doppler ultrasound

Communication and Working Relationships

a) Working closely with the Head of Podiatry & Orthotic Services

b) Communicate effectively and on a regular basis with the Podiatry and Orthotic teams including clinical, administrative staff and all other service users (Patients, Carers, Medical Practitioners, Nursing staff, Allied Health Professionals, Social & Voluntary services) as well as outside contractors for orthotics, providing information to all in an appropriate manner. This may include communication with people about challenging matters in challenging situations

c) To liaise and communicate effectively with other colleagues within the Trust including employee relations and recruitment teams, purchasing, performance, finance and the Patient Advice and Liaison Team. This will involve matters relating to service delivery, staff support, performance, recruitment and financial issues.

d) To attend and contribute to the Podiatry team meetings on a regular basis. This will include supporting preparation for meetings, agenda setting and in the absence of the Head of Podiatry act as Chair.

e) To lead and co-ordinate Orthotics service team and contractor meetings. This will include setting the agenda and contracting monitoring.

f) Reporting to the Head of Podiatry, when undertaking complaint/incident investigations you will liaise with clinicians, patients and carers working closely with PALS and Complaints service.

g) There will also be a variety of complex and sensitive situations and complex information that you will be expected to manage, both at patient and staff level.

h) To inform, educate and advise other health care professionals involved in the care of the patient, utilising influencing and negotiating skills to ensure a holistic approach to effective patient management.

Financial
• To be responsible for the QEH & UHL Orthotics budget (approx. £450k)
• To achieve financial balance of the Orthotics budgets, reporting any cost pressures to the Head of Podiatry in a timely manner, so that appropriate mitigation plans can be agreed and put in place.

This Deputy Head of Podiatry Service job description is subject to change depending on service priorities

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria

• Qualification leading to licence to practice as a podiatrist in UK
• Evidence of continuous professional development including a recognised long course or Masters
• HCPC registration

Desirable criteria

• Management Training
• IRMER certificate

Experience

Essential criteria

• Broad experience 8 years post qualification, with significant experience across patient pathways ( inpatient , outpatient, community), with 4 years clinical experience in Band 7 clinical lead role
• Experience of team leadership and effecting change
• Working knowledge of current national and local health care issues.
• Experience of teaching /supervising under- and post- graduate staff.
• Experience dealing with complaints / investigating incidents
• Expe3ience managing staff and adhering to HR procedures

Desirable criteria

• Qualification in project management / leadership
• Experience of budget responsibility.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills across the organisation and with a wide range of staff with differing levels of responsibility and different professional backgrounds
• Experience of dealing with complex issues in a large organisation
• Ability to work pro-actively and co-operatively with senior management and clinical staff, including at times of stress.
• Knowledge and experience of standard setting, quality issues and clinical audit, and an understanding of clinical governance.
• Ability to undertake evaluation of the service.
• Knowledge of service activity measures and clinical outcome measures

We reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, please apply early. We do not contact applicants with the outcome of the shortlisting. If you have been shortlisted, you will receive an invite to an assessment day or interview.

As a local employer and anchor institution we work closely with our community to recruit locally and we welcome applications from the widest variety of people to ensure our workforce are reflective of the local communities which we serve. We encourage all suitable candidates to apply including if you are Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities, live with a disability (visible or not) or are LGBT+. We have a number of active staff networks including Disability, LGBT+, Multicultural Inclusion and Women's staff networks to bring staff together and celebrate diversity across our whole workforce.

Please note, not all roles will meet the criteria for a skilled worker visa.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Spec (PDF, 287.4KB)
• Working at LGT (PDF, 4.2MB)