Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Nail Surgery Lead Podiatrist
The closing date is 01 January 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a podiatrist to join our team to provide leadership for the specialist nail surgery service for podiatry patients across Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to work at Band 6 to provide clinical leadership for all staff, ensuring standards of clinical expertise and excellence in podiatric nail surgery are continually maintained and improved.
Main duties of the job
* Provide professional clinical leadership for all staff, ensuring standards of clinical expertise and excellence in podiatric nail surgery are continually maintained and improved.
* Manage a caseload of patients and provide a comprehensive range of specialist podiatric interventions, including nail surgery, wound care and other therapeutic interventions.
* Serve as a mentor for students on placement from Plymouth University and assist the student placement coordinator.
* Provide education to empower patients, carers and other health professionals in the management of foot conditions.
* Coordinate with Primary and Secondary Care professionals to ensure seamless delivery of care to nail surgery patients.
* Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate podiatric care for a variety of patients, including high‑risk diabetics, those with vascular problems, chronic disease and wound management needs.
* Refer for appropriate diagnostic tests and input in accordance with IRMER guidelines.
* Provide podiatry services across a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, health centres, clinics and domiciliary settings.
Job responsibilities
* Ensure effective communication with patients, relatives and carers concerning assessment outcomes, treatment options and prognosis, especially where learning difficulties, illness or high anxiety may be barriers.
* Delegate effectively and provide care plans for support staff such as clinical support workers, assistant practitioners and students.
* Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and hold the necessary degree/diploma in podiatry, as well as a local anaesthetic administration certificate.
* Follow departmental policies, procedures and guidelines while exercising professional judgement within appropriate boundaries.
* Attend all mandatory training sessions as required by the Trust.
* Keep accurate clinical records of all patient consultations and related work carried out at each clinical session in line with professional standards and Trust policy.
* Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered Podiatrist with the Health and Care Professions Council
* Certificate in administration of local anaesthetic
* Mentorship qualification
Desirable
* Prescribing qualification (either independent or supplementary)
* IRMER Certificate
Knowledge
Essential
* Proven relevant postgraduate experience in the NHS
* Specialist knowledge and experience in nail surgery
* Experience of protocol and guideline development and implementation
* Knowledge of developing, auditing, monitoring and evaluating protocols/guidelines and procedures
Desirable
* Knowledge of departmental and Trust policies, procedures and guidelines
* Involvement in root cause analysis and investigations relating to clinical matters
* Evidence of supporting research activity
Skills
Essential
* Ability to clearly understand own scope of practice
* Ability to work in a team
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
* Ability to provide day‑to‑day supervision and delegation to clinical support workers and assistant practitioners
* Ability to produce training packages on nail surgery for departmental staff and other health care professionals
Desirable
* Presentation skills
* Understanding of research skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Castle Circus Health Centre
Abbey Road
Paignton
TQ2 5YH
Employer's website
https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk
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