Overview
The post holder will be expected to actively contribute as part of the multidisciplinary team including vascular and orthopaedic clinics. The post holder is also an educator to patients and their carers, other health care professionals including medical, surgical, podiatric, nursing, physiotherapy and social services and other staff when appropriate.
Responsibilities
* Take a lead on clinical care by independently managing a patient caseload with support from the multidisciplinary team and Diabetic Foot Practitioner.
* Ensure that where appropriate each patient has a comprehensive wound assessment undertaken and a referral is made to the appropriate specialty.
* Support the MDT by facilitating the booking of investigations and interpretation of results.
* Act as an expert in the use of specific treatments and advanced wound techniques including sharp debridement of wounds, VAC therapy and larvae therapy.
* Provide advice on the most appropriate pressure-relieving devices for specific conditions, including liaison with the orthotics department for footwear provision.
* Provide advice to the MDT on the most appropriate IV antibiotic therapy protocols for diabetic foot infections.
* Carry out measurements of transcutaneous oxygen tension pre- and post-angioplasty and post-bypass surgery.
* Coordinate and participate in diabetic foot ward rounds and present patients and their test results.
* In conjunction with the Diabetic Foot Specialist Nurse, organise weekly early intervention vascular diabetic foot outpatient clinics and present patients and their vascular test results (Fridays).
* Run early discharge clinics for complex patients to reduce length of stay for inpatients.
* Support joint podiatry-orthotic clinics to ensure patients receive footwear in a timely manner.
* Review and triage acute inpatient referrals from wards including A&E and SDEC.
* Liaise with Ward Clerks to maintain correct stock levels of specialist dressings.
* Identify areas of poor practice and respond appropriately to ensure safe and effective care.
* Work closely with PCTs, Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist and podiatry services to ensure continuity of care post discharge.
* Develop and participate in local ward-based and trust-wide education programmes for the MDT on general diabetic foot care and management.
* Educate and advise patients and their significant others on all aspects of diabetic foot care.
* Contribute to teaching on postgraduate courses and to annual study days for relevant staff and students.
* Maintain a comprehensive database on all diabetic foot in-patient activities and participate in evaluation and reporting for MDT meetings and grand rounds.
* Participate in pertinent research projects regarding diabetic foot in-patients and promote evidence-based practice and clinical audit within the Trust.
* Lead on audit/benchmarking within the own specialist area and utilise information systems to aid audit and provide regular activity analysis reports.
Leadership and Education
* Support the Diabetic Foot Practitioner to carry out evaluation of database content, statistical analysis and preparation of annual reports for management.
* Develop and participate in ward-based and trust-wide education programmes for the MDT on diabetic foot care and management.
* Contribute to postgraduate teaching and annual study days for staff and students.
Research and Service Development
* Promote and facilitate evidence-based practice and clinical audit; raise the profile of allied health professionals in patient care and inform service development plans.
* Participate in appropriate Trust-approved research projects and promote diabetes research and evidence-based practice relevant to the speciality.
* Lead on audit/benchmarking within the specialist area and maintain information systems to aid audit with regular activity analyses.
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All staff have responsibility for safeguarding and understand the duties relevant to their role. The closing date is given as a guide; on occasion we may close a vacancy early due to high numbers of applications. Applicants are advised to submit their application early to avoid disappointment.
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