Podologist

Role overview

Clinical responsibilities

• Assess and treat patients attending the Diabetes Center or consulting other center members.
• See patients by appointment, normally after receiving a written referral.
• Accept telephone appointments only when sufficient problem details have been communicated and this is clinically appropriate.
• Control and prioritize appointments for the service according to each patient’s needs.
• See clinic patients and, when necessary, inpatients on hospital wards.
• Refer patients with vascular problems to a vascular surgeon and do not accept them for podology care.
• Assess patients with acute ulcers together with the responsible physician.
• Keep patients with acute ulcers under the responsibility of the referring physician during treatment.

Quality and education

• Implement policies and procedures that support hospital goals, standards of care, and quality or performance improvement.
• Participate in patient and family education to improve understanding, participation, and informed care decisions.
• Perform other duties within the scope of professional knowledge and skills as directed by the Head of the Diabetes Center.

Care settings

• The role is based in the Diabetes Center clinic and may include care for inpatients on hospital wards when necessary.
• Patients are normally seen by appointment rather than through emergency consultations.

Requirements

• Professional knowledge and skills appropriate to podology or chiropody practice.
• Ability to assess and treat patients attending a diabetes center and related consultations.
• Ability to recognize vascular problems and refer affected patients to a vascular surgeon.
• Ability to assess acute ulcers collaboratively with a physician while maintaining the referring physician’s responsibility for the patient.