Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our friendly and committed team at NELFT. The Diabetes Foot Protection Service will work in collaboration with Plymouth University to support one person through the Podiatry Apprenticeship course. The programme is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist. The degree apprenticeship duration is 2 - 4 years dependent on entry level. On successful completion of the Podiatry degree individuals will progress to a band 5 role. 

Podiatrists are registered Allied Healthcare Professionals, specialising in the lower limb. Podiatrists provide high quality clinical care to people of all ages. Their role is to protect people's feet, with opportunities to work in a range of environments and specialities. Podiatry is a rewarding and varied profession. It is suited to individuals who wish to develop practical and intellectual skills to improve patient outcomes, and who are passionate about wanting to make a real difference in the care that they provide.

The newly formed Diabetes Foot Protection Service, provides podiatry services across the Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge (BHR). The population that we serve are multi-cultural and diverse. We work closely with the Community Podiatry teams improving patient outcomes and helping our residents reduce the risk of developing active limb-threatening or life-threatening diabetic foot problems.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate would be employed full-time at band 3 level and supported throughout their training by an established podiatry team. During the apprenticeship 60% of the working week will be as podiatry support worker. Competencies will be gained in providing foot assessments and basic footcare to high-risk patients. This will be undertaken in both clinical and domiciliary settings. Supervised sessions in biomechanics, wound care and nail surgery will also be undertaken.

20% of the work contract will be accessing online learning materials per week provided by Plymouth University and 20% of the work contract occurs in supervised clinical practice. It is important to note that adherence to both the educational demands of the course and clinical aspect are required to complete the apprenticeship.

Applicants must have GCSE minimum grade C/4 (or accepted equivalent) in mathematics and English, GCSE minimum grade C/4 in a science subject and the equivalent of 2 - 3 'A' levels to be considered.

Applicants must be currently and lawfully resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the planned apprenticeship.

Applicants must not be undertaking any other government funded training programme.  

The successful candidate will be working within agreed local care pathways, codes of practice and professional standards, and specifically embedding clinical quality guidelines.

Working for our organisation

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust.  All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment.  As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes.  The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London 

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,551 to a maximum of £5,735).