Podiatry Apprentice - COVID-19 in Peterborough

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust Podiatry Service have an exciting opportunity for a podiatry apprentice to join our innovative and supportive podiatry team. The graduate Podiatry Apprenticeship programme is a new fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.

Podiatrists are registered healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb (feet, ankles, legs), providing high quality clinical care to people of all ages. A Podiatrist’s job is to work to protect people’s feet, providing preventative advice, care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the lower limb.

What’s involved?

The apprenticeship is a four-year programme of work based learning that is directly related to the apprenticeship standard. In addition, the apprenticeship has a mandatory 40% off-the-job learning. The University-based Honours degree study is also linked to the Apprenticeship Standard. It is scheduled to commence in September 2020 with interviews to take place in August 2020.

Eligibility

You will be able to demonstrate how you will be able to use the experiences you are bringing to become a Podiatrist. Understanding of the scope of the role of the Podiatrist and Podiatry assistant in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development. You will treat people with dignity, respecting individual's diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences. You will show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice. You will also be adaptable, reflective, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience, self-awareness and demonstrate leadership.

In addition, you must be able to meet the following criteria:

• Grade C in GCSE English and Maths or functional skills level 2 (equivalent to GCSE C)
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of recent academic achievement within the last 5 years, such that they may be deemed capable of study at degree level
• Able to evidence the ability to study at a Higher Education level
• Right of abode in the UK meeting University admission

In addition to one of the following:

• Qualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience
• Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at level 3 – All distinctions including Biology or Chemistry
• 120 UCAS points / A Levels with a science background

Programme content

The academic part of the training will be provided by the University Of East London (UEL) over the 4 year period. Apprentices will study in three 16 week terms each year, spending 60% of the week working for CPFT throughout. 1 day per week will be spent at the University for theory learning, with an additional 4 – 6 hours of protected learning time in the workplace built into your working week. The following modules will be covered across your learning with the University:

• Professional Practice and mental health
• Anatomy and physiology
• Podiatric Practice, pathology, pharmacology
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment and management
• Clinical reasoning and research methods

Throughout your apprenticeship key competencies and skills will be review periodically in assessed placements/ practice based learning. These periods may be within the department or in alternative healthcare providers to ensure the following key areas of practice can be assessed:

• Patients with problems related to endocrine & rheumatological function
• Patients with problems related to musculoskeletal function and sporting activities
• Patients with problems related to neurological function
• Patients with problems related to dermatological function
• Patients requiring nail surgery
• Patients located in a variety of healthcare and community settings

Throughout the course you will develop competencies in the aforementioned areas, this will enable an expanding job description and associated salary increases as time passes. On completion of the course the applicant will be a qualified Podiatrist and able to apply for permanent Podiatry positions, subject to availability.