[ref. l82507818] Podiatry BSc Apprenticeship - Bristol

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We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received prior to the advertised closing date.

Job overview

Imagine if you could study for a podiatry degree, with all tuition fees covered, while earning a salary at the same time

You can, with Sirona Care and Health.

The programme is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Podiatrist.

Podiatrists are registered allied healthcare professionals specialising in the lower limb, providing high quality clinical care to people of all ages. Their role is to protect people’s feet, providing advice, care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of problems affecting the lower limb.

Podiatry is a rewarding and varied profession. It is suited to individuals that communicate well, enjoy problem solving and wish to develop practical and intellectual skills to improve patient outcomes.

It is a three-year work-based programme allocating specific times to work under direct supervision from expert clinical podiatrists and allocated off-the-job learning. The University of Plymouth provides on-line expertise to support the apprentice in gaining evidence-based knowledge and appropriate academic skills to gain both theoretical understanding and clinical aptitude.

The apprenticeship commences in September 2025.

On successful completion of the programme the applicant will be a qualified Podiatrist and able to apply for permanent Podiatry positions.

Main duties of the job

During your apprenticeship 60% of your working week will be as podiatry support worker and you will gain competencies to provide basic footcare to high-risk patients, including simple wound care following treatment plans, clinical and domiciliary.

You will also work alongside a podiatrist to assist in nail surgery sessions and carryout nail surgery re-dressings.

20% of your work contract will be accessing online learning materials per week provided by Plymouth University and 20% of your work contract in supervised clinical practice per week over the 3 year period.

The academic part of the training provided by the University of Plymouth will include modules as detailed below:

• Introduction to podiatric practice
• An introduction to podiatric clinical practice
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Lower limb studies 1
• Person centred care
• Professional and inter-professional working
• Research methods
• Special patient groups
• Systemic disorders of the lower limb
• Musculoskeletal conditions and applied biomechanics in the foot and lower limb
• Gait, footwear and orthoses
• Lower limb studies 2
• Research project
• Pharmacology
• Minor surgery
• Complex podiatric medicine
• Leadership and clinical education.

Working for our organisation

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!

We are Sirona care & health – England’s largest provider of Adult’s and Children’s Community Services and we’d love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days’ annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme – just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different – we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.

Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities before applying for this position.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role and can only accept applications from UK based applicants.

If you are not currently a permanent UK resident, please refer to the attached 'Apprenticeship Funding Rules' document to check your eligibility for this role.

Person specification

qualifications

• GCSE minimum grade C/4 in mathematics
• GCSE minimum grade C/4 in English
• GCSE minimum grade C/4 in a science subject
• Level 3 qualifications ( A-levels, B-TEC or equivalent) within last 8 years

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding the role of a Podiatrist and Podiatry assistant in contect of the team and organisation and how role may contribute to service development
• Understanding of the demands of studying part-time alongside employment
• Insight into how to reflect and evaluate own strengths and developments needs
• Ability to perform treatments in a variety of settings such as clinics, patient's homes and hospital sites
• Fine motor dexterity which will become more advanced throughout the apprenticeship to enable use of fine instruments in podiatry treatment
• Valid UK driving license and has access to own transport

• previous experience of working in a health care setting
• Knowledge of the professional code of conduct for Podiatry
• Understanding of scope of practice whilst training and how to manage this when transitioning between the roles of support worker and student

Personal Attributes

• Good communications skills
• Ability to complete apprenticeship work outside paid working hours
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
• Approachable and flexible
• Ability to work effectively as a team member
• Physically capable of performing the roles and responsibilities expected of the post holder
• Understanding of confidentiality and Data protection
• Commitment to Equality and Valuing Diversity Principles

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook)