Podiatrist/Chiropodist (Title: Foot Specialist)
Women's College Hospital
Total des années d'expérience :11 years, 11 Mois
Work in ambulatory hospital in the wound care clinic of dermatology department. Work alongside dermatologists, wound care nurses, etc. Primary goal of healing the wound bed with mechanical debridement, utilization of wound care dressings (i.e. prisma, inadine, aquacel ag, betadine, etc), and use of medical offloading devices (i.e. total contact casts, pneumatic air cast, custom orthotics, orthopaedic footwear, etc).
Provide podiatry related consultation, minor treatments, and orthotic and brace prescription and dispensing to both insured and non-insured members of the Canadian public. Conduct biomechanics assessments, gait analysis and casting using three-dimensional casting or scanner methods. Provide diabetes foot education and instruction on home care. Flexible hours and case mix.
In Summary:
-Podiatric consultations given to OW and ODSP patients from the community
-Prescribe both oral and topical medication pertinent to patient’s chief complaint
-Conduct biomechanics assessment, gait analysis and cast using three-dimensional plaster of paris and use foam boxes
-Provide diabetes foot education and instruction on home care
-Visit terminally ill patients within the community to do podiatric home-visits and routine treatments
-Incorporate the use of videos, picto-diagrams, and pamphlets to promote foot heath among the patients seen at Walk-In clinic
-Cross refer patients to internal providers or family GPs within the rehab and medical team
Work as part of a private multi-disciplinary team providing chiropody services to a wide demographic of Canadian patients experiencing lower limb ailments including children, seniors and athletes. Incorporate the support and help of the entire healthcare team in reaching patient’s target goals for recovery and self-efficacy. As a chiropodist, I utilize a high degree of manual dexterity, diagnostic skills, professional attitude and effective communication skills.
In Summary:
-Treat an array of foot related complaints such as plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, thick/fungal nails, warts/verruca pedis, routine diabetes foot care, etc.
-Prescribe topical and oral medications pertinent to lower limb care
-Perform soft tissue surgery of hallucial region, excisions and corticosteroid injections to the feet (i.e. plantar fascia and ankle)
-Apply conservative therapeutic modalities (ultrasound, low level laser, ECSWT, cryonic and paraffin bath) and instrumentation in the treatment and management of lower limb disorders
-Use orthotic therapy for biomechanical issues and medical graded compressional stockings for treatment of venous- compromised patients
-Measuring, fitting and dispensing of lower limb braces
-Work autonomously to manage a defined patient caseload (case mix about 10-15) whilst working as part of a multidisciplinary team and making referrals to members of staff as required.
-Entrusted with filing claims on behalf of patients and helping to manage minor clerical duties (i.e. appointments, transactions of each patient)
-Keep proper documentation for each clinical encounter
-Utilize effective communication skills to ensure clinical advice and treatment programs are delivered sensitively, taking into consideration the needs of patient and caregivers
-Monitor patient progress, follow-up and review treatment plans and interventions to encourage and reach resolution of patient’s chief complaint
-Handle equipment and tools with care and overlook their maintenance
-Conduct biological spore testing on autoclave
-Make and keep inventory of chiropody supplies
-Settle patient concerns through proper & professional conflict management
Prior to being part of Rexdale CHC as a locum part-time position I interned for about 5 months as a student in 2011 and 2012. My work included providing foot care and support to a diverse community of people through inter-professional collaboration of the primary health care team, the community social support groups, the health promotion sector, and collaboration & partnerships from the community development and social action. Assessed, treated and managed patient foot complaints in a holistic approach with the patient need being at the center of my care. Assisted in reducing patient wait list within the community. Primary focus on diabetes foot education, prevention of foot wounds, and management, salvaging and treatment of existing diabetes-related lower limb wounds. Catered to all age groups and individuals that were immune-compromised and/or classified "high-risk".
Duties:
-Part of a large multi-professional centre that helps in the treatment of patients to maintain mobility, independence, tissue viability and relieve discomfort; especially for those patients who are “at-risk”
-Obtaining new internal and external referrals and minimizing patient wait list (referrals based on individuals with little to no access to specialized healthcare and possessing barriers to the social determinants of health)
-Diabetes limb salvage and wound care through regular debridement (dependant on wound), proper offloading and management
-Responsible for regular maintenance of patients with acute and chronic foot ailments (existing client base) such as those with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic and localised conditions.
-Gain consent for both non-surgical and soft tissue surgical treatments and motivate patients to comply with treatment programs, overcoming barriers such as English language barrier, dementia, cognitive impairment, hearing, visual or speech impairment.
-Utilize effective communication skills to ensure clinical advice and treatment programs are delivered sensitively, taking into consideration patient need
-Extensive use of low level laser, Storz ESWT, and ultrasound therapy for patients with indicated complaint
-Maintaining accurate clinical documentation in line with professional standards, and policies and procedures of the centre via EMR Nightingale
-Regular cleaning and sterilisation of podiatry instrumentation
-Ensuring safe and timely discharge of patients from the caseload, liaising with other departments as required.
-Assessing, ordering and dispensing orthopaedic footwear
-Fabricating and modifying custom orthotics, footwear and braces
-Conducting biomechanics foot assessment and gait analyses
-Educating patients on the importance of glycemic control, smoking cessation and proper foot care and hygiene. Education given via verbal and written instructions and demos on foot care at home.
-Excellent inter-professionalism, development and maintenance of good working relationships with colleagues and other healthcare professionals to ensure integrated and high quality patient outcomes.
Filled for a Senior chiropodist/podiatrist for 7 month contract in a non-profit community health setting. Provided chiropody/podiatry services to a primarily geriatric population, individuals with chronic debilitating illnesses and diabetes patients. Focused on preventative medicine. Incorporated the support and help of our satellite location and the efforts and expertise of the entire healthcare team and staff. Helped to enhance community health in a comprehensive, safe, nurturing and respectful manner.
Specialize in wound analysis, treatment and management. Received both technical and practical skill through interactive seminars and training and lectures from the likes of CAWC rep Mariam Botros (Senior Chiropodist at Women's College hospital), Course Director and Developer Dr. Gary Sibbald (Wound Expert and Dermatologist) and Dr. Afsaneh Alavi to name a few. IIWCC is part of an internationally renowned and intensive course that has also set roots in UAE and has been part of Sheikh Khalifa hospital's approach to proper and more universal wound care management and treatment.
The Podiatric Medicine/Chiropody program is the largest and one of only 2 in Canada with this being only English taught and trained school, the other being in the French language. The program was completed with a D.Ch designation equivalency to the UK model's B.Sc. in Podiatric Medicine. Clinical Internships Held at: Michener-Sherbourne Clinic, Women's College Hospital, Rexdale Community Health Centre, LAMP, Fudger House LTC
Attained Specialized Honors B.Sc. designation