Podiatrist
Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems to improve people's mobility and quality of life.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a podiatrist you could:
- assess patients' feet and lower legs and discuss treatment options
- diagnose conditions and treat injuries from sport or dance
- carry out treatments and minor surgery using scalpels, chemicals and local anaesthetics
- screen children for foot problems
- work with other health professionals like GPs and physiotherapists
- keep records, manage appointments and supervise podiatry assistants
Working environment
You could work at a GP practice, at a client's home, at a health centre or in an NHS or private hospital.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- specialise in an area like sports injuries or working with children
- do training in areas like nail surgery, diabetes and wound care
- work part time in the NHS and set up your own practice
- study for a master's or PhD and move into teaching or research
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of medicine and how the body works
- customer service skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to learn through your work
- sensitivity and understanding
- active listening skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You'll need to complete a degree in podiatry approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
If you already have a degree in a healthcare or science subject, you can apply for an accelerated degree in podiatry.
You might be able to get additional student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
More Information
You could do the Podiatrist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This usually takes 4 years to complete as a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as a podiatry assistant and study part time for a degree to qualify as a podiatrist.
You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Royal College of Podiatry for professional development and networking opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a podiatrist from Health Careers and the Royal College of Podiatry.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.