Podiatrist or Chiropodist
Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat damage, infection or disease of the feet and lower legs of their patients. If there is a medical problem, they refer the patient to a doctor.
They are also known as chiropodists.
The Work
You could be:- treating feet for skin problems, such as corns, athlete's foot or verrucas; joint problems such as bunions; or problems such as ulceration caused by diabetes or poor circulation
- assessing and diagnosing conditions such as: diabetes, rheumatism, musculo-skeletal and neurological disorders, bad posture, sports injury
- analysing how a patient walks using a treadmill or video film
- applying exercise and massage
- applying creams or other medication
- putting on dressings to relieve pain
- fitting appliances such as insoles or orthotics
- advising individuals or groups on foot care, in order to prevent damage
- referring patients where necessary to other professionals, such as physiotherapists or orthopaedists.
After extra training, you might do minor surgery, using scalpels and drills, such as removing damaged or ingrowing toe nails, under local anaesthetic given by injection.
Conditions
- You might work in a hospital, clinic, health centre, residential home or in a patient’s home.
- If you are self-employed you might work from a room set aside in your own home.
- You may need to travel to patients’ homes.
- Hours are usually regular if you work in the National Health Service (NHS).
- In private practice you might work evenings and weekends.
- You could work part time.
Getting In
- You need a degree in chiropody or podiatry.
- Both Glasgow Caledonian University and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh offer BSc degrees in Podiatry.
- Entry requirements are 4 Highers, including English and a science subject. Maths at Standard grade Credit level or National 5 may also be required.
- You will require a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
- You must provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.
- When you complete your course you gain UK state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must have this to work in the NHS.
- Relevant experience is helpful.
- You should have good eyesight.
- A driving licence is useful.
Most podiatrists start off working for the NHS, treating those who are eligible for podiatry on the NHS: older people, diabetics, children or pregnant women. You might also work in sports clubs, the armed forces and even high street shops. A large proportion eventually set up in private practice.
What Does It Take?
You should be:- able to get on well with people from all backgrounds and of all ages
- accurate, precise and careful
- good with your hands – you must carry out delicate procedures on patients’ feet
- patient and sympathetic when dealing with patients
- good at solving problems
- confident to work alone and take decisions
- able to keep accurate patient records.
You should have a good head for business if you plan to work in private practice. Business training is included in the podiatry course.
Training
- Once you have gained state registration, training is on the job, with short courses to keep you up to date.
- You could undertake a postgraduate qualification where you could focus on a specialist area. Queen Margaret university offers an MSc in Podiatry by distance learning.
- The HCPC requires you to keep up your continued professional development (CPD) to remain on the state register.
- The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) is the main provider of CPD courses for this sector.
- With specialist training podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medication for certain foot and ankle conditions.
Getting On
- Employment prospects are good – 100% find work within 12 months of qualifying.
- You might move into a senior post or into management.
- You might specialise in a particular area such as surgery, biomechanics or sports podiatry.
- You could become self-employed.
- You could go into teaching podiatry.
Pay
Pay rates can vary depending on whether you are working with the NHS, with a private practice, or are self-employed.
- Within the NHS Agenda for Change scales podiatrists' salaries are on Band 5.
- From April 2014 this scale ranges from £21,602 to £28,180 a year.
- A podiatrist specialist is on Band 6: £26,041 to £34,876 a year.
- An advanced podiatrist is on Band 7: £31,072 to £40,964.
More Information
Addresses
The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.
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Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists |
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| Tel:
020 7234 8620 |
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| E-mail:
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| Website:
http://www.scpod.org/
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Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) |
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| Tel:
0845 300 6184 |
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| E-mail:
education@hcpc-uk.org
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| Website:
http://www.hcpc-uk.org/
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| Note:
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the UK-wide regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct in the following 14 healthcare professions: Arts Therapists (Art Therapist, Dramatherapist, Music Therapist); Biomedical Scientist (or Medical Laboratory Technician); Chiropodist and Podiatrist; Clinical Scientist; Dietician; Occupational Therapist; Operating Department Practitioner; Orthoptist; Paramedic; Physiotherapist; Practitioner Psychologist; Prosthetist and Orthotist; Radiographer; Speech and Language Therapist. (The HCPC may regulate other healthcare professions in the future.) The HCPC website contains a register of all approved courses in the above professions. |
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