How to become a Podiatrist

How to become a Podiatrist Thinking about becoming a Podiatrist? Best foot forward… Podiatrists (also known as Chiropodists) diagnose and treat conditions which affect the feet, ankles and lower legs.They can be found working in hospitals, health centres and private clinics, helping to provide preventative care for a range of foot-related ailments. Common afflictions treated by a Podiatrist include fungal infections, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, verrucas, athlete’s foot, sports injuries, sprains and fractures, and diseases associated with circulation problems (such as diabetes).Day-to-day duties for a Podiatrist may include:Making appointments and consulting with clientsCarrying out clinical assessments and physical examinationsPerforming x-rays and blood tests to help determine the problemDiagnosing and treating conditions, where possiblePrescribing and fitting orthoticsFollowing up with patients that require regular careReferring patients to specialists, or recommending them for surgeryIs it rig ht for me?To become a Podiatrist, you’ll need to be passionate about working with people, providing them with the best care possible whatever their affliction.The patients you work with will have a variety of different issues, ranging from nail conditions which may be easy to treat, through to those at affected by conditions such as arthritis or diabetes, who may be at risk of amputation. It will take excellent problem-solving skills to get to the root of the cause, not to mention a strong constitution.Those who are easily made squeamish (and/or can’t deal with feet) need not apply…Other key skills for a Neurologist include:Manual dexteritySensitivityTactExcellent interpersonal skillsAttention to detailGood eyesightCareer Progression Assistant PodiatristUp to £22,000 PodiatristUp to £30,000 Lead PodiatristUp to £40,000What's it really like? One thing I can say about working as a Podiatrist: it’s never boring. I work in a hospital, which means I get to see patients from various different backgrounds, and help improve their general health and wellbeing. A typical day could be anything from diagnosing fungal nail conditions, through to helping rehabilitate people with physical trauma, such as sports or motor accidents. The days can be quite long, and some things you see are pretty horrific, but as long as I’m helping people, I’m happy. Hopefully one day I’ll even be able to start up my own private practice. Get qualifiedTo become a Podiatrist, you will need to have completed a degree in podiatry, and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).