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Podiatrist

Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems to improve people's mobility and quality of life.

Annual Salary

£28,000 to £50,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 40 a week

You could work: weekends;

3.8%
Future employment

There will be 3.8% more Podiatrist jobs in 2027.

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 may need to wear a uniform.

You could work at a GP practice, at a client's home, at a health centre or in an NHS or private hospital.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You could start as a podiatry assistant and study part time for a degree to qualify as a podiatrist.

Volunteering and work experience

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

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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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

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • 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
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