Podiatrist

As a podiatrist you'll treat patients with a range of conditions, including infections, defects and injuries, as well as foot and nail conditions related to other major health disorders such as diabetes and arthritis. Your aim will be to improve mobility, reduce pain and provide treatment and advice.

You could be based in a hospital, GP surgery or within private practice and may work with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.

You may provide treatments such as orthotics, specialised dressings, exercise therapies, cryotherapy, electrosurgery and ultrasonics. You may also advise on, supply or administer certain medicines, depending on your scope of practice, training and registration annotations.

Podiatrists are also known as chiropodists. Both are protected titles and you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise under either title.

What do podiatrists do?

As a podiatrist, you'll:

• assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate abnormalities and diseases related to the foot and lower limb in people of all ages
• carry out treatments such as wound care, nail care, minor surgical procedures, cryotherapy and gait analysis, depending on your role and setting
• work with high-risk patient groups, such as older people and people with diabetes, vascular disease, neuropathy or an increased risk of amputation
• carry out vascular, neurological and other foot health assessments to identify risk and plan care
• provide advice and make referrals to other healthcare and social care professionals as appropriate
• assess the need for and provide foot orthoses/orthotics, footwear advice and devices that relieve pressure on the foot, where appropriate
• deliver foot health education and advice on preventing and managing foot problems
• assess gait and lower-limb biomechanics to preserve, restore and develop movement
• work with people in sports, dance or performance to address related injuries and strain affecting the feet and lower limbs
• undertake administrative tasks, such as maintaining patient records, managing stock levels and ensuring equipment is kept in good working order.

Podiatrist salaries

• Entry-level salaries in the NHS in England range from £32,073 to £39,043 (band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates). Salaries at specialist podiatrist level range from £39,959 to £48,117 (band 6), rising to between £49,387 and £56,515 (band 7) for advanced, team leader and clinical lead roles.
• Salaries for senior, consultant, service lead or specialist registrar roles can range from £57,528 to £108,814 (bands 8a to 8d). At the highest level, consultant podiatric surgeons and senior service leadership roles can earn up to £129,783 (top of band 9).
• According to the Royal College of Podiatry, independent podiatrists working in private/independent practice can typically earn around £30,000 to £50,000. Income can be significantly higher if you own a successful private practice, with potential practice-owner earnings ranging from around £50,000 to £250,000 for a single-chair practice and around £100,000 to £500,000 for a multi-chair practice.

Your income can also be affected by your experience, geographical location, the type of podiatry you practise, the type of treatment provided, reputation and hours worked.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a podiatrist work?

Working hours in the NHS are typically 37.5 per week. Some roles may include evening or weekend work.

If you're based in private practice, you may work more flexibly, and if you're self-employed you can set your own hours. However, you may choose to offer some evening or weekend appointments for the convenience of patients.

You can combine freelance work with part-time NHS work. This may include working for a private podiatry clinic, working in a GP surgery, making home visits or doing locum work.

How do you become a podiatrist?

You must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise as a podiatrist. To register, you'll need to complete an HCPC-approved undergraduate or postgraduate podiatry degree. Undergraduate degree programmes usually last three to four years.

If you already have a degree, you could apply for an HCPC-approved pre-registration Masters degree in podiatry. Courses typically last two years full time. Entry requirements vary, but courses may ask for a degree in a healthcare, science or other relevant subject, such as biology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or sports science.

Courses combine theory and practice and include at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice with patients. You'll usually also need an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) membership scheme in Scotland) and occupational health clearance.

It's also possible, where available, to take a podiatry degree apprenticeship, allowing you to work and earn a salary while studying for your qualification.

For a list of all HCPC-approved courses, search the HCPC Register of approved education and training programmes.

Entry without a degree is only possible at podiatry assistant or support worker level, working under the supervision of a registered podiatrist. It may be possible, with experience, to train to become a podiatrist on one of the HCPC-approved courses.

Eligible podiatry students in England can receive at least £6,000 a year in funding support through the NHS Learning Support Fund. Funding arrangements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with the relevant student funding body.

What skills do podiatrists need?

You'll need:

• knowledge of foot and lower-limb anatomy, physiology and biomechanics
• clinical assessment and diagnostic skills, with the ability to identify foot and lower-limb conditions
• practical skills and manual dexterity for carrying out podiatry treatments safely and effectively
• the ability to understand and manage risk, particularly when working with people with diabetes, vascular disease, neuropathy or wounds
• communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain conditions, treatments and foot health advice clearly and sensitively to patients who may be anxious
• decision-making, problem-solving and organisational skills to plan treatment, manage a varied caseload and make referrals where appropriate
• the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

You'll also usually need a full driving licence for travel between appointments.

Podiatry work experience

You'll usually need to show an understanding of the role of a podiatrist to get a place on a course. You can gain this through work shadowing a registered podiatrist, talking to podiatrists, visiting podiatry departments or reading relevant material. Contact your local clinics, NHS podiatry services or private practices to ask about opportunities. You could use the Royal College of Podiatry's Find a Podiatrist tool to look for podiatrists in your area.

Experience of working in a health-related or caring role is also helpful, as are other roles that bring you into contact with people.

Student podiatrists can become members of the Royal College of Podiatry. Membership provides access to career resources, journals and learning materials, as well as opportunities to network and learn from other podiatrists.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs podiatrists?

You're likely to gain your first position and initial experience in the NHS. You could work in a hospital department, community clinic, health centre or GP surgery.

Outside the NHS, opportunities are available in:

• complementary therapy clinics
• high street or community podiatry clinics
• nursing or residential care homes
• occupational health services
• patients' homes through home-visiting services
• private clinics and independent practices
• sports clubs.

With experience, you may decide to set up your own private practice. Find out more about being self-employed.

It's also possible to go into research or teaching, where you could be employed by universities, hospitals or clinics. Some podiatrists also work in industry, for example in roles linked to foot health products, footwear, orthotics or medical devices.

Look for job vacancies at:

• HealthJobsUK
• Jobs.hscni.net - health and social care jobs in Northern Ireland.
• NHS Jobs - for vacancies in England and Wales.
• NHS Scotland National Recruitment Portal
• Royal College of Podiatry jobs board

Vacancies are also advertised on individual NHS trust and private practice websites.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Pulse also advertise vacancies.

Where can a career in podiatry lead?

In the NHS, newly qualified podiatrists usually start in entry-level roles and can progress to specialist podiatrist posts within the first few years, depending on experience, performance and available posts. With further experience, training and clearly defined competence, you could move into advanced specialist podiatry, team leader or clinical lead roles, and later into senior clinical, consultant, service lead, education or research roles.

You must undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career to maintain your HCPC registration. CPD can include work-based learning, formal courses, conferences, professional reading, research, supervision, mentoring and self-directed study.

Membership of a professional body, such as the Royal College of Podiatry, the British Chiropody and Podiatry Association (BCPA) or the Institute of Podiatrists, can provide access to CPD, professional guidance, events, networking opportunities and insurance. You may also undertake further training in areas such as diabetes, wound care, musculoskeletal podiatry, biomechanics, nail surgery, prescribing, leadership, education or research.

Opportunities for promotion and career development will depend on factors such as your clinical experience, postgraduate qualifications, specialist skills, leadership ability and scope of practice, as well as the availability of posts and your willingness to move between services or locations. Other options include working towards podiatric surgery roles, moving into teaching or academic research, combining NHS and private work, or setting up your own private practice once you have enough clinical and business experience.