1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Podiatrist

Podiatrist

Alternative titles for this job include Chiropodist

Podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems, improving people's mobility and quality of life.

Average salary (a year)

£24,907 Starter

to

£30,615 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

weekends

How to become

How to become a podiatrist

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 (HCPC).

If you already have a degree in a healthcare or science related subject, you can apply for an accelerated degree in podiatry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a degree apprenticeship in podiatry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

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

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the health or care sector before you apply for a course.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations for professional development and networking opportunities, like:

Further information

You can find out more about careers in this area from Careers in Podiatry.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • customer service skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to read English
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day tasks, you could:

  • diagnose and treat sports injuries
  • talk to patients about foot health, and give talks to groups
  • share information with other health professionals like GPs
  • discuss treatment options with patients
  • carry out treatments and minor surgery using scalpels, chemicals and local anaesthetics
  • screen children for foot problems
  • keep patient records
  • supervise 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

Career path and progression

You could focus on a specialist area like surgery or orthotics, designing and fitting appliances like braces and in-shoe correction aids.

You could join a professional body to get access to training in areas like nail surgery, diabetes and wound care.

You could set up your own practice. Some people combine this with part-time working in the NHS.

You could study for a Master’s (MSc) or PhD and move into research or teaching.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a podiatrist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE: Health Science Professions

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2021
  • Location: Hull

Access to Higher Education Diploma: Health Science Professions (2 yr)

  • Provider: YORK COLLEGE
  • Start date: 20 September 2021
  • Location: York
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.