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Podiatry assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Chiropody assistant, footcare assistant

Podiatry assistants provide foot treatments and nail care under the supervision of a podiatrist.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£26,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

weekends

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Podiatry assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

College

You could do a college course to help you to become a podiatry assistant. 

Most health and social care courses include work placements and this can be a good way of getting experience.

You could do a Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Health and Care Professions or a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which has a training option for podiatry assistants.

When recruiting, employers might choose apprentices who have experience as a support worker.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could then move into podiatry through training and promotion.

Volunteering

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

Direct Application

You can apply directly for podiatry assistant roles if you've got relevant skills and experience.

You might need a qualification in a health related subject and experience of working with people.

Other Routes

You could be self employed and provide foot care to the general public, rather than in the NHS.

You'll need to take a Diploma in Foot Health Practice. 

You'll then need to become a member of The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners and work as a foot health practitioner.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a podiatry assistant from The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • customer service skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You might need a driving licence and access to your own transport to visit clients in their own home.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a podiatry assistant you could:

  • make appointments and get patients ready for treatment
  • support podiatrists during a procedure
  • treat patients who have already been assessed
  • cut toenails and apply dressings
  • give advice on foot and nail care, particularly for patients with diabetes

Working environment

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

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • move up to become an assistant practitioner
  • train to become a podiatrist
  • set up your own business, if you're self employed

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

The Royal Navy - Medical Assistant Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,400 a year Annually
  • Location: The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Health and Social Care

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Health and Social Care

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds
Find courses near you

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