How to become a 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 get into this job. Relevant subjects include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
- Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Most health and social care courses include work placements and this can be a good way of getting experience.
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
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Apprenticeship
You'll need to do an advanced apprenticeship as a senior healthcare support worker, which has a training option for podiatry assistants.
When recruiting, employers may select 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
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Work
You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could move into podiatry work through further training and promotion.
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to get some paid or unpaid voluntary experience in a healthcare setting or or a caring role with older people, or people with physical disabilities, or learning difficulties.
You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from work like care or health-related roles.
Employers may ask for a qualification in a health-related subject, and experience of working with people.
Other Routes
You could be self-employed and provide routine foot care to the general public, rather than in the NHS.
You'll need to take a Diploma in Foot Health Practice. You would then register with The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners and work as a foot health practitioner.
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Further information
You can find out more about becoming a podiatry assistant from The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners and Health Careers.