Podiatrist [1]
You’ll treat and care for people whose feet and legs have been affected by injury or illness.
To practice as a podiatrist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In order to register with the HCPC, you need to study for an approved degree level qualification in podiatry. Degree courses take three or four years, either full time or part time. If you have a relevant first degree, you can apply for a 2-year Masters programme in podiatry. A degree standard apprenticeship in podiatry has also been approved.
Most podiatrists in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They may work some evenings. Your starting salary will be band 5 of the Agenda for Change pay rates. Some podiatrists have to travel between client appointments.
Skills needed include being happy to handle other people’s feet, being good listeners, understanding good manual (hand) skills and organisation skills
You may choose to specialise in a particular area of practice such as sports injuries, diabetes, forensic podiatry or working with children. Other options include teaching or research. You could also move into management, either within podiatry services or general management. As head of a local podiatry service you would be responsible both for a team of staff and for managing a budget. Some podiatrists do further training to become podiatric surgeons. Others may decide to set up their own clinics, on their own or with other professionals.
Related roles
- Podiatry assistant [2]
- Physiotherapist [3]
- Prosthetist/orthotist [4]
- Prosthetic technician [5]
Reconstructive science is concerned with the corrective treatment of patients with malformation, cancer or trauma – especially in the skull, jaw and face.
You’ll need to be a registered dental technician or dental technologist in order to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in reconstructive sciences.
NHS staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern. Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, you could apply for posts. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
A mature, calm, confident but sympathetic approach to achieve the best outcome for each patient; confidence with technology, systems and processes; an interest in science and technology; meticulous attention to detail; good interpersonal skills and able to work as part of a team.
With further training or experience or both, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.