Podiatrist
What is a Podiatrist?
Podiatrists look after the health of people's feet by diagnosing, treating and preventing foot abnormalities, and by teaching the public about good foot health.
Roles of a Podiatrist
Podiatrists may perform the following tasks:
- Screen patients with diabetes to determine their risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers
- Treat high risk pathologies that threaten the integrity of the lower limb
- Perform minor surgical procedures on the foot
- Diagnose, treat and provide advice on foot disorders
- Improve mobility and independence of individuals by the prevention and management of foot problems
- A primary source of information for the community in all matters relating to the foot
- Provide foot health education to other health care professionals
- Manage abnormalities of bones, joints, skin and nails such as bunions, toe deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, warts and other infections
- Recommend appropriate footwear for specific foot conditions
- Prescribe orthotic devices for accommodation and/or correction of a wide range of foot and gait abnormalities
Specialisations
Podiatrists may develop a special interest in dealing with particular client groups such as children, the aged, and sports people. Podiatrists working in public health manage patients with feet that are at risk of ulceration or amputation (high risk feet).
Podiatrists work indoors in private practice, public hospitals, community health centres and nursing homes.
Qualifications Required
- To practise as a podiatrist you need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). To be eligible for registration you must hold a tertiary qualification in podiatry. In NSW three Universities offer this qualification.
Supervision Provided
New graduate Podiatrists are supervised and mentored by the Senior Podiatrist and participate in a comprehensive orientation program to the Health Service.
High value is placed on continual education. Podiatrists are encouraged to participate actively in a range of activities both within the Local Health District and externally.
What sort of person should I be?
- Desire to work with people
- Independent and highly motivated
- Enjoy working closely with other health professionals
Personal Skills required of a Podiatrist
- Desire to work with people on a one-to-one basis
- Able to work independent and part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Enjoy health care
- Good communication skills
- Good with hands.
- Efficient time management abilities