Podiatrist
Diagnose and treat foot and ankle disorders to help people stay active and mobile.
Also known as: chiropodist
About the job
What it's like
You would diagnose and treat foot and ankle disorders to help people stay active and mobile.
As a podiatrist - sometimes called a chiropodist - you'd give people advice about keeping their feet healthy, choosing footwear and how to prevent problems.
You would see a wide range of patients including:
Athletes with sports injuries
Elderly people with arthritis
Children with lower leg pain or walking problems
You would:
Assess and diagnose people’s injuries and issues
Discuss options for treatment with patients
Carry out treatments and minor surgery using scalpels, chemicals and local anaesthetics
Screen children for foot problems
Diagnose and treat sports injuries
Advise people about how to take care of their feet so problems don’t re-occur
For people who are at high risk of foot injury or disability, such as people with diabetes, you’d provide long-term care.
You’d need to plan workloads to spend time with patients and keep accurate records of their treatment.
You’d supervise chiropody/podiatry assistants. You would also work with other health professionals, such as orthopaedic specialists, GPs and health visitors.
You could be self-employed, work in the private sector or work for the National Health Service (NHS).Â
You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the podiatrist page on the NHS Careers website.Â
Hours
You will usually work 37.5 hours a week over five days. If you are self-employed or in private practice, you may work outside of these hours to fit in with patients. Once qualified as a podiatrist, you can choose to be self-employed.
Environment
You will usually work in a clinic, which could be attached to a hospital, health centre or GP surgery. You could also treat patients in their own homes or in residential and nursing homes. Some jobs may include visiting schools or attending sporting events. If you are self-employed you can set up your own private practice or be a self-employed locum working in private practices and private hospitals.
Explore more information about this job
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- podiatry
- surgery
- wound care
- orthotics
- low level laser therapy
- biomechanics
- cryotherapy
- diving
- dialysis
- neonatal intensive care unit
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- taking initiative
- social conscience
- respecting
- empathising
- researching
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- listening
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Care
Human Biology
Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need a degree (BSc Hons) in Podiatry (SCQF level 10).
To enter a podiatry degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and four Highers at BBBC or above, including English and a science subject.
Qualifications that demonstrate understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
Health and Social Care (SCQF level 6)
When you complete your course you gain UK state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must have this to work in the NHS.
You will need to be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Podiatrist'
