Podiatrist

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). 

You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the podiatrist page on the NHS Careers website. 

• NHS Education for Scotland – Training for the healthcare workforce including higher education and professional development