Podiatry assistant

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed to be a podiatry assistant. Courses include:

• healthcare support
• health and social care
• applied science
• biology
• T Level in Health

Many health and social care courses include work placements and this can be a good way to get some experience.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This takes around 2 years to complete and combines training on the job with classroom study.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could then move into podiatry through further training and promotion.

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can apply directly for podiatry assistant roles if you've got relevant skills and experience.

You might need a qualification in a health related subject and experience of working with people in a healthcare setting.

You could be self employed and provide foot care to the general public, rather than work in the NHS.

You could complete training in foot health with The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners .

Career Tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would impact your work, if applying for jobs in the NHS.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a podiatry assistant from the Royal College of Podiatry and Health Careers .

As a podiatry assistant, you could:

• get patients ready for treatment
• support podiatrists during foot care procedures
• treat patients who have been assessed, following podiatrist instructions
• cut and file toenails, apply ointments and dress wounds
• sterilise instruments
• book appointments and maintain patient records
• give advice on foot and nail care, particularly for patients with a medical condition, like diabetes

You could work at a client's home, at a health centre, in an NHS or private hospital or at a GP practice.

You may need to wear a uniform.