Podiatrist

As a podiatrist you could:

• assess patients' feet and lower legs and discuss treatment options
•  diagnose conditions and treat injuries from sport or dance
•  carry out treatments and minor surgery using scalpels, chemicals and local anaesthetics
•  screen children for foot problems
•  work with other health professionals like GPs and physiotherapists
•  keep records, manage appointments and supervise podiatry assistants

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to learn through your work
• sensitivity and understanding
• active listening skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

With experience you could:

• specialise in an area like sports injuries or working with children
•  do training in areas like nail surgery, diabetes and wound care
•  work part time in the NHS and set up your own practice
•  study for a master's or PhD and move into teaching or research