More about a career in podiatry

If you have read my article deciding on the school, you might find the following material helpful. Click on the blue sections to take you to the relevant information. To go to the main article, click here (website) OR download a hard copy. The information below covers four areas:

  • How to find a podiatrist for contact experience?
  • Which university to select?
  • Options and interviews with past students
  • Salaries in the NHS

NOW AVAILABLE

A Career in Podiatric Medicine. A Step in the Right Direction.

A career book on podiatry and all its different options in one place. Purchase from AMAZON BOOKS—paperback £10.99, colour paperback £15.00 and hardback £26.00


(1) Contact your local podiatrist for a meeting and contact experience
Find a podiatrist near you

Most podiatrists are only too happy to speak to school leavers and students about the profession of podiatry. Contact the practice and ask if you can attend a clinic. There may be a minimum age requirement, and some sessions may be sensitive, so you may have to step out depending on the patient. It is valuable to see what is available and how the podiatrist works. Click on the blue ‘find a podiatrist’ above and use your postcode. To spend time in the NHS, visiting the local NHS website and checking out services may be best. More information should be available about contacting the podiatry service. Write to me at busypencilcasecfp@gmail if you have any queries. 

(2) Write to a university for more information about their course
Find a university

Many universities have open days where you can check out the facilities like accommodation for the first year, clinics, and meet students as lecturers. A quality library is worth looking over as this is where self-directed study is essential. Many universities are closely linked with the NHS and some independent practices where placements are essential to gain practical experience.

(3) Options, salary and clinician-student interviews
More about podiatry and the career from the Royal College of Podiatry

The two official bodies include the Royal College of Podiatry (RCP) and the Institute of Chiropodists & Podiatrists (IOCP). Students can join these professional bodies once they have fulfilled membership requirements.

The IOCP also has a diverse membership for foot health practitioners. This group do not have a formal university degree but provides some foot health services to the public. Consultingfootpain has produced an article on the difference between chiropody and podiatry (see no.2 below under ‘more articles’).

(4) NHS salary structure
Official agenda for change pay rates

NHS Agenda for change provides a matrix of salaries which are reviewed annually. Private practice salaries depend on how many days you wish to work, the nature of your service and the provision of products often sold to clients. As a commercial enterprise, the earning capabilities are extensive, with some sources suggesting from £30,000 – £80,000 per annum and others above £100,000 for successful practices. Podiatrists may be sole owners, manager-owners, associates or assistant podiatrists.


  1. What Career to Choose After School? (I)
  2. Podiatry as an Inspiring Career (II)
  3. Podiatry as a career choice (III)
  4. What’s the difference between chiropody & podiatry?
  5. What is a podiatric surgeon?
  6. Podiatric Surgery – a Fairy Tale come True

 

Additional books available as ebooks and paperback editions available from Amazon Books

  1. Podiatrist on A Mission (author autobiography & development of podiatry)
  2. Selling foot health as podiatry (clinical practice)
  3. Foot Health Myths, Facts & Fables (foot conditions)

Thanks for reading ‘Resources for a career in podiatry’ by David R Tollafield

Published by Busypencilcase Communications Est. 2015
Updated 25 February 2023

%d bloggers like this: