Podiatry support worker

Podiatry support workers are also sometimes known as podiatry assistant practitioners or foot care assistants. They work with podiatrists to provide general foot treatments, assist minor surgeries and give advice to patients on foot and nail care.

Starting your career

Choosing subjects at school

To become a podiatry support worker, you need a good standard of education. There are no entry requirements, but useful subjects include:

• Science
• English
• Maths

Work placements and volunteering

You may find it helpful to get some experience of working in healthcare by doing a work placement. There may also be opportunities to volunteer. This could help you when applying to university, college or a new job with NHSScotland.

Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships

A Foundation Apprenticeship could give you the skills, knowledge and work experience you need to start your career journey as a podiatry support worker.

Learn more about the Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare.

Modern Apprenticeships 

Begin or continue learning the skills, knowledge and work experience you need to become a podiatry support worker with a Modern Apprenticeship.

Find out about the Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support.

All Healthcare Support modern apprentices study the three mandatory units of communication, health and safety, and learning development. For podiatry support worker, you will then choose your remaining units from the clinical pathway options.

The role

You will give clinical support to the podiatrist, making sure they have all their equipment needed to treat patients. You’ll prepare the patient for treatment by cleaning their feet and making them comfortable. Once the podiatrist has assessed the patient and recommended a treatment plan, you’ll carry out simple procedures. You could then take insole templates, cut toenails or apply dressings.

As a podiatry support worker, you’ll work with people of all ages with a range of conditions including:

• arthritic conditions
• skin conditions
• diabetes
• heart and blood disorders
• disorders of the nervous system
• sports injuries to the foot and lower limb

What you’ll do

Your main tasks include:

• providing advice about personal foot care
• manufacturing orthotics
• wound management
• diabetic foot screening
• therapeutic ultrasound
• clinical environment management
• giving health education talks

In-between treatments, you’ll be required to clean and sterilise equipment ready for the next patient.

Top skills

You’ll need these skills:

• caring for people
• communicating with people
• listening
• motivating people
• problem-solving
• relationship-building

Who you’ll work with

You could work with:

• podiatrists
• other healthcare support workers

Working environment

You could work in:

• health centres
• a person’s own home
• nursing homes
• hospitals

Useful information

To work as a podiatry support worker in NHSScotland, you’ll need to:

• complete occupational health checks
• join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

Did you know?

The professional care of feet can be dated back to ancient Egypt in 2400 BC. Carvings have been spotted that show hands and feet getting work done on them.

Learning and development

When joining the NHS, you will work through the Mandatory Induction Standards. These standards are designed to help you work safely and must be completed within the first 3 to 6 months of employment. They will also support you in your first steps as a new healthcare support worker.

You may also be encouraged when in the post to work towards further education qualifications. These may include:

• SVQ Healthcare Support (Clinical) at SCQF level 7
• Professional Development Award (PDA) in Podiatry Support

Podiatry assistant practitioners can also join the College of Podiatry as associate members. The College provides courses, conferences and seminars to update your skills and network with others.

Getting experience as a healthcare support worker can be very helpful if you decide you want to go to university to study to become a registered podiatrist.

Learn more about becoming a healthcare support worker from NHS Education for Scotland's Healthcare Support Worker Careers Guidance leaflet.