Chiropody assistants may also be known as podiatry assistants or foot care assistants. They give clinical support to qualified chiropodists/podiatrists and are involved in tasks such as cutting toe nails and applying dressings.

Assistants may offer advice on foot and nail care and undertake clerical tasks. They may have their own caseload, dealing with routine treatments and patients who have already been assessed by the chiropodist/podiatrist.

Hours and Environment

The working week is usually 37.5 hours. There may be opportunities for part-time work and job sharing.

NHS work may be in local clinics and health centres, in hospitals or in patients' own homes. Assistants may also be employed in private clinics and in chiropody departments of retail outlets such as chemist chains.

A uniform is usually worn.

Skills and Interests

To be a chiropody assistant, you should:

• enjoy working with people of all ages
• have a caring and understanding approach
• have good manual dexterity
• have strong verbal and written communication skills
• work well as part of a team
• be well organised.

A driving licence and access to your own transport may be useful because some positions involve visiting clients in their own home.

Entry

There are no formal educational requirements but you should have a good general standard of education. For some advanced work you may need four or more GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including maths, English and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications.

Experience in a medical setting, including work as receptionist in a medical practice, may be useful. However, employers vary in their requirements, and so it is advisable to check locally.

Some people work solely in private practice as Foot Health Practitioners (FHPs), delivering routine foot care to the general public. Many FHPs undertake a Diploma in Foot Health Practice and join the Voluntary Register of Foot Health Practitioners. Contact the Alliance of Private Sector Chiropody and Podiatry Practitioners for details; see Further Information section.

Training

Training takes place on the job when you are employed, and will usually involve around 500 hours in clinic together with theoretical, practical and oral assessments.

Trainees study a range of subjects including:

• skin and nail pathology
• microbiology
• anatomy
• circulation
• podiatric conditions.

You may also be trained to assist with operations - setting up equipment, making sure instruments are sterilised and ready, and ensuring patients are comfortable. Some assistants attend external courses like those run by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, the professional body and union for podiatrists.

It may be possible to work towards NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Health: Allied Health Profession Support (General), which includes mandatory core units and other optional units specific to the assessment, care, maintenance and treatment of feet.

Support workers can gain recognition for their level of expertise by working towards a foundation degree in a subject such as health and social care, or assisting professional practice.

Some assistants go on to train to become qualified chiropodists. With a relevant foundation degree, you may be able to go on to year two of a degree programme leading to registration as a chiropodist. It is important to check the entry requirements for courses with each institution; relevant work experience and vocational qualifications are highly regarded. Check the Chiropodist job profile for more details.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Chiropody assistants can work within the NHS, in private practice or in the retail sector.

This work provides valuable experience if you wish to train to become a qualified chiropodist/podiatrist; however, to become qualified you would still be required to follow the same route as those without relevant experience. For more details, please check the chiropodist/podiatrist job profile.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A chiropody/podiatry clinical support worker in the NHS can earn between £14,000 and £17,000 a year.
With experience and relevant qualifications, the salary may rise to £19,000 a year.

Further information

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655 1 Fellmonger's Path
Tower Bridge Road
London
SE1 3LY
Tel: 020 7234 8620