Podiatrist Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post presents detailed information on the podiatrist job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the podiatrist role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

Podiatrists are health care professionals who specialize in the treatment of feet and ankle ailments.

The podiatrist job description entails diagnosing and administering treatment for lower leg injuries to improve movement in patients.

In performing their duties, podiatrists diagnose feet and lower leg problems through X-ray examination and laboratory tests.

They develop therapeutic and surgical treatment plans to address patients’ foot and lower leg issues.

Their role also involves prescribing medications, supplying and fitting podiatric appliances to aid patients in moving.

As part of their responsibilities, podiatrists treat various kinds of foot/lower limb abnormalities such as feet calluses, corns, nail ingrowth, tumors, and abscesses.

They usually provide treatment to elderly patients and those with high risk of amputation.

Their work description also entails referring patients to other healthcare experts such as physical therapists and general practitioners for the treatment of systemic disorders like arthritis or diabetes, which can affect the legs.

Usually, podiatrists proffer recommendations on feet/ankle care as well as advice on general wellness.

They review patients’ medical history to determine course of treatment most suitable for a feet defect.

They also interact and maintain contact with patients to track the progress of treatment and determine if there’s need for a change in treatment plan.

In fulfilling their role, podiatrists – in a subspecialty known as podopediatrics – screen and provide treatment for feet problem in children.

They could specialize in sports medicine to treat leg and feet injuries in athletes. They also maintain up-to-date knowledge of podiatric techniques by participating in conferences and studying relevant materials.

Podiatrists as part of their description organize campaigns and programs to educate the public on the benefits of foot care.

They also perform administrative functions such as hiring employees and managing healthcare operations in a medical facility.

To get into the podiatrist career requires a doctoral degree in podiatric medicine (DPM).

Some of the qualities you will need to succeed in the career include interpersonal and critical thinking skills, as well as empathy.

Podiatrist Job Description Example/Template

Podiatrists perform various functions in taking care of lower leg injuries in patients. Below is a job description example that highlights major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the role in most health facilities:

• Review patients’ medical history to evaluate the condition of the feet, ankle or lower leg
• Carry out diagnosis on the feet through X-ray examination and medical laboratory tests
• Prescribe and fit prosthetic appliances such as shoe inserts to improve patients’ mobility
• Specialize in podogeriatrics to treat feet and lower leg problems in elderly people
• Perform foot and ankle surgeries to remove bone spurs and address leg deformity
• Prescribe medication for feet conditions such as plantar fascitis, heel stress, and athlete’s foot
• Refer patients to other specialists to treat conditions such as diabetes or arthritis
• Apply podiatric techniques such as whirlpool/paraffin baths, shortwave, and low voltage electrical treatment for patients
• Organize forums and programs to educate the public on the importance of foot care
• Direct and supervise the activities of podiatrist assistant and trainee podiatrists
• Advise patients on ways to increase speed of recovery and prevent future leg problems
• Monitor the recovery progress of patients to determine the need for change in treatment
• Operate instruments such as X-ray, lasers, grinders, and visual gait-analysis equipment in the treatment of patients
• Work in the field of sports medicine to address leg and feet injuries
• Attend educational conferences and seminars to update job knowledge.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Podiatrist Job

If you are interested in working as a podiatrist and want to know what you need to have to qualify for the job, the following are major requirements most employers usually set for the position:

• Education and Training: To become a podiatrist, you require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science discipline. This allows for entry into a 4-year doctoral degree in podiatric medicine. Podiatrists are required to go for a 3-year residency program on completion of a medical degree. They are also required to pass state board examination in order to obtain licensure for practice
• Interpersonal skill: Podiatrists are able to work with different groups of patients including children and the elderly
• Critical thinking skill: They are able to properly diagnose and develop treatment plan for patients with feet problems
• Empathy: They are compassionate towards patients undergoing feet treatment and are able to reassure them.

Conclusion

The job description sample provided in this post will assist employers who are looking to hire for the podiatrist position to create detailed description for the role for use in the recruitment process.

An advantage of having a detailed work description for the role is that it helps to attract the best candidates to the job offer, which makes your hiring process successful.

If you are thinking of getting into the podiatrist career, this post will also help you to learn a lot about it. You will be aware of the kind of duties and responsibilities you may likely be assigned and so prepare yourself well for them.