Royal Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Podiatrists

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Podiatrists

Podiatrists use expert knowledge and skilled techniques to make a huge difference to patients by treating issues with lower legs and feet. You will be providing a service that improves comfort and well-being as well as improving mobility for the most vulnerable

Your personalised approach to patient care will help relieve pain and reduce serious risks such as falls, and help those with diabetes improve their circulation to
avoid amputations where possible. Alongside treating conditions, you will educate and advise to maximise healthy choices and ensure your patients strive for a better quality of life.

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What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What can you expect from joining us? You can expect to be part of a team that is at the forefront of innovation and development, in both our services and our people. You can expect to be invested in, supported, and given the tools you need to succeed in your role and progress in your career.

Training and development opportunities are in high supply here, whether you are interested in clinical or leadership development, courses, secondments or placements. We’ll support you in finding the best way to grow.

The culture we have built has earned us a reputation within the Trust and our clear vision and plans instilled the belief and support required to access further financial investment. This allows us to improve patient pathways including early supported discharge in rehabilitation.

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Becoming a Podiatrist at the Royal Devon

How do I train to become a Podiatrist?

The first step to becoming a Podiatrist is to take a degree-level programme approved by the HCPC. This may be full-time or part-time if you are working in a relevant role. Once you have qualified, you will need to register with the HCPC, then you can start a Band 5 role.

Training and development
Other routes into Therapies

Another potential career route will see you grow from a Healthcare Support Worker, gaining relevant qualifications and experience along the way. We will support you on your journey, providing opportunities to achieve qualifications as you progress along your ideal career route.

Support Worker Assistant Practitioner
Newly qualified Podiatrists

To become a Registered Podiatrist, you will need a relevant degree. This can be achieved via an apprenticeship when working as an Assistant Practitioner. Once qualified, you will need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Register with HCPC Apply for a role with us Come to an event

What does a career pathway look like?

What does a career pathway look like?

There are so many ways to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career as a Podiatrist. You may be starting afresh and looking for a brand new role, or perhaps you have dedicated a few years to other goals and are looking to return to practice. If you are interested in developing your role, we have a wealth of opportunities you can harness too.

To help you on your way, we produced a brochure to kick start your career with us. 

Download our brochure

Your bespoke learning journey

Your bespoke learning journey

You’ll be supported to create your own personal development plan. This is used to identify your individual training needs, which can be met from the wide range of learning opportunities available such as clinical skills, management development, coaching and mentoring, IT skills and much more.

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Advancing your career

Registered Podiatrists

Joining the team at the Royal Devon presents a whole host of opportunities, including the chance to work in different settings with a rotational work pattern. It’s a brilliant way to glean exposure and experience. You’ll be making a difference every day, transforming the way our patients carry out day-to-day activities, improving their mobility and regaining their independence after illness, injury or trauma.

Funding is available for continued professional development, so take your pick of the acute and community pathways that open up as you strive to progress.

Training and development
Advanced Clinical Practitioners

Advanced Clinical Practitioners or Consultants (band 8s) are educated to Master’s level and have developed the skills and knowledge to allow them to take on expanded roles and scope of practice caring for patients. These roles will see you take on increased responsibility in your job roles as well as delivering expert clinical practice, professional leadership, education, training, research and evaluation.

You’ll need to complete a Master’s Degree Level 7 qualification in your chosen subject. You’ll receive lots of guidance and support whilst you do so. There is now a level seven (master’s level) apprenticeship in advanced clinical practice available, which can be funded through the apprenticeship levy. You can learn more about this on the Health Education England website.

Advanced and enhanced practice Advanced Practice toolkit

Preceptorship programme

Preceptorship programme

Whether you are newly qualified, joining us from outside the UK, or returning to practice, our Preceptorship Programme will help you find your feet so you feel as confident and competent as possible.

The structured programme consists of a series of study days, after which you will apply theory to practice and hone the skills you have learned as you gain experience within your clinical area. These study days are spread over the course of a year.

Find out more

Experienced Podiatrists

Welcome back

The Royal Devon can offer you fully-funded Return to Practice routes back into Podiatry. We’ll give you dedicated time to care, providing a bespoke support package to help you on your way. We'll guide you through the process of re-registering with the HCPC and empower you to achieve the required criteria.

Return to practice
Overseas

If you’re interested in bringing your skills to England, you’ve come to the right place. When you work with us, you’ll join our passionate team and enjoy job security, a competitive salary and flexible hours.

Overseas

Star iconCase study

Rosie Hitchcock Lead diabetes Link Podiatrist, Case Study
Rosie Hitchcock Lead diabetes Link Podiatrist, Case Study

I qualified as a Podiatrist after studying as a mature
student in 2010. Podiatrists are often the first point
of contact for our patients, offering personalised care
and assessments, as well as instigating investigations,
identifying and diagnosing conditions relating to the feet, and helping with rapid referrals. We perform neurological and vascular assessments to identify vascular disease and sensation issues. We are also wound care and offloading specialists, and we conduct gait analysis and biomechanics.

We work closely with other healthcare professionals such as the Vascular Team, Tissue Viability, and Orthotists. We often share care with Community Nurses and Practice Nurses and liaise with GPs to make sure that our patients receive the best care and treatment possible.

Podiatrists deliver essential care with accomplished skills, and I am proud of the positive impact Podiatry has, especially when it comes to saving limbs and preventing potential amputations.

What can I expect to get paid?

Agenda for change

Known as ‘Agenda for Change’, NHS pay is structured around different bandings for a fair and transparent pay structure. Levels of pay vary within each band according to experience. As your career develops, you can expect to earn more and move to the top of your pay banding before working your way up to the next one.

  • Healthcare Support Workers and Trainee Assistant Practitioners are usually within Bands 2 to 4
  • Registered Practitioners usually start within Band 5 or Band 6
  • Advanced Practitioners can advance all the way up to Band 7 and Band 8
Agenda for change

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Watch: working as a Podiatrist
Work flexibly

Work flexibly

Choose your shifts to suit your needs, apply to join our Staff Bank. 
We'll help you feel at home

We'll help you feel at home

We have a bespoke package of support, guidance and resources to help you get settled. 

Last updated: April 29, 2024

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