Can you think of a body part that’s under more stress than your feet? Probably not— and that’s why podiatrists train specifically to care for patients with all types of foot problems. Podiatrists are doctors who focus exclusively on foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. They examine and diagnose conditions, perform surgery, prescribe medications, and order imaging tests. Some of the common conditions they treat include corns, calluses, ingrown nails, shortened tendons, bunions, and cysts. They may perform surgery to reconstruct the foot and ankle, or specialize in areas such as sports medicine or pediatrics. They also see many patients with foot problems caused by diabetes. Most podiatrists work in podiatrists’ offices. Some work in group practices with physicians or specialists, and others in hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. They may work irregular hours and be on call for urgent cases. Podiatrists must complete at least 3 years of undergraduate training in basic sciences, and most have a bachelor’s degree. Next, they must complete 4 years of podiatry school. They are then required to complete a 3-year residency program, and must be licensed. It is often said that you can tell a lot about someone’s health by simply looking at their feet. This goes to show just how important podiatrists are for keeping patients healthy, active, and upright.
What they do:
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
On the job, you would:
Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
Health
medicine and dentistry
therapy and counseling
Business
customer service
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
understanding people's reactions
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
notice when problems happen
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Hand and Finger Use
put together small parts with your fingers
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Concern for Others
Persistence
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Medical software
Advantage Software Podiatry Advantage
Quick Notes PDQ Podiatry
Electronic mail software
Email software
post-doctoral training or doctoral degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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