What Do Podiatrists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Podiatrists diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot. They also surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
• Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
• Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
• Make and fit prosthetic appliances.

We asked Podiatrists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Podiatrists advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems. They treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.

A typical day for a Podiatrist will also include:

• 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.
• Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
• Treat deformities using mechanical methods, such as whirlpool or paraffin baths, and electrical methods, such as short wave and low voltage currents.
• Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.

We asked some Podiatrists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	44% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	77% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	67% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	83% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Podiatrists also make and fit prosthetic appliances. They may also refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Podiatrists Perform administrative duties, such as hiring employees, ordering supplies, or keeping records. They might also Correct deformities by means of plaster casts and strapping.

In addition, they Educate the public about the benefits of foot care through techniques such as speaking engagements, advertising, and other forums.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.

To some Podiatrists, it is also their responsibility to Treat deformities using mechanical methods, such as whirlpool or paraffin baths, and electrical methods, such as short wave and low voltage currents.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Podiatrist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/podiatrists.htm

http://www.apma.org/

http://www.aacpm.org/

http://apmle.com/