What skills does a podiatry assistant need?

A podiatry assistant needs 28 essential skills including dermatology, orthopaedics, chiropody, administrative tasks in a medical environment, podiatric diseases. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace podiatry assistant jobs?

The AI disruption score for podiatry assistant is 25/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2269

podiatry assistant

Podiatry assistants help the podiatrist by carrying out supportive tasks such as assisting in diagnosing and treating the disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet, advising people on foot care techniques and the importance of foot care for promoting better mobility and general well-being. They also perform small tasks such as cutting toe nails, applying plasters and general clerical duties.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (28)

dermatologydermatologyDermatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.orthopaedicsorthopaedicsOrthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.chiropodychiropodyMedical practice dealing with disorders of the feet.administrative tasks in a medical environmentadministrative tasks in a medical environmentThe medical administrative tasks such as registration of patients, appointment systems, record keeping of patients information and repeated precribing.podiatric diseasespodiatric diseasesField of information which distinguishes different kinds of podiatric diseases and disorders regarding foot problems, injuries and maladies, and how to treat them by using conservative and surgical op...orthopaedic treatment alternativesorthopaedic treatment alternativesThe appropriate available non-operative and operative treatment alternatives for common orthopaedic conditions and injuries, the benefits and limitations of each type of treatment as well as any poten...health records managementhealth records managementThe procedures and importance of record keeping in a healthcare system such as hospitals or clinics, the information systems used to keep and process records and how to achieve maximum accuracy of rec...foot problemsfoot problemsConditions and disorders affecting the health and well being of feet such as fungal infections, ingrown nails, verrucas, smelly feet, flat feet and bunions.orthopaedic conditionsorthopaedic conditionsThe physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and natural history of common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.types of orthopedic suppliestypes of orthopedic suppliesVarious types of orthopaedic supplies such as braces and arm supports, used for physical therapy or physical rehabilitation.clinical codingclinical codingThe matching of clinical statements with standard codes of illnesses and treatments through use of a classification system.podiatric surgerypodiatric surgeryThe surgical specialty used to treat conditions and deformities of the feet such as tendon, heel and hammer toe surgery.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.provide footwear advice to patientsprovide footwear advice to patientsInform patients on the types of footwear available and suitable for their feet conditions or disorders to increase foot well being.recommend orthotic devicesrecommend orthotic devicesSuggest patients to use tailor-made insoles, padding and arch supports to relieve feet pain.record treated patient's informationrecord treated patient's informationRecord information accurately relating to the progress of the patient during therapy sessions.provide medication informationprovide medication informationProvide patients with information about their medication, possible side effects, and contra-indications.treat patients' nailstreat patients' nailsUse a nail drill to reduce thickening toenails and remove debris from their sulci by inserting nail packs.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.promote foot healthpromote foot healthProvide information and guidance on means to keep one's feet healthy by wearing appropriate footwear or avoiding unhealthy practices such as fungal infections.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.shape nailsshape nailsShape nails by cutting and smoothening the ends of the nails, with the use of files, scissors or emery boards.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...collect healthcare user data under supervisioncollect healthcare user data under supervisionCollect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's physical, psychological, emotional and social status and functional ability within set parameters, monitoring healthcare user...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.perform clinical coding proceduresperform clinical coding proceduresMatch and record correctly the specific illnesses and treatments of a patient by using a clinical codes classification system.maintain medical devicesmaintain medical devicesEnsure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.

Optional (27)

microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.surgical asepsissurgical asepsisThe way to keep equipment and surfaces sterile to prevent infections during medical care.kineticskineticsThe study of movement and its causes.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.sterilization techniquessterilization techniquesThe methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.health care systemhealth care systemThe structure and function of health care services.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...contribute to quality physiotherapy servicescontribute to quality physiotherapy servicesParticipate in activities that promote quality, particularly in the acquisition and evaluation of equipment, resources, safe storage and supply management.place orders for orthopedic productsplace orders for orthopedic productsOrder specialised orthopaedic materials and supplies for the store; maintain the company stock.carry out wound carecarry out wound careCleanse, irrigate, probe, debride, pack and dress wounds.obtain healthcare user's medical status informationobtain healthcare user's medical status informationGather healthcare user information through various sources such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social statu...analyse X-ray imageryanalyse X-ray imageryAnalyse X-ray imagery in order to locate the sources of patients` difficulties and interpret the findings.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.treat nailstreat nailsWrap nails to repair them or make them stronger and more resilient. Soften, trim or push back nail cuticles and provide treatment to people who bite their nails.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.process medical insurance claimsprocess medical insurance claimsContact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.conduct podiatry consultationconduct podiatry consultationAsses the condition of the patient`s feet by cutting his/hers toenails, removing any hard skin and checking for corns, calluses or verrucas and decide on a diagnosis.send samples to laboratorysend samples to laboratoryForward collected samples to the concerned laboratory, following strict procedures related to the labeling and tracking of the information on the samples.discuss the medical history of the healthcare userdiscuss the medical history of the healthcare userAsk the healthcare user about his medical condition and physical well-being and the desired results to be achieved through the suggested therapy and follow the prescribed treatment.recommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their conditionrecommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their conditionRecommend and provide advice on orthopaedic goods and pieces of equipment such as braces, slings or elbow supports. Provide individual advice depending on customer's specific condition and needs.apply foot castsapply foot castsOrder, and cover patients' legs, ankles and feet with foot casts and walking braces. These protect and support the lower leg and foot following fractures or injuries and reduce injury healing time.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.monitor basic patients signsmonitor basic patients signsMonitor and analyse basic patient vital signs as vital signs of heart, respiration, and blood pressure. Take action by reporting them to the nurse.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.apply wound dressingsapply wound dressingsSelect and apply the appropriate wound dressings, such as liquid or spray occlusive materials, absorbent material or immobilising dressing, according to the surgical procedure undertaken.