A Podiatrist, or Chiropodist, diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the foot and ankle, such as arch problems, bunions, corns, hammertoes, warts, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, ulcers and cysts. Duties typically featured on a Podiatrist job description include conducting patient examinations, maintaining accurate patient records and prescribing, administering and performing treatments and procedures.
A Podiatrist should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Podiatrist should be able to execute:
- Interviewing patients to gain an understanding of their symptoms
- Conducting examinations of the feet and ankles
- Ordering tests, such as X-rays, to diagnose conditions
- Diagnosing foot and ankle problems and developing treatment plans to address, cure or ease them
- Performing procedures to treat conditions affecting the feet and ankles
- Explaining the risks and benefits of treatments to patients
A competitive Podiatrist will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- Deep understanding of the anatomy of the foot and ankle and conditions that affect it
- Ability to utilize tools to examine and treat conditions of the foot and ankle
- Knowledge of the latest standards of care and best practices for podiatric medicine
- Oral communication skills to communicate effectively with patients and other members of the care team
- Attentiveness to detail to maintain accurate records and reduce the risk of medical errors
- Strong interpersonal skills to reduce anxiety and fear in patients of all ages
