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I am a UK registered podiatrist. I have just moved to Florida, hence can no longer practice as a podiatrist. I have been trying to figure out what to do so that all my training and experience is not completely wasted.

I would really appreciate any comments/ideas from DPMs. After a lot of searching and a talk with a very nice lecturer at the University in Miami I have thought about trying the following... Are DPMs very opposed to the idea to have a UK registered pod do their routine maintenance foot care on their diabetic/high risk patients and therefore freeing up their time to do more complex stuff? I am so desperate that I am even looking into getting a nail tech license that would enable me to offer cosmetic procedures such as nail prosthesis. As far as I understood the DMP couldn't advertise me for medical pedicures. But there would be nothing stopping me from advertising pedicures done in a safe, clinical environment. I could even do a proper treatment i.e. debridement of callus under the DPMs "supervision". More patients for the DPM and work for me. So really both of us would win. How does that sound to all the DPMs out there?

 

I think you have some license problems here. Trimming calluses and nails on people with "class findings" (PAD, DM etc) would be practicing without a license. I don't believe the DPM can subrogate his license for you to do it "under his supervision". I suppose if a person ( can't call them a patient) who was healthy wanted Pedicurist type care you'd proabably even need a license to do that. I am sorry for your situation and hope you find an avenue. Teachers don't need licenses in Pod school if you're just doing general lectures. Maybe you could teach taping and pading or give a talk on a Podiatric area?? Maybe you could go to dpm school here with some advanced consieration? robert bijak,dpm

 

Just retrain into some other medical field you'll be much better off, use prior knowledge and skills and be better appreciated.

 

Interesting, you should do your homework, as in some states I have seen "podiatry assistants," (some who carry a degree, others who have no more than high school education), and even nurses that trim nails. Hiring an assistant to do this is allowable (under "supervision"), though once again it depends on where you are living.

 

Forgive me dwilliams, but it appears your forward planning was not exactly adequate? As you posted you were 'desperate', it sounds like you jumped in before you tested the water?

From other threads, I have learned the US Schools do not often grant any/many exemptions for non-US based Podiatric education (less income perhaps?). In any case, to be constructive (and like PommyPod advises), why not spend your days working as a pedicurist or similar and spend your evenings reinventing yourself with a JD/MBA/MIT etc or go the 'whole hog' and apply for an MD/DO program?

The 'profession' may not be of great use in the US, but your 'UG degree' may be leveraged into a new (appreciated and well paid) area?

Perhaps, as one idea, get an MBA (at night school) and market yourself to insurance/business/pharmaceuticals as a Podiatrist who has reinvented themselves as a Business consultant with medical knowledge? Still use the 'Podiatrist' moniker but since you are not practicing you are not in effect 'holding out' to be a practitioner....sort of like those medical-attorneys (Lawyers with a medical background).

Maybe this 'change of circumstance/life' could be a catalyst for great advancement? Try using what you 'have' not to be what you 'were', but something grander! I know myself, a reinvention can occur in just a year, you aren't throwing away something - rather 'leveraging' your experience/qualifications and knowledge to 'innovate/renovate' dwilliams the person.

Hope this helps...and good luck!