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Working as a Foot Health Practitioner as a Podiatry student?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by StudentPod89, Dec 9, 2014.

  1. StudentPod89

    StudentPod89 Welcome New Poster


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    Hi there, firstly just to say what a great forum this is :)

    I am currently a second year podiatry student. I do some basic foot care/nail cutting for friends and family and recently a few have told me they would be happy to recommend me to friends, neighbours and the like for me to treat them too, and asked me what would I charge for that.

    I have been very hesitant in answering as I have no idea of the legalities of practicing as, would I would assume to be, a Foot Health Practitioner until I qualify as a podiatrist in 2016.

    I know people who have done the foot health course and it seems fairly basic compared to what I have studied so far and the patients I have treated so doesn't seem unreasonable for me to think I have the skills to do basic footcare but am just worried because I have no actual qualification to show this yet. I realise that I would need insurance as well.

    Basically I am not sure if I am being very over cautious or that I am correct in thinking I would need to have some kind of footcare qualification to do this. If anyone could shed some light for me it would be very appreciated :eek:
     
  2. Ian Linane

    Ian Linane Well-Known Member

    The safest and most sensible advice would be to ask your tutors what your education establishments position on this is. That should solve any question marks of where you stand legally or insurance wise.
     
  3. Simon Ross

    Simon Ross Active Member

    Ian,

    you took the words right out of my mouth! also, if the OP is a student member of SCP. then ask SCP! they will be only too happy to advise!
     
  4. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    There is nothing whatsoever to legally stop you acting as an FHP (or any other non-reserved title). However, you would be very unwise to do so without proper insurance - and you may find that you make yourself very unpopular in certain circles!

    Bill Liggins
     
  5. StudentPod89

    StudentPod89 Welcome New Poster

    Thanks for the advice, I will ask my tutor and also call the SCP.

    Hi Bill, can I ask why it could make me unpopular in certain circles? Do you mean because it could be seen as me taking work from qualified podiatrists? This is something I of course would not want to happen. Maybe it would be best for me to just point people in the direction of local pods and wait until I am fully qualified. :)
     
  6. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    Yes, all of that. In addition, should you later wish to join the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, I understand that they take a dim view of students acting as FHPs. However, since I am not a member of that organisation, I must not speak for them - doubtless they will speak for themselves.

    Bill Liggins
     
  7. evh59

    evh59 Member

    Hi,

    When i used to work in a NHS Trust we used to have some podiatry students working as Podiatry assistants or Footcare assistants. Gets you known in your local trust and can help with future employment. So it might be worth a letter or CV to your local dept to see if they are taking on bank staff.

    Unsure if that still happens, but the students used to get a lot out of it.

    Best Wishes

    Edd:santa:
     
  8. podinwaiting

    podinwaiting Welcome New Poster

    Hi

    Ive been a fhp for 8 years and have finally been able to start my pod degree this year. As i have got my insurance in place i continue to work alongside my studies. I would assume that as long as you have insurance and preferably a member of a professional body, you should be able to do basic foot care.... that being said, its probably best to talk to a higher authority...
     
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