http://www.bigextracash.com/aft/8bbd50bb.html Podiatrist: Job description and activities
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Job description
A podiatrist, also known as a chiropodist assesses, diagnoses and treats problems of the foot and lower leg below the knee. Their specialist skills are also focused on tending minor infections, ailments, defects and injuries, as well as foot and nail conditions relating to other major health disorders, e.g. diabetes. Podiatrists also provide preventative care and advice to patients and community groups.
The title podiatrist has replaced the title chiropodist, although both terms are interchangeable when talking about the profession. Since 2003 both 'podiatrist' and 'chiropodist' have been protected titles and anyone wishing to practise under either title must register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) .
Typical work activities
Podiatrists offer short-term treatment for the relief of painful symptoms of dermatological and other foot-related problems, including hard skin, corns and calluses, verrucae (warts), in-growing nails, fungal infections and bunions.http://www.bigextracash.com/aft/8bbd50bb.html
Treatment regimes provided by podiatrists include ointments and non-prescription medication for minor conditions. For more intense problems and deformities, solutions include the prescription of orthoses, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, ultrasonics, specialised dressings and exercise therapies.
Typical work activities include:
§ providing vascular and neurological assessment in the long-term management of chronic disorders and specialist high risk patient groups such as the elderly and those suffering from conditions where the possibility of amputation must be minimised;
§ treating ulcers, providing wound management, advice and referral as appropriate;
§ using therapeutic techniques, such as carrying out minor nail and soft tissue surgery using local anaesthesia;
§ prescribing, producing and fitting orthotics and other aids and appliances;
§ delivering foot health education, particularly to more vulnerable social groups including the homeless, the elderly, children and those with general medical problems, such as osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis;
§ working closely with other medical practitioners, such as doctors, nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists and complementary practitioners in the provision of multidisciplinary team delivery of healthcare;
§ using a range of equipment, such as surgical instruments, dressings, treatment tables, orthotic (inner sole) materials, lasers, grinders and shaping equipment for making orthotics, X-ray and video gait-analysis equipment (consisting of a running machine and video camera that allows a frame-by-frame analysis of patients' walking or running problems).