Typical Career Progression
|
|
Position
|
Salary
|
Experience
|
Education
|
|
Start position
|
Graduate |
$40k - $50k |
0 to 2 years |
Undergraduate
|
|
1st Promotion
|
Chief Podiatrist |
$70k - $90k |
2 to 5 years
|
Undergraduate |
|
2nd Promotion
|
Private Practice
|
$90k - $100k
|
5+ years
|
Undergraduate
|
|
3rd Promotion
|
Partner in Practice
|
$100k - $150k +
|
5+ years |
Postgraduate |
|
4th Promotion
|
Specialist
|
$100k - $150k +
|
10 + years
|
Postgraduate
|
| d Promotion |
Podiatric Surgeon
|
$180k - $250k + |
10 + years |
Postgraduate |
**The above table should be used as a guide only and will depend on your place of employment and award specified in your Employment Contract.
Typical Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Graduate
|
Provides clinical care, works within a team, educates customers and patients about foot care, maintains and improves knowledge and skills, and builds links with healthcare professionals. |
|
Chief Podiatrist
|
Provides high quality podiatry services and education to patients. Responsible for an efficient, well-managed, cost effective department. Manages staff, ensuring all are motivated, well-educated, and committed to their roles.
|
|
Private Practice
|
Provides high quality podiatric care, assesses and treats patients, prescribes and sells orthotics, and works as a member of the private practice team. |
|
Partner in Practice
|
Provides high quality podiatric care, assesses and treats patients, prescribes and sells orthotics, manages accounts, works with partner to determine objectives, solutions, and practice, and hires and manages staff.
|
Specialist
|
Provides podiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in a specialist area such as children, sports, diabetes, or gerontology. |
| Podiatric Surgeon |
Performs podiatric surgery, such as correction of hammertoes and digital deformities, ingrown toenail correction, heel spur resection, cyst and tumour excision, ligament repair, tendon lengthening, repair and transfer, among other medical conditions of the foot. |
**The above table should be used as a guide only
Career Path Options
As a podiatrist you will find plenty of work in the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and disorders of the feet and lower limb. With a current shortage in Australia, podiatrists are in high demand. You work closely with other health professionals in both the private and public health systems as well as in private practice, hospitals, community centres, sports clinics and industry.
Podiatrists may specialise in children, the aged or sports people. They may also work in a particular area such as occupational health, or with general medical conditions that result in problems of the feet and legs. Post graduate studies are required if you wish to focus on research, teaching or further training as a podiatric surgeon.
Buying an existing practice can be expensive but a good start to your own business as will gaining some experience operating a podiatry practice. Income also depends on how many hours you wish to work and on your scheduled fees. The more specialized and experienced you become, along with working long hours the more income you can generate. A successful sole trader can earn $150,000 (gross) or more - minus expenses. There is a lot of capital outlay in any small business.
About the Author
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Gillian Travers
The author of this occupation profile is a highly respected within industry but due to time commitments has a little more work to do to complete the profile. Please check back over the next two weeks
Did you know that the average person walks about 10,000 steps a day and that during a lifetime it is thought that a person has walked enough steps top have traveled around the planet more than 4 times?