You could do a college course to help you to become a podiatry assistant. 

Most health and social care courses include work placements and this can be a good way of getting experience.

You could do a Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Health and Care Professions or a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

You could do a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which has a training option for podiatry assistants.

When recruiting, employers might choose apprentices who have experience as a support worker.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could then move into podiatry through training and promotion.

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.

You can apply directly for podiatry assistant roles if you've got relevant skills and experience.

You might need a qualification in a health related subject and experience of working with people.

You could be self employed and provide foot care to the general public, rather than in the NHS.

You'll need to take a Diploma in Foot Health Practice. 

You'll then need to become a member of The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners and work as a foot health practitioner.

You'll need:

• knowledge of how the human body works
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You might need a driving licence and access to your own transport to visit clients in their own home.

As a podiatry assistant you could:

• make appointments and get patients ready for treatment
• support podiatrists during a procedure
• treat patients who have already been assessed
• cut toenails and apply dressings
• give advice on foot and nail care, particularly for patients with diabetes

You could work at a health centre, at a client's home, in an NHS or private hospital or at a GP practice.

You may need to wear a uniform.