Profession podiatry assistant

Podiatry assistants help the podiatrist by carrying out supportive tasks such as assisting in diagnosing and treating the disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet, advising people on foot care techniques and the importance of foot care for promoting better mobility and general well-being. They also perform small tasks such as cutting toe nails, applying plasters and general clerical duties.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Podiatric surgery

    The surgical specialty used to treat conditions and deformities of the feet such as tendon, heel and hammer toe surgery.

  • Foot problems

    Conditions and disorders affecting the health and well being of feet such as fungal infections, ingrown nails, verrucas, smelly feet, flat feet and bunions.

  • Orthopaedic conditions

    The physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and natural history of common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.

  • Administrative tasks in a medical environment

    The medical administrative tasks such as registration of patients, appointment systems, record keeping of patients information and repeated precribing.

  • Dermatology

    Dermatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

  • Podiatric diseases

    Field of information which distinguishes different kinds of podiatric diseases and disorders regarding foot problems, injuries and maladies, and how to treat them by using conservative and surgical options.

  • Chiropody

    Medical practice dealing with disorders of the feet.

  • Health records management

    The procedures and importance of record keeping in a healthcare system such as hospitals or clinics, the information systems used to keep and process records and how to achieve maximum accuracy of records.

  • Orthopaedic treatment alternatives

    The appropriate available non-operative and operative treatment alternatives for common orthopaedic conditions and injuries, the benefits and limitations of each type of treatment as well as any potential side effects or complications of the treatment.

  • Clinical coding

    The matching of clinical statements with standard codes of illnesses and treatments through use of a classification system.

  • Types of orthopedic supplies

    Various types of orthopaedic supplies such as braces and arm supports, used for physical therapy or physical rehabilitation.

  • Orthopaedics

    Orthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

Skills

  • Shape nails

    Shape nails by cutting and smoothening the ends of the nails, with the use of files, scissors or emery boards.

  • Provide medication information

    Provide patients with information about their medication, possible side effects, and contra-indications.

  • Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

    Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

  • Collect healthcare user data under supervision

    Collect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's physical, psychological, emotional and social status and functional ability within set parameters, monitoring healthcare user's responses and status during the performance of assigned measures/tests and taking appropriate action, including reporting the findings to the physiotherapist.

  • Perform clinical coding procedures

    Match and record correctly the specific illnesses and treatments of a patient by using a clinical codes classification system.

  • Communicate effectively in healthcare

    Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

  • Respond to changing situations in health care

    Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

  • Promote foot health

    Provide information and guidance on means to keep ones feet healthy by wearing appropriate footwear or avoiding unhealthy practices such as fungal infections.

  • Record treated patient's information

    Record information accurately relating to the progress of the patient during therapy sessions.

  • Recommend orthotic devices

    Suggest patients to use tailor-made insoles, padding and arch supports to relieve feet pain.

  • Provide footwear advice to patients

    Inform patients on the types of footwear available and suitable for their feet conditions or disorders to increase foot well being.

  • Follow clinical guidelines

    Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

  • Treat patients' nails

    Use a nail drill to reduce thickening toenails and remove debris from their sulci by inserting nail packs.

  • Advise on healthcare users' informed consent

    Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.

  • Develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship

    Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.

  • Maintain medical devices

    Ensure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.

  • Ensure safety of healthcare users

    Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

Optional knowledge and skills

ensure proper appointment administration obtain healthcare user's medical status information pharmacology work in a multicultural environment in health care monitor stock level send medical samples monitor patient's vital signs administer appointments health care system medical terminology microbiology-bacteriology surgical asepsis apply foot casts treat nails recommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their condition work in multidisciplinary health teams sterilization techniques place orders for orthopedic products apply wound dressings human anatomy analyse x-ray imagery kinetics process medical insurance claims carry out wound care provide health education employ foreign languages in care contribute to quality physiotherapy services discuss the medical history of the healthcare user conduct podiatry consultation

Source: Sisyphus ODB