Has anyone retrained to be a foot care health practitioner?

[nannyj]

I was speaking to a lady yesterday who originally trained as a chiropodist and she recommended I take a course to be a foot care practitioner. She said she has to turn clients away because she's so busy. I'm a single mum on minimum wage at the moment and rely heavily on tax credits and need to find a career that will not cost too much to retrain in and not take too long as I'm not very young .

I was just wondering if anyone else has done the distance learning course and practical course and is actually working now?

Thanks

Podwoman888 I have done all of that. Agency nursing is incredibly stressful..I did it for a few years alongside a fulltime job and also a part time job. I am looking for work/life balance and will probably keep my hand in with nursing.

Yes the podiatrist is registered.

By safely I mean without causing any on going problem such as ingrowing toenails. Also it would be good to know what conditions require gp attention, whether to wear a mask, how to use the tools, where to buy tools and so on. It looks like a short course would be enough for simple toenail care which is what I want to do.

Morag have a look online. Stoneybridge. Smae etc

Doobydoo,
If you already have your nursing qualification you could work p/t and cut your working hours that way? There is a terrific shortage of nurses and they are always wanting 'bank' staff.
I am very curious about this FHP you mention who charges £25 per person, as that seems a high fee, unless you are in the London area/SE? Most FHPs working in nursing homes charge a lot less than that - less than £15 and in the NW about £10.00.
Have you 'shadowed' an FHP to see what they actually do?

Podwoman..£25 is a lot. Round here it seems to be between £15 and £25. I do watch the one tgat comes to where I work but only briefly as I am busy. Good idea re shadowing though! I do work part time at peesent and can pick up e tra shifts. I have had enough of nursing.

Excuse typos

Moragb101,
If you just want to do simple nail-cutting there are plenty of courses about that will give you the skills and teach you about contraindications and referrals ; www.gatewayworkshops.co.uk/beauty_courses/manicure-and-pedicure-courses/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwp5_qBRDBARIsANxdcilmEL-gion6oho0HSAxbjMl8aAPk_4iFy79yMbn-R1iqDaK5_ck6mYaAhaFEALw_wcB

If your relative is having probablems with the Podiatrist that they have and they are HCPC registered, then you can report them to the HCPC Fitness to Practice Dept,

www.hcpc-uk.org/concerns/raising-concerns/

Doobydoo,
You say that you want to 'keep your hand in with nursing' while working as a FHP.which is commendable, as we always need nurses.
However, you will have the same set-up costs for starting a business as an FHP p/t as you will for working f/t. so the fewer hours you work the longer it will take you to pay off your start-up costs.

It is very important to research the market and see what the potential demand could be for your services. That's why I suggested shadowing an established FHP to se what the business entails. There is much 'behind the scenes' work required before you lift a pair of nail clippers.

You seem to indicate that you wish to work in nursing homes. My advice to you is -don't-. The pay is often derisery(care homes always want the cheapest option), there are never enough staff to help you, and some residents are in bed which makes the work back-breaking.

Most homes don't have a dedicated medical room so it's either the communal lounge (not private) or residents' rooms, which means packing and unpacking your case 8x.

Mrs Jones hasn't got any money in her account this week because the relatives haven't left any, so can you call back for it? Or can you send an invoice? - and then you wait 6 weeks to get paid.
Residents, sadly, have the habit of dying and then you have to wait to get paid because you can't harrass the bereaved relatives. Sometimes you don't get paid at all.

99% of the patients are high risk because of age and infirmity and most have polypharmacy or peripheral vascular disease or both. They ulcerate or develop lesions at the drop of a hat. You will be practising as an FHP not a nurse so you won't be able to treat them.

Personally, I would concentrate on general visits to start with. You can charge 3x the price for care-home work and have 1/3rd of the hassle.

Podwoman888 Thank you for your advice. I shall definitely be taking it on board and I have come across some of the scenarios you have mentioned! Thank you again.

Regarding SMAE - they say on their website that as an FHP the minimum you can expect to earn for a half hour treatment session is £35. I really don't know how they arrive at this figure. When you are first qualified you'll be spending an hour hands-on (and then you need to factor in the travelling time).
Then you'll have 'dead' time where you'll be working at the business but not earning eg decontaminating and sterilizing instruments, writing up your books, ordering stock, filing laundering your uniform etc.
I suggest yuo contact whoever you want to train with and ask them about set-up costs - they may provide finance - and what are the minimum requirements in terms of equipment.
I would also advise anyone going down this route to make a Business Plan and work out your potential prices. a break-even analysis, and a cash flow forecast. In addition you'll need to look at what your USP is (unique selling point) and how you will market it.
Now the new GDPR regulations have come into force that's another piece of legislation you'll need to get to grips with.
Unless you're good with figures or have a qualification in Business Studies I'd take advice from an accountant.
As a rule of thumb, starting a practice from scratch can take a year to generate one full days work a week.

There have been no more posts on this thread since I last posted so I just wondered how members were getting on with their journey into the self-employed sector and whether any had actually signed up for any training programmes?

@Doobydoo, I'm in the same boat as you, a nurse, looking at footcare also and had also researched that course in SMAE for practically the same reason as you because they are accredited. However, I have been slow to commit to it as I am constantly wondering if it will be the right thing to do.
Just wondering if you are currently doing the course and how are you getting on with it?

Hello Devonash..I am now on the course. It is alright. Have 12 essays to write on various subjects from knee to heart etc! Online multi choice questions before they send next module. Plenty of support if required. It is about managing your time really and not procrastinating! Also getting back in to referencing and all that sort of thing. There is a 2 week practical when all essays are passed which I am looking forward to. Thry say can take a year to 18months but can be sooner depending on the individual's situation etc. I need to start putting more feelers out for work really when course is completed. I will contine to nurse alongside it and see how it goes. I am just relieved thatI may be able to get out of nursing or reduce it significantly. I have had enough!

I am a Podiatrist.
I was directed to this thread by a collegue and am curious to know the type of training you are doing, particularly the practical side.
I would be curious to know what your actual scope of practice will be?
How competent do you think you will be when you have only done 2 weeks practical training? Did you actually shadow a Pod or an FHP to get experience with running a business, as was suggested?
May I suggest that before you star "putting feelers out for work" that you get your referral pathways set up for those patients that fall beyond your remit as an FHP and cultivate relationships with local Pods who can help you.
Just a suggestion to make your '"lone working" easier - self-employment as a sole trader can be a very lonely place.

I am a qualified FHP via the SMAE and I can assure you that I work fully within my remit and not beyond my scope of practice.

I have a family member who is a POD who I an able to seek advice from and refer to if necessary.

I personally feel I offer a very good professional service to lots of people who would otherwise struggle to obtain treatment.. by this I mean most of my patients are elderly and cannot get into the local clinics for various reasons so the home treatment I offer is invaluable.

I understand totally how some PODS feel we are not worth anything as I appreciate they have studied and completed a degree however.. with the ever growing population and increase in diabetes coupled with the fact alot of PODs do not do domicillary work and are only clinic based there IS a place for us!

I sterilize my instruments and keep a record of each cycle and take full notes of everyone I see. In my area you can expect to pay anything from £28-40 for an FHP visit. A clinic appointment in some clinics in my area is double that and is quite frankly out of some peoples finances.

You can earn good money doing this job if like anything you work at it and you provide a good professional service.

And just as an add on...I do offload and use paddings etc so we are not all cut and rebookers... I also undertake voluntary CPD regularly and keep up to date on as much as possible!

Good luck to anyone wishing to do the course...its not an easy course or career but it does pay off if you work hard!

Oh and for anyone who might be interested.. the NHS now recognise FHP's and are now employing them. I have seen several jobs advertised on the NHS job page in my area.

I am interested in your posts. You say that you 'work within your remit', so can you say where the public can see your Scope of Practice.

I think you are mistaken about the NHS recognising FHPs and employing them. The NHS has it's own training programme for Podiatry Assistants who work under the supervision of a Pod.
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/podiatry-assistant

My website makes it very clear what services I offer and I am always very clear to my patients if something is beyond my skill set.

I have seen the jobs advertised with my own eyes so I am not mistaken. Whilst I was training we all read the job ad and discussed it at length with some people in my group expressing interest and others like myself wanting to be self employed.

I do not feel like I have to justify myself at all. I work hard, I am conscientious, I undertake voluntary CPD, I am registered, insured and fully DBS checked.

The NHS and PODs in my area cannot keep up with the demand. Patients in my area can expect to wait 12-14 weeks for an apt with a POD. I also work alongside a POD who says my work is invaluable 😊👣

LFC, I wasn't asking you to 'justify yourself', and you seem rather defensive in your response.
It is all very well saying that you do not exceed your remit, but when no-one knows what that is the statement is pretty meaningless!
Incidently the remit for Pods is available publically to anyone and it can be seen here www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/chiropodists-podiatrists/
I asked you to tell me where anyone who wanted to seek the services of an FHP could view your particular Scope of Practice (and this was a genuine query BTW)and you seem unable to show the Remit that you say you adhere to, which is a bit strange.

Can you direct me to where you saw the FHP post advertised in the NHS? I have worked in the NHS for 25 years (part of that time in charge of a Podiatry Dept) and have never yet seen such a post advertised. FHPs are trained to be stand-alone practitioners working in IPP. I do not know any private training organisation that supplies FHPs to the NHS as FHPs do not have a recognised standard of training that is recognised by the NHS.

You say "patients in my area can expect to wait 12-14 weeks for an apt with a POD. "
But you do not say if this is a private or NHS Pod so and I'm taking that statement with a pinch of salt.
No private pod will have patients waiting 12 weeks as they'd just go elsewhere.
The NHS has a triage system to decide who should be in receipt of NHS services. No-one who has a high-risk foot will have to wait 12 weeks ever www.sth.nhs.uk/clientfiles/File/podiatry%20referral%20form%20march%202018.pdf

I have no doubt the Pod you work with will say that your "work is invaluable." as she can direct the 'social foot care' such as nail-cutting to you, which will free her up to earn the 'heavy' money by supplying orthotics, performing gait scans, nail surgery, shoe modifications and selling POMs (prescription only medicine)

I forgot to mention injection therapies - prolotherapy for soft tissue injuries, Ostenil Plus (TM) for osteoarthritis and corticosteroid injections for painful joints.
Pods usually charge £95 - £350 per injection.
That is why should anyone has an interest in feet and lower limb medicine it's better to train to be a Pod, to have access to an extended Scope of Practice, more challenge and variety ( and the ability to command a salary that can enable a better work/life balance.

I am not being defensive..just maybe a tad frustrated.

A simple Google search provides the definition of a Foot Health Practioner, including an explanation on the Institute for Chiropody and Podiatry website. You can also find quite easily a register of FHPs.

I make it quite clear on my website that I offer routine foot health, I am unable to perform any surgical procedures or prescribe any medicaments for example and my patients know they will be referred for anything I am unable to do..such as orthotics.

And yes..you are quite correct in saying that the POD I work with does all the more exciting stuff 💁‍♀️ She is qualified to do those things and I am not. But by us working together she has the time for those things as let's be honest...if you can earn the figures you have mentioned above.. would you then go out and drive 10 miles to see a patient so severely disabled they cannot leave the house to do a simple CNF for under £40? Probably not...but I did today!

If there were no FHP's who would see those patients?

And yep..I can absolutely guarantee that some patients have come to me because they cannot wait 12-14 weeks for a private POD appointment for a routine foot appointment.

The POD I work with is lovely. She treats me with respect and is so good at sharing her knowledge. She encourages me daily and appreciates the benefits it can bring. She doesnt employ me..I am self employed but we send patients to each other as needed and I think if more PODs took FHPs under their wings and helped/guided them then it can only serve to improve the Foot Health Industry all round 😊

CFC,
I don't wish to sound obtuse here here but have problems following your logic.

You say you trained with SMAE, which is fine, but then when I ask where I can see your scope of practice you refer me to either a Google search or the Institute of Chiropody & Podiatry website. Where is your training body, the SMAE Scope of Practice in all this?

The SMAE website says quite clearly that you should expect to be earning £35 for a half hour session, so if that not happening for you perhaps you need to think what you need to do to achieve that level of remuneration?

You quote the instance about seeing a patient so severely disabled they cannot leave the house who needs a CNF. I assume you mean (cut & nail file ?) If it really a CNF then relatives/friends could do this.

However, sadly, serious disabilities do not come alone and the patient with disabilities may have other co-morbidities that need the intervention of a Podiatrist and the patient should approach their NHS Trust to see what help is available.

12/14 weeks for a routine appointment is quite normal for the 70/80 yo group. It would, of course, depend a great deal on the presetning conditions.

You say “I think that if more Pods took FHPs under their wings and helped/guided them it would help the Foot Industry all round.”

I fail to follow your logic. FHPs are trained to be stand-alone practitoners working in the private sector. They take courses that are supposed to give them all the necessary skills to be autonomous sucessful practitioners in the Priavte Sector, so why would they want to be 'guided by a Pod' ??

Just curious.

Has anyone done Foot health practitioner course from Stonebridge? I just started with them.
Is anyone doing this course. Need some advice

Shallu,
If you are studying with Stonebridge then you should have full on-line tutor support, as this is what you are paying for.
May I suggest you raise you query with your personal tutor as they are probably best-placed to answer your particular query?
HTH

Hi Kathleen
Yes I have spoke to them, but just was little concerned and wanted to know if anyone else trained with them and found a job straight after.
Wants to change my career.