Podiatry

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Undergraduate Degree

Faculty of Health

Description

Podiatrists are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and management of debilitating conditions affecting the feet  and lower limbs including sports and overuse injuries,  skin and nail disorders,  neurological and circulatory conditions, foot and leg pain in children and management  of  foot problems associated with systemic disease such as  diabetes.  The main focus of a podiatrist is to assess and diagnose conditions of the foot and lower limb, design therapeutic treatment care plans and to implement preventative health programs.

The study of podiatry provides the opportunity to gain an understanding of podiatric medicine combined with human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Substantial clinical experience is gained through a variety of health settings in local, national and mandatory rural area placements.  Case-based learning and innovative educational strategies are used to integrate clinical practice with relevant sciences. 

Graduates are provided with knowledge and skills to practice as a podiatrist and are eligible for registration with the Podiatry Board of Australia, and are able to seek employment anywhere in Australia and are eligible for registration is some other countries including the United Kingdom.  Opportunities are available in hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health centres, outpatient clinics, private practices, aged care, management positions and teaching and research.

The Bachelor of Podiatry is offered as a three year full-time degree at the Central Coast Campus based at Ourimbah.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/program/11692.html

 

View our Bachelor of Podiatry in the Program Handbook and the online prospectus What Can I Study?.

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Further Study

Higher levels of completed study beyond the Bachelor of Podiatry degree are available for students wishing to enter specialist areas of Podiatric practice such as Podiatric Surgery of teaching and research, and for this reason it is worthwhile considering the range of Honours, Research Higher Degrees (RHD), Postgraduate Coursework and additional study options available. These options may also be useful for specialising in a particular area, or to stimulate career change. Some of the future options following a Podiatry degree include:

Honours:

Honoursis a one year stand-alone program, completed after successfully fulfilling the requirements of the undergraduate degree

Postgraduate Study:

Masters
PhD

Course Work

After completing a degree there are a broad range of postgraduate options available in a variety of fields which can allow you to specialise in a particular area of interest or build upon your existing knowledge base. To explore such options please visit the Postgraduate Handbook at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/program/postgraduate/

 

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Sample Jobs

The sample job titles listed include a range of opportunities for graduates at degree, honours and postgraduate study levels.

Getting the Edge

Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.

  1. skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
  2. Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
  3. Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
  4. Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
  5. Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
  6. Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
  7. Consider volunteering.

Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.

 

Getting the Edge

Most employers seek to recruit people who have relevant work experience and an appreciation for their industry. Here is a check list of ideas about gaining experience and industry knowledge.

  1. Check the type of experience most employers in your field of interest expect. Don’t overlook the part time work you may be currently doing. Most employers understand that the skills are transferrable even if the work is not in their industry.
  2. Check your academic program for any courses that involve a placement or the opportunity to undertake an industry based project.
  3. Check your school for Summer Scholarships for research opportunities.
  4. Check vacancy sites for advertised traineeships, part time employment and vacation work opportunities in your field.
  5. Source and approach organisations directly about possible work shadowing or information interview opportunities.
  6. Source and approach organisations directly for paid work opportunities.
  7. Consider volunteering.

Note: Gaining experience may be important but not at the expense of your studies. Make sure you do not overload your timetable with unrealistic work commitments.

 

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Sample Employers

Opportunities for registered podiatrists exist in a range of private and public areas including hospitals, clinics, private practices and research settings.

Recruitment Timing

Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.

Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service.

 

Recruitment Timing

Some large organisations have specific graduate recruitment programs designed to employ the pick of graduates each year. You must be in your final year of study or recently completed to apply for these programs. The timing of these recruitment drives varies and may occur at any point in the academic year, in some cases starting as early as the first few weeks of the first semester or trimester.

Find out if employers in your area/s of interest have graduate programs, when they typically recruit and what recruitment methods they use. Check with the Careers Service .

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Societies and Associations

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.

Associations and societies often provide relevant and up to date information about a variety of issues relating to specific industry sectors. These can be a good starting point to learn more about occupations through profiles, industry news, links to academic journals and information on research developments. Many also offer student membership, conference and professional development activities, newsletters and the opportunity to participate in projects.

Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.


Don’t overlook student societies and associations. As well as student chapters of professional associations, some faculties or schools have discipline based student associations. Check your school or faculty web site; perhaps you might start one if one doesn’t exist.

Some academic disciplines run Seminar Programs that involve regular seminars presented by University of Newcastle academics, visiting academics and postgraduate students. Check your schools website for the timetable.

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Job Search Sites

Searching job sites is a good way to gain an understanding of: industries recruiting professionals in this field; types of roles and the requirements or expectations of employers for these roles. There are many online job search sites, here are a few to start with:

Australian and International

  • CareerHub: the University of Newcastle Careers Service careers and job search site for enrolled students and graduates.

Australian

  • CareerOne: Australia wide job listings, all levels and industries including executive positions
  • MyCareer: Australian and international listings
  • Seek: comprehensive Australian job listings, also includes New Zealand and UK listings
  • The Big Chair: Management and Executive Jobs

International

Employability

Graduate attributes for the Bachelor of Podiatry are the skills, abilities and knowledge sets that are highly sought after in the industry. Below is the complete list of attributes that graduates will have demonstrated upon the completion of the degree.

 On completion of the Bachelor of Podiatry degree, a graduate will be able to demonstrate:

  1. A current and in-depth knowledge of podiatry and the roles of a podiatrist
  2. The ability to work safely and effectively as a podiatrist
  3. The ability to contribute to and work effectively in multidisciplinary health teams with other practitioners
  4. The ability to identify and analyse complex problems within podiatry practice and develop solutions to these problems
  5. The knowledge and skills to perform in a socially responsible manner, to communicate complex concepts effectively, and to engage in life-long learning.

 

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