Graduate roles

When you first qualify as a podiatrist, you'll have several career options to choose from. Most newly qualified podiatrists start in the NHS, but some begin in private practice or research roles.

You can apply for these types of first roles:

• NHS Band 5 positions in hospitals or community services

• podiatrist positions in established private practices

• combined roles working across NHS and private settings

• research assistant posts in universities or clinical trials

• positions in specialist clinics focusing on specific conditions

In your first professional role you'll:

• treat your own patients under clinical supervision

• work alongside experienced podiatrists in a team

• develop your clinical skills through structured support

• complete regular training and development activities

• explore different specialty areas to inform your future career

Most employers offer structured support for new graduates through preceptorship programmes and mentoring.

In the NHS, you'll start as a Band 5 podiatrist, working as part of a wider healthcare team. Private practices often offer associate positions where you'll work alongside experienced practitioners.

Working patterns vary depending on your role and employer. NHS jobs typically have standard hours from Monday to Friday. However, some services may also offer weekend clinics. Private practices might offer more flexible arrangements, including part-time or split-week options.

Starting salaries for newly qualified podiatrists reflect your professional qualification and responsibility. NHS roles follow a structured pay scale, while private practice salaries can vary based on location and specific role requirements.

The transition from student to qualified practitioner brings both opportunities and challenges. Many employers offer structured support during this time. This includes preceptorship programmes, mentoring and regular supervision.

NHS roles

The NHS Agenda for Change pay system achieves fair pay for non-medical staff based on the principle of 'equal pay for work of equal value'. Under the system, staff are placed in one of 9 pay bands based on their knowledge, responsibility, skills and effort needed for the job.

Each pay band contains a number of pay points. As you successfully develop and apply your skills and knowledge, you progress in annual increments up to the maximum of your pay band.

NHS career progression typically moves from Band 5 through to Band 8, with increasing responsibilities and opportunities at each level. Many podiatrists combine NHS work with private practice to gain diverse experience.

Watch Morag, who has been a podiatrist in the NHS for over 30 years, talk about the progression she has made in her career:

As a Band 5 junior podiatrist you will:

• manage your own patient caseload

• work within a team of healthcare professionals

• develop your clinical assessment skills

• gain experience in different specialty areas

• receive support through preceptorship

With experience, you can progress to a Band 6 specialist role where you will:

• handle more complex patient cases

• focus on specific areas of practice

• help develop junior colleagues

• take responsibility for specific clinics

• contribute to service improvement

At Band 7 level, as an advanced practitioner or team leader, you will:

• lead specialist podiatry services

• manage teams of podiatrists

• develop new treatment approaches

• provide training to other staff

• contribute to department strategy

Consultant podiatrists at Band 8 level:

• lead podiatry departments

• shape clinical strategies

• conduct research

• develop new services

• influence national practice

Specialist areas include diabetes care, sports podiatry, surgery, research and education. Each specialty requires specific skills and qualifications.

Specialist areas

As a podiatrist, you can focus your career on:

• diabetes care, helping prevent complications and working in specialist teams

• sports podiatry, treating athletes and providing biomechanical assessments

• podiatric surgery, performing procedures and developing surgical skills

• biomechanics, analysing movement patterns and prescribing treatments

• research and education, teaching future podiatrists and conducting studies

Each specialty offers opportunities to:

• develop expert knowledge

• work with specific patient groups

• join specialist teams

• advance to senior roles

• contribute to developing your field

Watch former student podiatrist Sarah give her impressions of podiatry as a career in the NHS, and how you can choose a specialism:

Private practice opportunities

Working in private practice, you can:

• join an established practice

• work as a locum in different settings

• combine private work with an NHS role

As you gain experience you could:

• set up your own practice

• expand into multiple locations

• develop specialist services

• build a team

Many podiatrists combine NHS and private work throughout their careers, giving them varied experience and flexibility.

Before starting your own private practice, it's important to:

• list the pros and cons of running your own business

• analyse whether you have the right character traits for business ownership

• get relevant quotes to assess setup costs

• evaluate your existing assets and outgoings

• research funding options

• understand regulatory requirements

• create a detailed business plan

• establish a support network

The Royal College of Podiatry provides a comprehensive private practice handbook for members. It covers all aspects of setting up and running a podiatry business.