Your responsibilities as a student podiatrist
Clinical, academic and professional development responsibilities for podiatry students, including accountability and workplace conduct.
As a student podiatrist, you must understand and meet professional standards from the start of your training. Your responsibilities cover clinical work, academic study and professional development.
Understanding your role and accountability
During your training, you are accountable to your university, placement providers, clinical supervisors and the patients in your care. This means taking responsibility for your actions and decisions while working within your scope of practice.
Your supervisors will guide your development, but you are responsible for:
practicing safely within your current competence level
following professional guidance and protocols
maintaining accurate records of your work
raising concerns about safety or care standards
being honest when things go wrong
Speak to your university course team about:
their detailed accountability framework for students
specific reporting lines and responsibilities
examples of accountability in practice
guidance on raising concerns appropriately
decision-making guidance for students
Working in clinical environments
In clinical settings, you are part of the healthcare team. This means understanding the team structure and your role within it. You must follow workplace protocols and maintain professional relationships with all colleagues.
During clinical work you must:
follow clinical guidelines and safety procedures
maintain clear and accurate patient records
report any incidents or concerns promptly
use equipment safely and appropriately
follow infection control procedures
respect patient confidentiality
contribute positively to the learning environment
Whilst in a clinical setting, you must:
not wear anything below your elbows
only wear enclosed shoes
tie your hair back if it is below shoulder level
always wash uniforms at 60C for at least 10 minutes during the cycle
Read the Royal College of Podiatry infection control standard.
Working effectively with supervisors
Good supervision is essential for your development as a podiatrist. Your supervisors support your learning while ensuring patient safety.
Build effective supervision relationships by:
communicating regularly about your progress
being clear about your current competence level
asking questions when you're unsure
responding constructively to feedback
documenting supervision discussions
raising concerns appropriately
Your supervisor needs to know if you:
feel unable to carry out any task safely
have concerns about patient care
need additional support or training
experience any issues affecting your practice
Speak to your university course team about:
the supervision you’ll get during your training
how you are required to document your supervision
how you complain about the supervision you receive
Maintaining professional behaviour
Professional conduct is required in all aspects of your training. This means being reliable and well-presented by:
arriving on time for all commitments
dressing appropriately for your role
managing your time effectively
maintaining appropriate personal presentation
You must communicate in a professional manner:
using appropriate language and tone
respecting patient confidentiality
maintaining clear professional boundaries
being honest in all interactions
And you must follow protocols and policies by:
adhering to workplace guidance
maintaining accurate records
reporting concerns appropriately
protecting patient information
using social media appropriately
Read more about maintaining professional boundaries.
Academic responsibilities
Your academic work forms the foundation of your professional practice. You must:
attend all required teaching sessions
complete assessments honestly and on time
engage constructively with feedback
maintain your learning portfolio
keep training records up to date
participate in learning activities
Speak to your university course team about:
your minimum attendance requirements
the portfolio content and evidence they require from you
how you will be assessed
their peer learning guidelines
how you’re expected to record specific learning
Professional development
Ongoing development is essential throughout your career.
Although you are not required to maintain a record of your CPD activities, as a student you should:
reflect regularly on your practice
seek and act on feedback
identify your learning needs
maintain and develop your clinical skills
keep up to date with developments in podiatry
engage with professional networks and resources
The HCPC provides templates for reflective practice.
Whilst you are a student, you are encouraged to attend the Royal College of Podiatry’s annual conference and exhibition where you get discounted rates.
Getting support
Support is available from:
your clinical supervisors for practical skills
your academic tutors for theoretical learning
your personal tutor for general guidance
student support services for additional help
us for career development (email professionalsupport@rcpod.org.uk)
Remember that seeking appropriate support demonstrates professional responsibility and commitment to safe practice.
[Information gap: Need:
specific contact routes for different types of support
escalation processes
mentoring program details
access procedures for professional resources
emergency contact protocols]
Royal College of Podiatry Standards
If you're a member of the Royal College of Podiatry, you should be familiar with our 14 Standards of Practice:
Patient confidentiality.
Patient consent.
Guidelines for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Guidelines on delegation and supervision.
Guidelines on patient records.
Clinical abbreviations.
Single-use Instruments within podiatry.
Standards for the decontamination of reusable podiatry instruments.
Infection control.
Waste management.
Management of sharps injury and exposure incidents.
Domiciliary care.
Clinical environment.
Immunisation for podiatrists.
These standards are based on HCPC regulations and government legislation. If you don't follow the standards, your insurance and HCPC registration may be at risk.
