Podiatrists
In the Podiatrists occupation, workers diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot. The job can ask you to treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles. Interest ratings put Investigative on top at 5.8 out of 7 and Realistic second, so the code is IRS and the day leans toward research, analysis and working through hard problems. Plan on graduate school and often five years or more of related experience; O*NET labels this extensive preparation. Strength in speaking, reading comprehension, and critical thinking helps most here. Expect to diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.
What they do
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Main tasks
- Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet and ankles.
- Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
- Advise patients about treatments and foot care techniques necessary for prevention of future problems.
- Prescribe medications, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
- Surgically treat conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, or abscesses.
- Refer patients to physicians when symptoms indicative of systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes, are observed in feet and legs.
Skills
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Writing
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on speaking and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
- You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.7 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code IRS takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Attending Physician
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (DPM and Surgery)
- Doctor Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Related careers
Is this your direction?
See how your interests line up with IRS and 906 other careers.
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.