Podiatrist
A podiatrist is a health care professional who specialises in foot health and problems with the lower limbs. Their tasks include examining the customer's problems, making a diagnosis and planning treatment methods. Most podiatrists work as entrepreneurs. In addition to expertise related to podiatry, the profession requires both interaction and manual skills.
Entrepreneurs, health care and rehabilitation employees, as well as sales and consulting duties.
A podiatrist must understand the anatomy and physiology of the human body, especially with regard to feet and lower limbs. The profession requires understanding of the biomechanics of the lower limbs and the dynamics of walking movements so that the podiatrist can assess and identify potential abnormalities or problems.
A podiatrist should be able to manage various treatment methods and techniques, such as manual therapy, exercise programmes, stretching, mobilisation, soft tissue treatment and, if necessary, the manufacture of orthoses or orthopaedic supports. The implementation of therapy requires the podiatrist to be innovative, to have good manual motor skills and to be perceptive.
The people-oriented work of a podiatrist requires interaction skills, skills in working in multiprofessional working groups and an entrepreneurial attitude. Podiatrists must comply with ethical principles in patient care, such as respecting patients' privacy and confidentiality.
The ability to organise and work independently is essential. Those working as entrepreneurs also need competence related to entrepreneurship. The profession requires continuous development of one's own professional skills and learning new things.
At the university of applied sciences, you can acquire a bachelor's degree in social and health care. The degree title is podiatrist.
In Finland, podiatrist is a protected occupational title. Professions with protected occupational titles may also be practised by those who possess the required training, experience and professional skills and knowledge. However, they are not entitled to use the protected occupational title. Valvira will enter professionals entitled to use a protected occupational title into the central register of health care professionals.
Registering the protected occupational title of a podiatrist (suomi.fi)
Median salary
2796 €/mo
Private sector
2850 €/mo
Public sector
2772 €/mo
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries