Mobile podiatrists are individuals who treat foot problems at various locations, including in patients’ homes. An individual who plans to enter this career field has to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in a science field followed by four years of medical school. He or she can then complete a residency that lasts two years to six years and allows him or her to focus specifically on foot care. Tasks of a mobile podiatrist include assessing patients’ feet and treating problems associated with them. This type of professional also hires employees and communicates with other doctors in addition to maintaining supplies and completing continuing education.
A chief task of a mobile podiatrist is to evaluate a patient’s foot to determine what type of health issue he or she is experiencing. For instance, this type of doctor might order a subordinate to take a radiograph so that he or she can pinpoint problems such as arch issues or heel spurs — abnormal growths of bone — which otherwise would be difficult to detect. Deciding when to complete lab tests is also part of the job description of a person in this line of work.
Completing treatments for foot problems constitutes another important responsibility of a professional in this industry. He or she can perform a minor surgery to address a bunion, which is a bony bump in the area of a person’s big toe that causes pain, as well as administer drugs. A mobile podiatrist additionally helps to create shoes that are made specifically for a patient’s foot type to reduce the client’s discomfort when walking.
Hiring employees, cooperating with other mobile physicians, and managing supplies are also important parts of the job in this field. An individual in this career area recruits and selects a podiatrist assistant to help him or her with procedures. He or she further shares information about his or her services with other mobile doctors who can refer patients. In addition, a person who is interested in becoming a mobile podiatrist must assume the responsibility of ordering supplies and making sure that equipment continues to function properly.
An individual in this vocational area needs to be licensed and board-certified as a physician and, therefore, has to take continuing education courses regularly. These classes are provided at industry conferences as well as universities, and allow a mobile podiatrist to remain up-to-date on developments in the field. Earning course credits is critical for a doctor in this specialty area to maintain his or her credentials.