Instructions:
Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.
Task:
1. Examine the feet and lower legs of patients to establish medical history, nature of symptoms, and health status using medical records and physical forms.
2. Diagnose minor foot ailments, including, but not limited to, corns, callouses, bunions, ingrown toenails, warts, and infections such as athlete’s foot and foot lesions to provide medically necessary treatment based upon individual exams, test results, etc.
3. Prepare medication orders, care plans, and progress notes to document individual treatment using office equipment (e.g., computer, dictation equipment, etc.).
4. Review all medical and surgical care given to the patient to ensure proper documentation of the patients’ conditions with podiatric care and treatment.
5. Perform minor surgeries to treat infections, ingrown toenails, and the soft tissue of the foot/ankle using various medical instruments.
6. Provide nonsurgical treatment of the muscles and tendons of the leg which govern the function of the foot in order to set casts or refer for surgery.
7. Educate patients about treatments and foot care techniques utilizing medical knowledge specific to patients’ disorder to prevent future problems.
8. Dispense over-the-counter orthopedic aids as required from, but not limited to, metal, leather, plastic, felt, or other medium.
9. Participate in clinical quality review to maintain the standard of care, promote effective utilization, and ensure compliance with laws, rules, and policies utilizing record reviews, statistical evaluation, and policies and procedures.
10. Order medical interventions (e.g., corrective devices, physical therapy, surgery, etc.) to properly provide medical treatment or follow up on test results.
11. Read and evaluate prescribed treatments (e.g., x-rays, test results, etc.) of the lower extremities to ensure understanding and compliance.
12. Diagnose diseases and deformities of the foot using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
13. Refer patients to their primary care physicians or appropriate specialist when clinical findings are indicative of systemic disorders (e.g., diabetes, vascular disease, etc.).
14. Provide conservative care by means of casting, strapping, and taping to relieve and alleviate symptoms.
Knowledge, Skill, or Ability:
1. Knowledge of methods, materials, and equipment used in current podiatric practice.
2. Knowledge of theory and practice of podiatric medicine.
3. Knowledge of current trends and literature in the field of podiatric medicine.
4. Skill to accurately take a podiatric history.
5. Ability to apply methods, materials and equipment in current podiatry practice.
6. Ability to diagnose and treat foot, ankle, and lower leg ailments.
7. Ability to give instruction in the proper care of feet.
8. Ability to keep clinical records and prepare reports.
9. Ability to establish and monitor quality assurance criteria for the monitoring of hospital podiatric care.
10. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and coworkers both verbally and in writing.
