Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner

Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner

This Course at a Glance

• Develop key knowledge and competencies in Foot Health Care
• Promote awareness of good foot health
• Learn to identify and treat foot health issues
• 10 days of practical training in our state-of-the-art training facility
• Gain a recognised RQF Level 4 Diploma
• Take your first steps into the health and social care sector
• Learn the fundamentals of setting up your own practice
• Allows you to add letters DIPFH or RFHP after your name

The new Innovate Awarding Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner is the only nationally accredited qualification in foot health at this level.

About your Diploma

The Innovate Awarding Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner RQF Qualification 610/4007/1 is a fully recognised qualification listed on the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework). It carries 40 credits which can be transferred to progress onto further study (e.g. a degree).

The Innovate Awarding Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner RQF develops the knowledge, skills and competence required for learners to work as Foot Health Care Practitioners. This qualification promotes awareness of preventing and treating foot disorders and provides information on setting up in practice. The knowledge, understanding and skills equip learners to be occupationally competent and gain experience in dealing with common foot and skin problems.

This qualification has been developed in line with the Standards for the Foot Health Workforce published by Health Education England in 2021.

This Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner qualification is suitable for learners aged 18 and above who work, or who are looking to work, within the Health and Social Care sector, or those who want to have their own Foot Health Clinic.

Progression

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress into employment working as a Foot Health Care Practitioner, either in private practice, care homes or hospitals.

Learners could also progress to generic management qualifications, specialist management qualifications for the health and social care sector, or further study or training such as the Level 5 Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship or foundation degree.

About our Foot Health Course

Our course contains all of the mandatory units required by the Awarding Organisation and is designed so that you complete as much of the theoretical work as possible before you attend your practical training – at our state-of-the-art Foot Health Training Centre in Birmingham. By doing so, you can focus on the clinical aspects of your training whilst you are with your Clinical Tutor. You will work with real clients and will cover all aspects of running a clinic. You collect evidence of your clinical practice as you prepare for appointments and work with clients.

10 Day Practical Training

Your practical training will be held at our state-of-the-art training clinic in Birmingham. During your 10 day training, you’ll work on real patients, allowing you to hone your skills and solidify your learning.

Throughout your practical training, you’ll be supervised and supported by our experienced tutors who are successful practising foot health care practitioners themselves.

At the end of your 10 Days, you’ll have the confidence and proficiencies in the required techniques to make you a success in the Foot Health Care world!

Launching your Career

As soon as you’ve gained your nationally recognised qualification you can start practising and add the letters DIPFH or RFHP after your name.

Your course will teach you how to set up and run a successful foot health care practice including understanding businesses logistics and how to plan your business.

This course will also give you a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology. The course will also teach you about infection of the foot, how they spread and how they can be treated.

You will learn how to maintain foot hygiene and how to treat feet in a hygienic and safe way, preparing you for clinical practice.

learndirect is the UK’s leading distance learning provider. So, you can be confident that this course will get you the qualification you need to succeed.

The course is developed by subject experts and accredited by Innovate Awarding. You will also get tutor support throughout your studies and 10 day practical training course in our state-of-the-art facility.

You can start your course as soon as you enrol via our online learning portal. Just log in and all your course materials will be there waiting for you.

Modules

Within your course you will cover all of the below:

Unit 1: Principles of anatomy and physiology for the foot health care practitioner - L/651/1126

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know the structure and function of the circulatory system
• Know how the respiratory system functions
• Understand the structure and function of the muscular skeletal system
• Know the structure and function of the nervous system
• Know the process of immunity
• Know the functions of systems that maintain balance within the body
• Know the anatomy of the foot

Unit 2: Therapeutics, medications and instruments for the foot health care practitioner - R/651/1119

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand treatments used in foot health care
• Understand the risks of medication in foot health care
• Be able to apply medication, covers and dressing materials to the foot
• Be able to use foot health care instruments
• Be able to fit an orthosis to a client’s shoe

Unit 3: Treatment of dermatological pathologies for the foot health care practitioner - A/651/1120

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know the structure and function of the skin
• Understand the importance of nutrition for skin health
• Understand disorders and conditions which affect the skin of the foot and appropriate treatments
• Understand dermatological pathologies of the foot
• Be able to treat dermatological pathologies of the foot safely
• Be able to record details of treatment for legislative purposes
• Be able to sanitise the work area after treatment

Unit 4: Nail and skin dystrophies in foot health care - D/651/1121

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know the structure and function of nails
• Understand the importance of nutrition for clients’ nail health
• Know the dystrophies of nails
• Understand how to treat nail dystrophies safely
• Be able to carry out treatment safely
• Be able to apply nail cutting techniques safely
• Be able to safely apply abrasion techniques for nails and skin

Unit 5: Circulation for the foot health care practitioner - F/651/1122

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know the importance of measuring blood pressure for foot health care
• Be able to check the circulation of the lower limb
• Understand circulatory disorders of the lower limb

Unit 6: Communicate and record information in a foot health care environment - H/651/1123

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how to communicate with clients and/or carers
• Be able to communicate with clients and/or carers
• Know how to keep accurate records meeting legal obligations
• Be able to record information relevant to foot health care
• Understand how to communicate with other professionals
• Understand how to communicate self-care and self-management to clients and/or carers

Unit 7: Infection prevention and control for foot care practitioners - J/651/1124

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how infection of the feet is caused
• Know how infection can spread
• Know how to minimise infection
• Be able to maintain hygiene when administering footcare
• Be able to use sterilisation methods for foot healthcare
• Be able to dispose of waste safely in a foot health care environment

Unit 8: Supporting clients with diabetes in foot health care - K/651/1125

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the regulation of blood sugar levels
• Understand diabetes in relation to foot health care
• Be able to test for sensory function of the lower limb
• Be able to support clients with diabetes in foot healthcare

Unit 9: Conduct a foot examination - M/651/1127

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to prepare the environment for foot care treatments
• Conduct examination of the foot and footwear
• Be able to agree treatment and management plans
• Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices
• Be able to evaluate foot care treatments
• Be able to agree secondline treatment plan
• Understand wound management

Unit 10: Setting up a practice in foot health care - R/651/1128

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand considerations of being self-employed
• Understand the steps in assessing a business opportunity
• Be able to assess premises for a foot health care business
• Understanding client needs and competitor approaches to customer service
• Understanding business finance

Be able to demonstrate continuing professional development (CPD)

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. Full training is provided.

Minimum age restriction

Age 18 +

Average completion timeframe

1 - 2 Years

Assessment requirements

All theory assignments (11) must be completed. Observations will take place when attending practical’s on real clients who attend the clinic.

Placement or Practical required

A 10-day placement must be completed over consecutive days with all days fully attended.

If placement or practical required, when?

The practical cannot be attended until units 1-10 have been completed. The practical can be booked upon submission of unit 8 and 60% of course fees paid. You must have also paid 80% of the course.

Exams required

The practical training element of this course will include 2 knowledge tests. These are not set by the awarding body

Observation by us required

Yes at practical

Additional requirements

The Learner is required to have the appropriate uniform and PPE for the practical element of the training.

Certification Timeframe

12 weeks - Can be longer if a EQA sample is required

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

This foot health care practitioner course is carried out via distance learning which means that you will work from home in your own time. You will be responsible for your own study time, but you are free to fit it around your other commitments such as work or family life.

The course is composed of 7 lessons of theory training which will be completed as part of your home study. As part of our foot health practitioner course, you will also have 10 days of practical training which will be completed at our fully equipped Foot Health Training Centre in Birmingham.

The amount of study hours you will need to dedicate to your studies depends on how much time you can dedicate to your studies as well as how well you grasp the learning materials. Furthermore, at the end of every lesson, you will be given a question paper to complete and return to your tutor. You should allow at least 8-10 hours of study to complete each question paper.

Innovate Awarding

On successful completion of our Innovate Awarding Level 4 Diploma for the Foot Health Care Practitioner (RQF) course you will receive a qualification listed on the RQF at level 4 (Qualification Reference Number: 610/4007/1 (This enables you to use the letters DIPFH or RFHP after your name. This course has also been assigned 40 credits.

Innovate Awarding is an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation with an innovative and dynamic approach. They develop off-the-shelf, customised and fully bespoke qualifications across a growing number of sectors – all on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). 

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress into a range of roles within the Health & Social Care Sector, in an established Practice or by running their own Foot Health Care Practice.  The course includes a unit on ‘Setting up and Running a Professional Practice’ so if you are considering starting your own business you will even have the chance to plan how to do so. Learners could also progress by studying for some additional specialist foot care qualifications, CPD courses or by taking generic management qualifications, specialist management qualification for the health and social care sector, or further study or training such as the Level 5 Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship or foundation degree.

Foot Healthcare Practitioners could choose to work on an employed basis in an established practice or if setting up a private practice, there is earning potential of up to £39,000.00 per year.

Source: Jooble