Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Foot Care Nurse
💰 $65,000 - $105,000 Annually
HealthcareNursingSpecialized CareGeriatricsCommunity Health
🎯 Role Definition
As a specialized Foot Care Nurse, you will be a vital member of our healthcare team, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, mobility, and independence of our clients. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy to perform comprehensive foot health assessments, deliver advanced, non-invasive treatments, and provide crucial education on preventative care. This position is ideal for a dedicated nursing professional with a passion for direct patient care, a gentle touch, and a commitment to preventing complications associated with chronic diseases, particularly in geriatric and diabetic populations. You will be the primary point of contact for clients' lower limb health, building lasting therapeutic relationships and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic patient outcomes.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
- Community Health Nurse
Advancement To:
- Senior Foot Care Nurse / Clinical Team Lead
- Clinic Manager or Coordinator
- Private Practice Owner / Entrepreneur
- Clinical Nurse Educator (specializing in foot care)
Lateral Moves:
- Wound Care Specialist
- Diabetes Educator
- Chronic Disease Management Nurse
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct comprehensive, holistic nursing assessments of the lower limbs and feet, identifying actual and potential health issues, including dermatological, musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular systems.
- Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate individualized client care plans based on thorough foot health assessments, evidence-based practices, and patient-centered goals.
- Perform advanced nursing foot care procedures, including the safe and effective reduction of thickened or fungal toenails, corns, and calluses using sterilized, professional-grade instruments.
- Provide specialized diabetic foot care, including comprehensive annual screenings for neuropathy, vascular changes, and ulceration risk using monofilaments and Doppler ultrasound.
- Manage and treat various common nail conditions such as ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis), involuted nails, and onychomycosis, employing conservative, non-invasive treatment techniques.
- Educate clients, families, and caregivers on preventative foot care strategies, appropriate footwear selection, and daily foot hygiene practices to promote long-term health and prevent complications.
- Accurately and meticulously document all assessments, treatments rendered, interventions performed, and patient education provided within the electronic health record (EHR) system in a timely manner.
- Maintain strict adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) standards, including the meticulous cleaning, disinfection, and steam sterilization (autoclaving) of all instruments and equipment.
- Assess, monitor, and document the circulatory status of the lower limbs, identifying signs of peripheral vascular disease or other circulatory impairments and initiating appropriate follow-up.
- Make appropriate and timely referrals to other healthcare professionals, such as family physicians, podiatrists, chiropodists, or endocrinologists, for conditions that fall outside the nursing scope of practice.
- Provide basic wound care for non-complex foot and lower leg ulcers in collaboration with the primary care provider or a specialized wound care team, monitoring for signs of infection or deterioration.
- Conduct risk assessments for falls related to foot pain, structural deformities, or improper footwear, and provide corresponding interventions, education, and recommendations.
- Administer prescribed topical medications for various skin and nail conditions of the feet as directed by a physician or as per the established plan of care.
- Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to client care, particularly for patients with complex chronic diseases.
- Stay current with evidence-based practices, emerging techniques, and advancements in the field of nursing foot care through ongoing professional development and continuing education.
- Perform basic gait analysis and footwear assessments to recommend modifications, off-the-shelf orthotic devices, or appropriate footwear choices to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Offer compassionate, client-centered care, building strong therapeutic relationships with a diverse patient population, especially seniors and individuals with physical or cognitive challenges.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan and patient outcomes on an ongoing basis, making necessary adjustments to treatment strategies to achieve optimal foot health.
- Ensure patient comfort and safety during all procedures, utilizing proper ergonomic positioning, gentle handling, and pain management techniques as needed.
- Manage the clinical environment by ordering and maintaining an adequate inventory of foot care supplies, instruments, and client education materials.
Secondary Functions
- Participate in community health promotion and outreach initiatives, such as senior wellness fairs, providing foot health screenings and educational presentations.
- Contribute to the development and review of clinical policies, procedures, and educational materials related to foot care services.
- Mentor and support nursing students or new staff members who are learning about basic and advanced foot care principles.
- Manage client scheduling, billing inquiries, and follow-up communications to ensure continuity of care and efficient clinic operations.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Advanced Foot and Nail Care Techniques (Nail Debridement, Corn/Callus Reduction)
- Diabetic Foot Assessment & Risk Screening (Monofilament, Doppler)
- Aseptic Technique and Instrument Sterilization (Autoclave Operation)
- Lower Limb Vascular and Neurological Assessment
- Basic Wound Care Management for Lower Extremities
- Proficient in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Charting and Documentation
- Knowledge of Foot Biomechanics and Appropriate Footwear
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Patient Education and Counseling
- Empathy, Compassion, and a Gentle Demeanor
- Meticulous Attention to Detail and Precision
- Strong Interpersonal and Therapeutic Communication Skills
- Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
- Excellent Time Management and Organizational Abilities
- Manual Dexterity and Fine Motor Skills
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Active and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/Registered Practical Nurse (LPN/RPN) in good standing with the provincial or state college of nurses.
- Certificate from a recognized post-graduate Nursing Foot Care program (theory and clinical practicum).
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Advanced or specialized certification in diabetic foot care or wound management.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Nursing
- Gerontology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 2+ years of clinical nursing experience.
Preferred:
- 1-2 years of direct experience providing advanced nursing foot care in a community, long-term care, or private clinic setting.
- Experience working with geriatric clients and individuals with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or other chronic conditions.
- Experience operating a nursing practice or clinic, including scheduling, inventory, and billing.