How to Start a Chiropodist Business

What are the tools you need to start your own chiropodist business? The best way to start will be to begin with these simple tips and tricks to set your chiropodist business up and running.

Starting a chiropodist or podiatric business, means getting a degree as a chiropodist from a recognized institute and then deciding to set up shop as a private practitioner.

How to start a chiropodist business!

You can set up a single private practice, buy a running business, and join an established practice which already has an existing patient base. But for all these options there are a few things you should keep in mind,

  • As a chiropodist you will have to diagnose and treat a multitude of foot diseases and accordingly you will need to equip your surgery with the necessary equipment. Before setting up practice, decide the patients you want to focus on and then source the equipment you will need for that specific treatment.
  • Please remember that a degree in podiatry is essential before you set up your practice as most podiatry degrees have to be recognized by the Health Professions Council as well as state registration councils. It’s also a good idea to be a member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) as this will increase exposure to locums for increased experience.
  • Almost all podiatry businesses are private practices and you have to consider it as a profession which will get you a salary! It’s absolutely necessary to expend time advertising, endorsing and marketing your services to local customers and clients. Joining up with professional organizations will increase your contacts and client base as well as increase awareness about your services. Most hospital jobs will require you to put in about 37.5 hours a week in a five day week. But with your private practice, you will have to put in much more time to get your business up and running.
  • For all practitioners a basic set of essential chiropody instruments is an important investment. According to your specialty you will need files, small knives, injections, sterilization equipment and local anesthesia as well as more professional tools like those used to measure foot biomechanics. A full fledged practitioner will also require a surgical table, cutting apparatus as well as x-ray machinery. But this also depends whether you want to get a fixed location for your practice or a roving practice where you are called to patient’s homes.
  • Most chiropodists start by setting up word-of-mouth practices and you can start by distributing leaflets advertising your services. You can also be attached part time to local health professionals who will refer specific patients to you and thus increasing your patient base.
  • Set your fees while keeping your expenses in mind. Don’t price yourself too low or it becomes difficult later on to keep overheads in check. Try to offer discounts to elderly customers and also offer specialty foot care products at a markup to get a better return on your investments.

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