Jolie Beattie
Early career podiatrist in the private sector
Case study
Jolie Beattie - Early career podiatrist in the private sector
Jolie Beattie, Early career podiatrist, sat down for a chat with us about her career and wide-ranging role.
What impact do you think you will have as a podiatrist?
Jolie: “I hope that I will have a positive impact as a podiatrist. I have dedicated my career to working in care homes and residential homes to improve the foot health of those who cannot get into clinics, and do not qualify for NHS foot care. I utilise a clinic room one day a week to allow me to perform nail surgery and Swift verruca treatments. I am passionate about the diabetic foot, preventing ulcers and amputations. I love giving educational talks to different groups and so far, have given presentations about the foot as we age, its role in health and improving balance, and to a Diabetes UK patient group about the diabetic foot.
How long have you been working and where?
Jolile: “I began working after graduating in July 2020 in my local area of West Berkshire seeing mainly family and friends, and took the associate position in January 2021 in Thatcham, Newbury. In June 2021 I concentrated on growing my own business and in February 2022, I took on NHS Band 5 bank work, opening a once-a-week clinic from June 2022.
What does your working week look like?
Jolie:
- Monday: am: Care home; pm: admin
- Tuesday: Home visits
- Wednesday: Home visits
- Thursday: Associate in a clinic
- Friday: NHS Band 5 work
What support have you received which benefitted your career development?
Jolie: “Other than the support mentioned above, I have joined multiple Facebook groups to further my knowledge and ask questions. I have joined my local RCPod branch (Oxford): they are a very active group and offer both events and support. I also made use of both the Graduate handbook and Private practice handbook available on the RCPod website, as well as attending the self-employed accounting workshop run by the College. To help with starting a new business, I took part in the Government's New Enterprise Allowance (NEA), in which I was given business and financial advice.”
How do you manage continued professional development?
Jolie: “I try to set myself goals and reflect on my own practice and skills to seek improvement. I balance training in the things I’m interested in and things I find more difficult. I have attended diabetes, ultrasound, and MSK workshops. I am lucky to work part time in a private MDT clinic which runs regular CPD events including Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physios, Speech & Language therapists and Mental health practitioners, allowing us all to share information on our own speciality as well as learn about the roles of others.”
How rewarding is your work?
Jolie: “As Marc Anthony said, ‘If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.’ I absolutely love what I do”.
“One of my proudest moments was when I met a teenage girl who struggled with her foot health. Upon further investigation, a referral was made to a paediatric neurologist as I was concerned she was displaying symptoms of Charcot Marie Tooth. One year on, the daughter and her father were diagnosed with CMT 2e1f and are now receiving the lifechanging help they need.”