Onboarding plan
Podiatrist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new podiatrist from first day to full productivity.
Podiatrist onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: APMLE exams, State podiatry license (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: surgical instruments; imaging systems; wound care supplies; orthotic casting tools
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Podiatrist training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Use sterile technique
- Check circulation before procedures
- Handle sharps safely
- Watch for infection signs
- Shadow an experienced podiatrist through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: perform a diabetic foot exam
- Supervised practice: debride a wound
- Supervised practice: treat plantar fasciitis
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Examine feet and ankles: independently
- Diagnose injuries and conditions: independently
- Treat wounds and infections: independently
- Prescribe orthotics: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, APMLE exams)
- Discuss the career path: Podiatry Resident → Podiatrist → Practice Partner
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform a Diabetic Foot Exam | |||
| Debride a Wound | |||
| Treat Plantar Fasciitis | |||
| Foot and ankle exam | |||
| Wound care | |||
| Foot surgery | |||
| Biomechanics |
How to measure onboarding success
- Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
- Competency sign-offs completed on time
- Documentation or charting error rate
- 90-day retention
How Podiatrist training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Podiatrist Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Podiatrist Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Podiatrist Career
- Final Knowledge Check