A Distance Learning Course of 12 Lessons

There is no greater satisfaction than to care for others, and our Foot Health Care Course gives you the opportunity to do just that in your own practice. The human foot is one of the most complex and neglected of body parts. Every step we take places two and a half times our body weight on the 26 bones that make up each foot, and it has been estimated that we walk 3 times around the planet in a lifetime. However, the foot is highly sensitive and like any machine part suffers wear or damage when injured or stressed beyond its capability.

Here's where you come in. Though there may be little wrong with their feet, circumstances may prevent people looking after them. Arthritis, painful hip joints or stiff knees may put their feet out of reach or prevent use of scissors or nippers. However, others do have problems with their feet, from corns, calluses, verrucas, flat-foot and bunions to nail conditions and structural defects, many of which can be treated without surgery or medical intervention. Some just enjoy being pampered or are concerned to maintain their bodies in optimum condition. All of these people need the help of a Foot Health Practitioner, a professional trained to deliver care and advice either in a private surgery or in the home.

Stonebridge's Foot Health Care not only gives you a complete grounding in foot anatomy, care and diagnosis but provides the information and support you need to establish a successful practice. Completion of the course gains you the SAC Dip. (Foot Health Care), the qualification that says that you are trained to a good working standard.

This course is made up of twelve lessons of theory training, which you complete from the comfort of your own home, and two week’s practical training, which is completed at our state-of-the-art Foot Health Training Centre.

Lesson 1:

Intro/ organisation/ tissues/ cartilage/ ligament/ tendon/ bone/ fractures/ skeletal development/ the human skeleton/ leg skeleton/ foot skeleton/ anatomical planes/ terms of reference/ foot arches

Normal stance and posture/ pes planus/ articulations/ tendons/ retinaculae/ movement/ pes plano-valgus

Lesson 2:

Muscle tissues/ structure/ groups/ muscles of the leg and foot, HAV limitus/ rigidus/ metatarsalgia/ arthritis/ gout/ sprains/ treatment of pes plano-valgus

Lesson 3:

Blood structure/ heart/ vessels/ circulation/ arteries/veins/ capillaries/ respiration/ circulatory disorders/ atherosclerosis/ stenosis/thrombosis/ ulceration/ varicosity/ pulses/ blood borne disease/ pathogens/ fungi/ viruses/ bacteria/ exercise and the cardiovascular system/ disinfection and sterilisation

Lesson 4:

Integumentary system/ skin hair and nails/ normal function and growth mechanisms/ homeostasis/ instruments / skin pathologies-corns, callus, etc/ nail dystrophies/ peripheral perfusion/ tissue viability/ gangrene/ malignancies

Lesson 5:

Materia medica/ antiseptics/ styptics/ varnishes/ creams/ pre and post ops/ cleanliness and personal hygiene/ self-presentation/ diagnosis/ prognosis/ records and book-keeping/ styles of practise

Lesson 6:

Lymphatic circulation/ relationship to blood circulation/ lymphoedema/ path of infection/ route of metastasis/ when and how to refer

Lesson 7:

CNS/ ANS/ nerve supply to foot sensation and pain/ areas served by individual nerves/ peripheral circulation examination/ Raynauds syndrome/ neuropathy/ neurological examination

Lesson 8:

Endocrine system and hormones/ diabetes mellitus and its significance/ neuropathy/ paddings and dressings

Lesson 9:

External respiration/ gaseous exchange in the lungs/ internal respiration/ measurement of blood pressure/ the ankle brachial pressure index/ varicose veins/ skin disorders and conditions/ differential diagnosis/ fungal infections/ yeast infections/ sweating disorders/ instuments/

Lesson 10:

Pathology/ organ changes/ factors causing hypertrophy and hyperplasia/ factors causing atrophy/ neoplasms/ elements of nutrition/ setting up a practice

Lesson 11:

Starting Your Own Business

Lesson 12:

Marketing Your Business

Qualification 1: Foot Health Practitioner (Advanced) Diploma

Foot Health Practitioner (Advanced) Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC Dip after your name.

Qualification 2: Level 4 Foot Health Practitioner Award

This Course leads to an NCFE Level 4 Award Certificate for successful learners. This means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (in which case GCSE's are at levels 1 and 2 and A Levels are at level 3). In accrediting the programme at level 4, NCFE attests that its learning outcomes are at an equivalent level to a level 4 national qualification.

This award has been designed by Stonebridge Associated Colleges to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements. Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that this learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE.

With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor. You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 180 hrs.

Practical Training
This course is made up of twelve lessons of theory training, which you complete from the comfort of your own home, and two week’s practical training, which is completed at our state-of-the-art Foot Health Training.

Assessment Method
After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

What's Included
All study materials
Study Guide
Full Tutor and Admin support
Two Week's Practical Training
The course fee includes the ASET registration and certification fee (valued at upto £30.00)
Business start up advice and excellent discount rates from the College's approved supplier of Foot Health equipment
FREE Patient diagnosis pocket handbook worth £15.99
FREE Practitioner's Toolkit worth £100.00

What is NCFE
NCFE is the UK's longest established awarding body, recognised as a highly professional and responsive organisation, committed to maintaining excellent customer service and a friendly approach.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that a learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE. Learners successfully completing NCFE accredited programmes receive an externally accredited and nationally recognised NCFE certificate.

Professional Membership
This qualification has been fully accredited by the R.F.H.P for Full Membership.

On successful completion of the course, students may join the Register for Foot Health Professional (RFHP). The RFHP is a non-profit professional association for Foot Health Practitioners, who places practitioners on a register, making the public aware that the practitioner is trained to a high standard.

The RFHP campaigns for, promotes and supports those who work and practice in the Foot Health Practitioner Industry

Please Note
Students wishing to practise in the UK need to complete practical training. This can be done on campus at the College's Foot Health Centre. The cost of the course above, includes two weeks full practical training at the Foot Health Centre.