Looking for your place in healthcare?
Looking for a healthcare career that lets you work one-on-one with patients? Check out La Trobe’s undergraduate courses in podiatry, prosthetics and orthoptics.
The ultimate job goal for most of us? A secure career that makes an impact. With the healthcare industry, you can combine two of your top job-seeking priorities – career stability and making a real difference. But if you’ve been looking for the right healthcare role for you and haven’t been hooked by the most common career pathways, it’s time to explore some new options.
Meet: Podiatry, Orthoptics, and Prosthetics and Orthotics.
In these roles, you’ll be directly helping others regain mobility, independence, or vision, as well as improving people’s day-to-day lives.
So how do you decide which area fits your goals? With a little self-discovery and some inspiration through our specialised health career checklist.
Find out if you should study a Bachelor of Podiatry, Bachelor of Orthoptics or Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
First, here’s a simple breakdown of each profession:
- Podiatrists treat foot and ankle conditions in a range of settings and fields, like private practices or sports.
- Orthoptists treat people with eye disorders and low vision to improve visual function in private clinics, hospitals, not-for-profits and more.
- Prosthetists and orthotists manufacture and fit prostheses and orthoses in both public and private practices.
I want to work with patients one-on-one
If you like the idea of getting hands-on and making a direct impact on someone’s life, all three careers can give you that opportunity.
You’ll provide personalised care for people of all ages, backgrounds and needs, collaborate with other health providers if needed, and work with your clients over multiple sessions.
Every step helps patients - and their families – improve their quality of life and participate fully in society.
I’ve always pictured myself doing something a little unusual
When people think ‘healthcare’ they may typically think about going to the doctor’s office or the hospital, but health is much more complex and holistic than that. And that’s where specialists like podiatrists, orthoptists, prosthetists and orthotists come in.
Wanting an interesting job means you’re passionate – facing nuanced challenges, employing creative problem solving and making a real impact. Plus, you get an easy conversation starter for any social event. Doing something different could be your way of carving out a dynamic, in-demand space for yourself.
I thrive with extra responsibility
Every health profession requires responsibility, but if you’re looking to take things up a step, podiatrists are authorised to prescribe medicines and perform minor surgical procedures.
Don’t stress; you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience studying at La Trobe, treating patients at our on-campus podiatry clinic and going on immersive placements in hospitals, specialist clinics and private practices.
I like to create and work with my hands
Welcome to prosthetics and orthotics, where we’ll teach you the materials handling skills required to fabricate the devices your patients need. You’ll get experience with the materials, tools and machinery, including the safe working practices, needed in the day-to-day work of this profession.
I want to use specialised technology
As an orthoptist, you’ll use specialised technology like retinal cameras and ultrasonography instruments as part of your role. During your time at uni, we’ll help you learn how to master the technology that helps you diagnose and treat eye disorders and conditions.
I want to help people thrive
Whichever role you take, you’ll be changing people’s lives in both small and profound ways, every day. Whether it’s helping someone regain their mobility and independence, unlocking a healthier way to live, treating a disorder and much more, you’re the specialist that gives people what they need to live their best life.
And with patients and clients ranging from children to the elderly, from all backgrounds, you’ll have opportunities to work with the communities you’re the most passionate about.
At La Trobe University, you’ll learn from experts, get hands-on experience both on campus and with real-world placements, get opportunities to take part in projects and much more.
Kickoff your own impactful health career with an undergraduate health degree that helps you stand out and give back.
Start with these popular courses
For other healthcare career options and how La Trobe University can help you reach your goals, take a look at what makes La Trobe one of Australia’s top providers of healthcare courses.*
*Source: Universities Australia, 2024, Commencing Enrolments (2019-23)
Have questions?
Get in touch with us to talk through all your study options and how you can take your next step with La Trobe.