Overview
In this unit, you will implement podiatric surgical techniques required to perform safe and competent nail surgery. Specific emphasis is placed on surgical principles, expanding and reinforcing your understanding and practice of infection control and clinical and theatre protocols. You will gain knowledge and skills in surgical management and learn the theory behind a range of surgical procedures relevant to podiatric practice. The scope of podiatric surgery practice is explored with consideration of the ethical and medico-legal implications.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: PODI13011 Podiatry Clinical Practice 3 and PODI13015 Advanced Pharmacology in Podiatry Practice and Corequisite: PODI14008 Podiatry Clinical Practice 4
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator Feedback
In preparation for the must-pass local anaesthesia-focused in-class test, students should receive a practice quiz.
It is recommended that students should receive a practice quiz for the local anaesthesia-focused in-class test to prepare them for this new assessment item.
- Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice.
- Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia.
- Discuss varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
- Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia conducted by podiatrists.
- Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.
Per NPC1322
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) - 50% | |||||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 50% | |||||
| 4 - In-class Test(s) - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery 5th edition
5th edition (2021)
Authors: Brian Carpenter
Wolters Kluwer
ISBN: 9781975136062
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom access
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.pritchard@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Anatomy and local anesthesia
Chapter
Presentation: 'Local Anaesthesia' available in week 1 tab on moodle
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 2, Chapter 3, Pages 134-139 'Local/Regional Anesthesia'
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Medicolegal, infection control and professional referrals
Chapter
Podiatry Infection Prevention & Control Handbook - 2025, available in week 2 tab on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Nail surgery 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Nail surgery 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Local anaesthesia in-class test Tuesday 11:00am 31/3/25
Local Anaesthesia Safety Test Due: Week 4 Tuesday (31 Mar 2026) 11:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Minor foot operations
Chapter
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 3 'Forefoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Local anaesthesia re-sits Tuesday 11:00am 7/4/25
Module/Topic
Forefoot and midfoot surgery
Chapter
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 4 'Midfoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical Session Friday 17/04/2025 9:00am - 5:00pm. Rockhampton Health Clinic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rearfoot and ankle surgery
Chapter
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 5 'Rearfoot Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 7
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 6 'Ankle Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Trauma, complications and rehabilitation
Chapter
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 7 'Special Surgery Conditions' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 8
McGlamry's Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2022. Section 9 'Soft Tissue Surgery' - Specific Chapters will be advised on the moodle page in week 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Work Integrated Learning 'Nail Surgery Clinic' Wednesday 6/5/26 to Friday 8/5/26 9:00am - 5:00pm
Professional Practice Placement Due: Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
A mock OSCE will be undertaken during the lecture time this week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There is no lecture or tutorial scheduled for week 10. The OSCE (Assessment 3, 50%) will be scheduled during the usual class time.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
OSCE Tuesday 19/5/26 9:00am
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Due: Week 10 Tuesday (19 May 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
There is no lecture or tutorial scheduled for week 11. Students should use this time for self-directed revision.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There is no lecture or tutorial scheduled for week 12. Students should use this time for self-directed revision.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The in-class test (Assessment 4, 50%) will be scheduled during the usual class time.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In-class test Tuesday 9/6/26 9:00am
In-Class Test Due: Exam Week Tuesday (9 June 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 In-class Test(s)
You will be required to attend campus to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the safe use of Local Anaesthesia in the form of a closed-book, in-class test. This is an unweighted Pass/Fail assessment item which requires a grade of 100% to pass.
Students who do not pass their first attempt will be eligible for one re-attempt which will be held on Tuesday 11:00am in week 5.
Students who do not pass this assessment item are not eligible to attend practicums or Work Integrated Learning for this unit, therefore will not be able to pass the unit.
This test will be examining your knowledge of all presented learning material from week 1. You will specifically be examined on the 'Local Anaesthesia Safety' Lecture and Local Anaesthesia Calculations. More information regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Week 4 Tuesday (31 Mar 2026) 11:00 am AEST
You are to attend your usual lecture/tutorial room at your usual time. You are to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure prompt commencement of this assessment.
Week 4 Friday (3 Apr 2026)
Students will be notified of the outcome of their LA safety test by close of business Friday of Week 4. Students who sit a re-attempt of the LA safety test will be notified of the outcome of the assessment by close of business Friday Week 4.
Students will be marked according to an answer sheet specific to this assessment item.
- Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia conducted by podiatrists.
2 Professional Practice Placement
You will be required to attend campus for three (3) days of compulsory Professional Practice Placement. Two days of this placement will be facilitated by a podiatric surgeon, and you will be provided with the opportunity to develop your surgical podiatry skills to ensure you are meeting safety expectations. Students must pass all areas of their surgical clinic logbook in order to pass the unit. More information regarding this assessment item will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site.
Students who do not attend their practicum day in week 6 will not be eligible to attend their Professional Practice Placement.
Students who do not pass Assessment 1 (in-class test, 0%) will not be eligible to attend their Professional Practice Placement.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Students will be required to participate and pass their Surgery Professional Practice Placement on 6/5/25, 7/5/25 and 8/5/25. Students are required to submit their PODI14014 clinical placement log book by the due date.
Week 10 Friday (22 May 2026)
2 weeks after the due date
You will be assessed against a specifically designed marking rubric for this assessment. The surgical Podiatrist, together with the Podiatry Clinical Supervisor or Unit Coordinator, will be assessing your proficiency in this unit.
- Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice.
- Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.
3 Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
For this assessment task, you will be required to undertake an Objective Structured Clinical Examination to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and competency relating to surgical procedures in podiatry practice. More details regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site. You will be required to attend on-campus for this assessment.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Week 10 Tuesday (19 May 2026) 9:00 am AEST
The OSCE will occur at the CQUniversity Health Clinic.
Week 12 Tuesday (2 June 2026)
Feedback will be provided within two weeks following the OSCE.
This assessment task will be marked against a specifically developed marking rubric reflective of the clinical scenarios presented.
- Demonstrate advanced professional and ethical behaviour including the use of effective communication skills and reporting related to surgery in podiatry practice.
- Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia.
- Discuss varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
- Perform nail surgery safely and competently including postoperative management and related patient education.
4 In-class Test(s)
You will be required to attend campus to demonstrate your knowledge of surgical podiatry in the form of a closed-book, in-class test. This test will be examining your knowledge of all presented learning material from weeks 1-12. More information regarding this assessment task will be made available to you on the PODI14014 Moodle site.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Exam Week Tuesday (9 June 2026) 9:00 am AEST
You are to attend campus to complete this in-class test. The test location will be advised by the unit coordinator early in the term. You are to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure prompt commencement of this assessment.
Feedback will be provided within two weeks following the in-class test.
You will be marked against a specifically developed marking rubric for this assessment task.
- Examine the anatomy of the foot with particular emphasis on the nerves and associated structures to enable safe and effective delivery of local anaesthesia.
- Discuss varied foot and ankle surgical procedures relevant to podiatry practice.
- Evaluate the indications, contraindications, and risks, including adverse reactions and medicolegal implications, of surgical procedures and administration of local anaesthesia conducted by podiatrists.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
