Physiotherapists are one of the 15 Allied Health Professions.
Physiotherapists are movement specialists. Whilst most people think of physiotherapy as a profession that works with sports people or sports injuries, a career in physiotherapy offers this and so much more.
Some physiotherapists choose to work with professional athletes, but lots of physiotherapists also help people who have been very unwell get stronger, or help people who are in a medical coma.
Physiotherapy is an exciting and dynamic profession that welcomes and values diversity. If you are curious about a career as a physiotherapist, read on and explore the links for more information.
Website: The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
Physiotherapists are often based in larger hospitals but can also be found in smaller clinics including GP practices and community health clinics. Physiotherapists may also visit people in their own homes if they find it difficult to attend an appointment.
Within hospitals, there are lots of different areas or specialities you could work in. For example, a ward with people who have just had surgery, an outpatient clinic with children who are healing after breaking a bone or in accident & emergency assessing people who have injured themselves at home.
Physiotherapists work with people of all ages. Physiotherapists use their skills to improve lots of different health conditions affecting systems of the body, including:
Neurological
This means conditions that affect the brain or nerve pathways in the body. You may have heard of people who have had a stroke or have a condition like Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
Respiratory
These are conditions that affect the lungs, like asthma or cystic fibrosis
Cardiovascular
This refers to conditions that affect the heart and circulation system. For example, if a person has had a heart attack, physiotherapists can support them in getting back to exercise safely.
Musculoskeletal
This includes sports injuries and back pain
As a physiotherapist you may choose to develop advanced skills, such as prescribing medications, taking blood or giving injections.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has a selection of short videos showcasing the careers of 5 people working as a physiotherapist in a range of different areas.
You can also see what a day in the life is like for Chloe Worger, a Paediatric Physiotherapist at Royal Brompton Hospital.
Physiotherapists work closely with a range of other healthcare professionals including:
- doctors
- nurses
- occupational therapists
- dieticians
- speech and language therapists
- psychologists
BSc degree
A popular route to becoming a physiotherapist is to complete a three year degree in physiotherapy at a university. The programme combines learning at university and when out on clinical placements where you spend time working with physiotherapists and treating patients.
BSc degree apprenticeship
A physiotherapy apprenticeship is a newer route into physiotherapy and takes three years to complete. Some NHS employers employ people to work in a physiotherapy service, and pay for them to complete a physiotherapy degree apprenticeship. This involves working part-time and studying part-time and is therefore a good option as you can earn a salary whilst you train, and your employer will pay the training fees.
To be accepted onto an apprenticeship programme you need to apply for a physiotherapy apprenticeship position with a healthcare employer or be offered one by your existing healthcare employer.
MSc degree
For those who already have a related first degree, there is the option to complete a masters degree in physiotherapy over two years.
Physiotherapist
A newly qualified physiotherapist will enter at band 5 on the NHS Agenda for change pay scale. This has a salary between £28,000 to £34,500. Roles within North West London are also eligible for an additional 15-20% pay, meaning the salary in one of our eight boroughs starts from £32,200.
Physiotherapy support worker
Support workers are usually employed at NHS agenda for change pay bandings 3 and 4 - salaries can range from £22,000 to £27,500. Roles within North West London are eligible for an additional 15-20% pay, meaning in any of our eight boroughs these start from £25,300.
AHPs are able to move up the agenda for change pay bands as they progress in their career. To see what the salaries are for more experienced staff, you can view the salary bands here.
The NHS also has other employee benefits such as annual leave of between 27 - 33 days, plus bank holidays; an excellent pension scheme; and other payment schemes during periods where staff are off work e.g. maternity and sickness.
As a physiotherapist you have the option to register with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Their website has more information about becoming a physiotherapist.
Find out more about being a physiotherapist in the NHS here: Information on being a physiotherapist - Degrees and Courses - NHS Careers (healthcareers.nhs.uk)