Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists work in a range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, industry, private practice and sports clubs. They treat a wide variety of conditions, such as injuries and fractures (including sports injuries), orthopaedics and joints, strokes, post surgical rehabilitation, intensive care or terminal illness, abdominal conditions, obstetrics and gynaecology, chest conditions, posture and movement, neurological conditions, learning difficulties and mental illness. Treatment involves encouraging exercise and movement by the use of manual and mechanical techniques, such as therapeutic movement and exercise therapy, massage, manipulation and electro and/or hydrotherapy.

Typical work activities include:

• Working with patients to identify the physical problem
• Developing and reviewing treatment programmes
• Assisting patients with joint and spinal problems, especially following surgery
• Helping patients' rehabilitation following accidents, injury and strokes
• Supervising physiotherapy assistants
• Writing patient case notes and reports
• Collecting patient statistics
• Educating and advising patients and their carers about how to prevent and/or improve conditions
• Keeping up to date with new techniques and technologies available for treating patients
• Liaising with other healthcare personnel to supply and receive relevant information about the background and progress of patients, as well as referring patients who require other specific medical attention

Physiotherapists often see patients for several consultations over a period of weeks or months.

To work as a physiotherapist in The National Health Service (NHS) you must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) . This is a formality as soon as you have a recognised first or postdoctoral degree qualification. It is also highly beneficial to be a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Candidates need to show evidence of:

• Good communication skills
• Ability to work in a team; regularly liaising with other professionals, such as doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, teachers and social workers
• Pragmatic problem-solving skills
• Initiative, patience, sensitivity and tact
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• The ability to be firm, encouraging and empathetic
• The ability to establish a rapport with patients and their families
• A genuine concern for the wellbeing and health of patients
• A real interest in anatomy and physiology

• The initial physiotherapist salary in The National Health Service (NHS) is £19,683 - £25,424. This can rise to £23,458 - £31,779 for specialist physiotherapists and £28,313 - ££37,326 for physiotherapist team managers.
• Principal physiotherapists (consultants) earn between £36,112 and £62,402 (salary data collected August 2008).
• Extra allowances are payable in the London area, where there may also be assistance towards the costs of accommodation.
• Salaries in the private sector are generally similar to those in the NHS.

Sector information

Doctoral graduates in this occupation were known to be working in the following sectors:

• Health
• Higher education
• Social work and welfare

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering physiotherapy were:

• Anatomy, physiology & pathology
• Biology
• Clinical medicine
• Nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Psychology

None available

• Agenda for Change
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy
• Flying Start NHS
• Frontline
• Labmed Recruitment
• NHS Jobs
• Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland
• NHS Wales
• Nuffield Health
• Physio Room
• The Physiotherapy Site
• UK Physiotherapy Degree Courses
• BUPA
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
• Health Professions Council (HPC)
• NHS Health Scotland
• The National Health Service (NHS)