Introduction

Physiotherapists look after our bodies, making our joints and muscles work better. It is a skillful job with clear medical guidelines, so it is much more than simple massage. The work usually entails helping people with disabilities or after illness or injury.

The importance of physiotherapy in medical rehabilitation is becoming increasingly valued. Physiotherapists are employed in all types of authority except for district councils. Many work in the NHS and private establishments.

Work Environment

This is usually a special gym, hospital ward or treatment centre and community settings such as heath centres, nursing homes, special schools and patients’ homes. Physiotherapists also work in sports complexes, health clubs or professional sports environments like soccer clubs.

Hours are usually Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week, with early morning and evening sessions as well as on-call duty. Within the sports and leisure sector – for example at the council’s leisure complex – evening and weekend work should be expected.

Daily Activities

Rehabilitation through physiotherapy is a physical and active profession requiring strength and endurance. Physiotherapists may help you with your bad back, but they quite often need help with their own after a hard day’s work.

On an average day a physiotherapist will begin with an assessment of the patients’ disability and design a course of treatment to meet their needs. They will keep an accurate record of what their targets are and how well the clients are meeting them.
“We will have you walking with crutches by the end of the week”, is a simple aim for a footballer, or someone who has had a hip replacement – but much depends on the nature of the ailment.

For patients with mental illness the targets are more modest and complex, and the rate of progress variable. Physiotherapists are crucial to the rehabilitation of people who have suffered neurological damage – after having had a stroke, for example. They are useful sources of support to carers as well.

At the outset the physiotherapist will aim to gain the trust of the patient and proceed sympathetically with treatment. This is especially necessary if there has been a mental injury. The aim is to maximize the use of the limbs and enable patients to regain as high a level of independence as possible. Various exercises might be used at the start – sitting balanced on a large rotating rubber ball, walking with a frame or lying flat and stretching the legs in the air. There is a range of treatments available that includes hydrotherapy, ultrasound, deep heat, massage and manipulation and exercise.

Good physiotherapists will develop close relationships with patients and yet maintain sufficient professional distance to avoid over-dependence. They treat patients from all sections of the community – from babies to the elderly – and work alongside other health and social care professionals such as speech therapists and social workers.

Skills & Interests

You would need to have:

• good listening skills
• a sympathetic and reassuring manner
• the ability to be firm and persuasive when encouraging and instructing patients
• patience to explain plans and teach exercises
• an interest in physical education
• a good level of physical fitness
• an understanding of science
• the ability to give manipulative treatment, working with your hands
• a caring nature.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for entry to a degree course in Physiotherapy are 5 GCSEs/S Grades (A-C/1-3) with 2 A Levels/4H Grades including a preference for Biology or other science. The BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies (Science) or the advanced GNVQ/GSVQ in Health and Social Care or Science (usually with A Level Biology) may also be considered.

Training: to qualify as a chartered physiotherapist (essential for NHS work) you must first take an approved degree course in Physiotherapy. The training is purely theoretical for the first few months and then combines theory and practice including an attachment to hospital departments and other clinical settings. Subjects include anatomy, physiology, pathology, physics and behavioural science alongside practice.

Graduates in Biological Science or Sports Science may apply.

Adult entry: mature students with relevant work experience are considered. Academic requirements may be relaxed as long as you have evidence of successful recent study.
An Access course in Science may be acceptable.

Estimated salary range

15,920 – 18,485

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Opportunities have been rising steadily as the status of the profession is enhanced, through the growth of Primary Care Trusts and sports science courses, for example. But entry to training is very competitive. Further training can help towards specialisation in, for example, sports injury work, paediatrics and neurological disability. There are jobs in both the private and public sectors and senior and chief physiotherapist posts to aim for, too.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Community Care journal

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy www.csp.org.uk

English Sports Council www.sportengland.org

Scottish Sports Council www.sportscotland.org.uk

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk

Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under JG.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Physiotherapist vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.