what is a physiotherapist?
When you are a physiotherapist, you apply various techniques to treat injuries, disorders and diseases. Unlike a doctor who administers medicine and injection, you use physical methods to achieve your goals. Some of the techniques include exercise, massage and manipulation. You aim to improve a person's quality of life after an injury or disease. In some cases, techniques can successfully restore movement, but a physiotherapist also helps ease the pain and effect of dysfunction for permanent injuries.
what does a physiotherapist do?
Aside from working in hospitals, a physiotherapist also assists athletes and sportspeople by helping them through injuries. Physiotherapy is crucial for people of all ages with a range of health conditions. For instance, as a physiotherapist, you can help people with back, neck or shoulder pains to find ways to reduce the pain or exercise to improve the condition.
Physiotherapists assist patients with chronic illnesses and movement problems. People with multiple sclerosis or stroke need assistance to restore mobility. After a heart attack, a physiotherapist helps patients with rehabilitation and advises on the exercises to reduce the chances of reoccurrence of the condition.
Aside from physiotherapy skills, you advise your patients on the activities and habits in their daily lives that can strengthen their bodies and minimise the chance of injuries.
Would working as a physiotherapist suit your passion for helping people? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a physiotherapist role.
average salary of a physiotherapist
According to National Careers, the average salary of a physiotherapist ranges from £25,654 to £45,838 per year. The wage bracket differs depending on the employer. For instance, a physiotherapist working through the NHS has a different pay structure than those in private practice. In the NHS, the compensation is determined using the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay bands, and entry-level physiotherapists fall under band 5, with an annual salary between £25,655 and £31,534. Working in advanced practice raises your pay band to 8a, where you earn from £47,126 to £53,219. Aside from salary, your compensation package includes various allowances and benefits.
what factors affect the salary of a physiotherapist?
Your compensation package as a physiotherapist varies based on whether you work in public or private hospitals. Salaries and benefits are fixed for NHS physiotherapists, but private hospitals determine their wages. Most physiotherapists work for NHS and do consultations for private hospitals to boost their income.
Your specialisation can also affect your pay structure significantly. For instance, physiotherapists who specialise in sports injuries earn more compared to those working in care homes. Regardless of your specialisation, your experience level influences your compensation package, and the more experience and skills you have, the higher your income.
types of physiotherapists
Some of the types of physiotherapists include:
- musculoskeletal physiotherapists: as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, you specialise in treating back pains, arthritis, sprains or injuries related to muscles and bones. Physiotherapists in this field cover a broad range of sports and workplace injuries or reduced mobility issues. The rehabilitation they provide aims to restore balance and motion in injured joints and muscles.
- neurological physiotherapists: as a neurological physiotherapist, you apply various techniques to minimise the effect of disorders in the nervous system. You deal with patients that have spinal injuries, stroke, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. You can also rehabilitate patients after brain surgery. Your role is to prevent physical deterioration and improve the quality of life for patients with long-term neurological conditions.
- cardiothoracic physiotherapist: as a cardiothoracic physiotherapist, you assist in rehabilitating patients after a heart attack and restoring their quality of life. You also help them exercise to clear infections in the chest and restore balance.
working as a physiotherapist
Becoming a physiotherapist can open doors to numerous opportunities for advancement. Want to learn more about what you will do daily and your work environment? Then read on.
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duties and responsibilities
The specific duties of a physiotherapist depend on the employer and the treatment they are administering. Some of the tasks include:
- reviewing the medical history of patients: as a physiotherapist, you need to review your patients' medical records. The medical history helps you understand their past conditions and previous treatment plans. You also perform some tests and physical exams to assess a patient's posture, strength and mobility. The tests and medical records help you create a specialised treatment plan for each patient.
- administering soft tissue massages: you can use massage therapy as part of your treatment plan. The treatment helps your patients by increasing blood circulation and easing pain in the tendons, nerves and muscles.
- manipulation of joints: as a physiotherapist, you use various manipulation and stimulation methods to promote muscle contraction and boost mobility. Sometimes, you have to use electrical stimulation methods.
- using heat and cold treatment methods: as part of the treatment plan, you may need to apply heat to some muscles or joints to stimulate blood flow or apply cold treatments to minimise inflammation.
- educating patients: as a physiotherapist, you advise your patients on the best exercises to do at home to boost their treatment plans. You can teach them some therapy methods and ways to maintain an active lifestyle to prevent the development of new conditions.
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work environment
As a physiotherapist, you are based at hospitals and health centres, where you work with patients that require regular therapy. Sometimes you work at clinics, GP surgeries or in community centres. While most of your sessions are done at the physiotherapy unit in the hospital, some roles require you to visit patients at their homes. If you are a sports physiotherapist, you should be available in the field during games to assist in emergencies. Full-time sports physiotherapists often work from sports training centres Some of their collegues are sports coach position and organizers..
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work schedule
When you are a physiotherapist, you work between 35 and 40 hours a week. It is a full-time job, and sometimes, you have to work evenings or take on night shifts at the hospital. In private practice, you can work part-time as a consultant. Community-based clinics also have part-time opportunities. As a sports physiotherapist, your work extends to weekends, particularly during pre-season and seasonal training. Your job also involves a lot of travelling when you have to visit patients in the communities. Sports physiotherapists sometimes have to follow athletes and sportspeople during competitions, which includes overseas travel.
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job outlook
A career in physiotherapy has a clearly defined progression. For instance, in the NHS, you can progress gradually from a junior level (a physiotherapy assistant) to a senior level physiotherapist to improve your skills and qualifications. You can also become a consultant or a health service manager. Some physiotherapists specialise in orthopaedics, sports therapy, paediatric physiotherapy or occupational health. When you have top-level experience, you can go into research or become a lecturer. Self-employment is also a possibility, but you need impressive skills and expertise in a specific area to be successful.
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advantages of finding a physiotherapist job through randstad
Finding your physiotherapist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a physiotherapist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
There are different ways to join the physiotherapist career. Some include:
- university course: you need a degree in biological science, sports science and psychology to become a physiotherapist. The entry requirements for a degree are 2 or 3 A Levels with biology. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy must approve your degree course or the training institution. You can also do a postgraduate degree to specialise in a specific field.
- apprenticeship: become a physiotherapist through a degree apprenticeship and combine it with on-the-job training. For the apprenticeship, you need 2 to 3 A-Levels, including biology. You will also work at least 30 hours a week.
- work experience: it is possible to become a physiotherapist by working as an assistant while studying for a degree. Volunteering in a care home or health centre also improves your skills and gives you relevant work experience. Enhanced background checks are often done before work placement since you work with vulnerable adults and children.
skills and competencies
You need the following skills to succeed as a physiotherapist:
- motor skills: as a physiotherapist, your job is to work with patients and improve their balance and motor skills. That means you need to possess motor skills and understand how they help the muscles. It helps if you are physically fit since most sessions require strength and maximum precision during exercises.
- communication skills: while your primary role is to work with your hands to perform the therapy techniques, you need to be a good communicator. It is crucial to explain the importance of each exercise and therapy technique. You also need to empathise with your patients and provide advice on improving their quality of life.
- observation skills: you need observation skills as a physiotherapist to gain valuable information on your patient. With your observation skills, you can evaluate the movement and behaviour of a patient.
- organisation skills: as a physiotherapist, you should keep track of the appointments and personalise the treatment session for each patient. Organisation skills will help you maintain a schedule for appointments and update patient files.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a physiotherapist.
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what does a physiotherapist do?
A physiotherapist provides treatment using physical methods to help people with injuries and diseases with movement. They also advise patients on pain management and the best exercise for their condition. Want to learn more about working as a physiotherapist? Then check out this article.
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how does one pursue physiotherapy after A-Levels?
After completing your A-Levels and having your sights on a physiotherapy career, you can join a degree course. You need two or three A-Levels to join a university course in sports therapy or biological science. Want to learn more about working as a physiotherapist? Then check out this article.
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how much do physiotherapists earn a year?
The average annual salary for a physiotherapist is between £25,654 and £45,838. However, you can earn more in private hospitals or sports physiotherapy. Want to learn more about working as a physiotherapist? Then check out this article.
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what qualifications do you need to become a physiotherapist?
To become a physiotherapist, you need a degree in biological science or sports therapy from an institution certified by the Chartered Institute of Physiotherapists. Want to learn more about working as a physiotherapist? Then check out this article.
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is a physiotherapist a doctor?
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional, but unless they have completed a medical degree, they are not a medical doctor. Instead, as science-based professionals, they use physical methods like therapies and exercises to help rehabilitate patients suffering from various conditions. Want to learn more about working as a physiotherapist? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for a physiotherapist vacancy?
Applying for a physiotherapist job is easy: create a randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search and job interview tips here!
