Physiotherapist

Introduction

Physiotherapists assess and treat people whose movement is restricted by injury, illness or age. They may use exercise, massage, and other treatments such as hydrotherapy, deep heat or ultrasound for injuries and disorders to muscles or joints. This is a popular occupation.

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Work Activities

Physiotherapists assess and treat people whose movement is restricted by injury, illness or age. They use a range of treatments including exercises, manipulation, massage, ultrasound, hydrotherapy and deep heat.

A doctor usually refers clients to the physiotherapist. However, some clients refer themselves to physiotherapists who are working in the private sector. The physiotherapist then assesses the patient's capabilities and decides upon the most appropriate treatment. Initial assessment is made using referral notes and consulting the patients.

Recent changes within the NHS are impacting on the the role of the physiotherapist; more priority is being given to providing specialist, personalised advice that will improve the client's quality of life, and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

There will be a greater focus on working with patients to prevent illness and help them to take personal responsibility for staying healthy.

Where necessary, other health care specialists, such as occupational therapists are also consulted. Physiotherapists then use physical tests such as measuring the range of movement and the girth of limbs to determine muscle wastage.

Physiotherapists treat a wide range of different people with a variety of needs. Patients may be amputees, stroke patients, children with severe disabilities, pre- or post-operative patients or those with psychiatric problems. Some, such as intensive care patients, are very ill, while others are suffering minor injuries.

Exercises may be devised and taught to develop balance, strengthen weak muscles or help patients to relax. Hydrotherapy is particularly useful as the water takes the weight off limbs and the heat soothes pains and relaxes muscles.

Physiotherapists may also select appropriate appliances such as crutches or wheelchairs and teach patients how to use them.

Although most clients are seen on an individual basis, group therapy can be useful in teaching them how to overcome or prevent common problems such as weaknesses in the knees, ankles and back.

Health education and the prevention of injury and illness are becoming increasingly important. One example of this aspect of work is teaching relaxation techniques to expectant mothers and developing exercise programmes to help them regain muscle control after giving birth.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to be patient, sympathetic and firm, in order to help clients who may be anxious or frightened, and reluctant to perform difficult or painful exercises.

You must be able to encourage, reassure and persuade patients of the ultimate benefits of their treatment. You'll need to be skilled in listening, explaining and report writing.

Ideally, you should be physically fit and have an interest in science and physical education.

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Pay and Opportunities

National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities.

In the NHS, physiotherapists start on Band 5 of the Agenda for Change pay scales. From April 1, 2008 this has been £20,225 - £26,123 a year. Specialist physiotherapists on Band 6 earn £24,103 - £32,653 a year. Advanced physiotherapists and those with management responsibilities on Band 7 earn up to £38,352 a year.

At the highest levels, physiotherapy managers and consultants can earn up to £64,118 a year, depending on responsibilities.

Physiotherapists usually work 35-36.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Most are employed within the NHS, where they are based in hospitals, health centres and in the community.

Others work in private practice, for example in independent clinics, occupational rehabilitation centres, sports clubs or in industry. Some physiotherapists work in policy development and research, helping to develop new and more appropriate care services.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant experience, eg, from working as a physiotherapy assistant.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter a degree in physiotherapy, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, eg, Access to Science.

You don't usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

Graduates with relevant degrees such as biological science, sports science or health science (all must have a substantial human physiology content) are considered for entry to two-year accelerated MSc postgraduate courses in physiotherapy or rehabilitation science. Successful completion leads to state registration.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy produces guidelines on mature entry to the profession.

• 10% of physiotherapists are self-employed.
• 38% work part-time.
• 15% have flexible hours.
• 3% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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