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Physiotherapist

As a Physiotherapist, you will help people improve their movement, manage pain and recover from illness, injury or disability. You'll work with people using exercises, advice and rehabilitation techniques to help them regain independence, achieve their goals and live healthier, more active lives. Physiotherapists work with a variety of age groups who experience a range of health conditions affecting: the brain, heart, lungs, bones, joints and soft tissues. 

Physiotherapist is also known as Physio.

Role Characteristics

  • Assess peoples joint and movement problems
  • Undertake assessment using clinical reasoning skills and manual techniques to provide a physiotherapy diagnosis
  • Advise people on how to minimise the risk of injuries
  • Keep accurate records of treatment and progress
  • Work closely with other health professionals
  • Formulate and deliver individual and group physiotherapy treatment programmes

Skills

  • Advice giving
  • Goal-setting
  • Problem-solving
  • Taking initiative
  • Team work
  • Communication

Day in the life

Watch this video to learn about Rachel's role as a Physiotherapist.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

  • GCSEs
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Degree apprenticeship
  • Postgraduate degree
  • BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

How to become

To become a Physiotherapist, you will need a degree in Physiotherapy. There are many ways to access university level education and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

  • Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Biology, Physical Education, Health and Social Care, Psychology, Applied Science or Chemistry. Explore some current opportunities below.
  • Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but don’t have the traditional requirements like A Levels.
  • Complete a Foundation course – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying Physiotherapy or a related healthcare profession if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.

You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

  • Studying an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy.
  • Complete a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification in Physiotherapy.

Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in healthcare, rehabilitation services, sports and fitness settings, care services, schools or community health settings and think about developing your communication, empathy, problem-solving, teamwork and motivational skills.

To work in this role, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Where can this role lead

From your role as a Physiotherapist, you could continue supporting people to improve their movement, independence and physical wellbeing by specialising in areas such as Sports Rehabilitation, Neurological Rehabilitation, or Children and Young People's Services.

You could also specialise in helping people recover from illness, injury or disability as an Occupational Therapist, Osteopath, or a role in Prosthetists.

Your assessment, communication and problem-solving skills as a Physiotherapist would also translate well to sideways moves such as a Health Trainer. 


Location

  • Hospitals
  • Peoples Homes
  • Community Settings
  • Care Homes
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • GP Practices

Working hours

  • Casual Hours
  • Full Time
  • Part Time
  • Weekdays
  • Overtime
  • Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Two people smiling whilst working Woman in facemask working
Access to university
Access to Higher Education (Science, Medical, and Health)
Our Level 3 courses are designed to give learners the UCAS points needed to progress to university.
Organisation
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
View opportunity
BTECs, T-levels or A-levels
Leeds City College Health and Social Care courses
Find BTEC, T-Level or A-Level courses in Health and Care at Leeds City College
Organisation
Leeds City College
View opportunity
Work Experience
Virtual work experience
Aspiring Allies offers virtual work experience as well as housing information about the allied health professions, routes into these professions, a quick and easy quiz to support individuals to 'Find their AHP' and inspirational stories from staff working as and students studying to be an allied health professional.
Organisation
Aspiring Allies
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Volunteering
Volunteering in Health and Care
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care
Organisation
Volunteering Opportunities
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Undergraduate Degree
BSc Physiotherapy
Through this degree course you’ll develop the skills you need to take a key role in the management of both acute and long-term conditions, helping restore and maintain function and activity, and prevent of injury or illness.
Organisation
University of Bradford
View opportunity
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