Role Characteristics
- Conduct and document assessments for injuries and fitness levels
- Carry out therapy and fitness tests through massage, strapping, taping and directing warm-up sessions
- Test joints for ease and range of movement, pain and dysfunction
- Educate groups to improve their preparation and prevention capabilities
- Provide advice and education on diet, nutrition and lifestyle issues
- Develop long-term rehabilitation plans alongside other health care professionals
Skills
- Active listening
- Advice giving
- Communication
- Empathy
- Specialist skills
- Operating equipment
Day in the life
Find out more about studying Sports Therapy at Leeds City College.
Routes into this role
Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.
- Volunteering or work experience
- GCSEs
- An apprenticeship
- Undergraduate degree
- Degree apprenticeship
- BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels
How to become
To become a Sports Therapist, you will usually need a degree in Sports Therapy. There are many ways to access university level education and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.
You might:
- Study GCSE's and A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Physical Education, Biology, Health and Social Care, Psychology, Applied Science or Sport. 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 Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation or a related health and sport subject 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 Sports Therapy.
- Complete a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification in Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation or a related health profession, where available.
Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in sports clubs, fitness centres, rehabilitation services, healthcare settings, schools or community sports organisations and think about developing your communication, problem-solving, motivation, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
To work in this role, many Sports Therapists choose to become members of a professional body such as the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT), depending on their qualifications and career pathway.
Where can this role lead
From your role as a Sports Therapist, you could continue helping people recover from injury and improve performance by specialising in areas such as Sports Rehabilitation or Musculoskeletal Health.
You could also specialise in supporting people's movement, recovery and independence as a Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or Osteopath. .
Location
-
Community Settings
-
GP Practices
-
Hospitals
Working hours
-
Flexible Hours
-
Casual Hours
-
Full Time
-
Irregular Hours
-
Nights
-
Overtime
-
Part Time
-
Weekdays
-
Weekends
Opportunities
Leeds City College Sport courses
- Organisation
- Leeds City College
Calderdale College Sports Courses
- Organisation
- Calderdale College
Volunteering in Health and Care
- Organisation
- Volunteering Opportunities
BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy
- Organisation
- Leeds Beckett University