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Physiotherapist

As a physiotherapist, you’ll assess, diagnose, and manage a variety of movement problems to improve the health and wellbeing of your patients. 

You will play an essential role in the rehabilitation of:

• Neurological conditions such as Stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, or traumatic brain injury. 
• Musculoskeletal problems like joint pain, sports injuries, arthritis and broken bones.
• Cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks.
• Chronic respiratory illnesses including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis. 
• Plus other specialisms including paediatrics, learning disabilities, women’s health, and many more.

You will work with patients/clients and their families and carers on a daily basis, to reduce pain and disability and restore a good quality of life. You will develop management plans that facilitate movement, prescribing exercises and carrying out manual and electro therapies. You could work on a hospital ward, in a GP surgery, a gym, a private clinic or visiting patients at home.


Health promotion is also key to the Physiotherapist’s role, advising people on ways to avoid injury and stay fit and healthy throughout life.

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
  • A-Levels
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Degree apprenticeship
  • Postgraduate degree

How to become

You will need 5 GCSEs including English, maths and science along with 2 or 3 A Levels. To become a Physiotherapist you will need a degree in Physiotherapy and be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council.  A degree apprenticeship is also an option. If you already have a degree, it will need to be in a relevant subject for postgraduate study.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

To practice as a Physiotherapist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

As a Physiotherapist, you could specialise in a particular area such as sports injuries, critical care, or work with the elderly, children or cancer patients. Teaching, Research and Management roles are other options.

You could work with sports coaches or personal trainers, be based in a clinic or open your own practice.

Location

  • Hospitals
  • Peoples Homes
  • Community Settings
  • Care Homes

Working hours

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

Leeds Opportunities

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Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Degree courses in Physiotherapy
Find out more about Physiotherapy degree courses across Yorkshire.
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UCAS
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
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Leeds City College
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.
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Aspiring Allies
Volunteering
Volunteering in Health and Care
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care
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Volunteering Opportunities
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