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Physiotherapist
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£21,200 + per year
If you are interested in helping people improve their physical health, this could be a perfect career for you. Physiotherapists work with patients to improve their range of movement and promote health and wellbeing.
To become a qualified physiotherapist you need a physiotherapy degree approved by the Health Professions Council.
You will need to have an interest in human anatomy and physiology, plus patience and sensitivity. You must also be interested in the health and wellbeing of patients.
WorkDesc
The work
As a physiotherapist your work could include:
- helping patients with spine and joint problems, especially after an operation
- helping patients recovering from accidents, sports injuries and strokes
- working with children who have mental or physical disabilities
- helping older people with physical problems become more mobile.
You could work in various areas and departments, such as paediatrics, outpatients, intensive care, women's health and occupational health. You could use a variety of treatments and techniques including:
- physical manipulation
- massage
- therapeutic exercise
- electrotherapy
- ultrasound
- acupuncture
- hydrotherapy.
You would keep accurate records of patients' treatment and progress, and you would often work closely with other health professionals. These could be occupational therapists, health visitors and social workers.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week. You could be based in a hospital or the community, in a health centre, clinic or GP surgery. You may also visit patients in their own homes.
If you work for local authorities, voluntary organisations or the private sector, you may be based in a nursing home, fitness centre or sports clinic.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries for physiotherapists in the NHS are between £21,200 and £27,500 a year. Specialist physiotherapists can earn around £34,200 a year. Team managers and advanced physiotherapists can earn up to £40,200 a year.
Salaries in the private sector are usually similar to those in the NHS.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To become a chartered (qualified) physiotherapist you need a physiotherapy degree approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC). This will make you eligible for state registration and membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Check the HPC and CSP websites for a list of course providers.
To do a degree in physiotherapy, you will usually need:
- at least five GCSEs (A-C) including maths, English and a range of science subjects
- four AS levels at grade B or above (including a biological science)
- three A2 level subjects at grade C or above (including a biological science).
Check with universities for exact entry requirements as other qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted.
It would help you if you also had some relevant experience, for example as a volunteer. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for details.
When you apply for a course you will have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, however a criminal conviction does not automatically prevent you from working in the NHS. The admissions tutor for your course can give you details.
Alternative entry routes
Cadet or apprenticeship scheme
You may be able to prepare for a career in physiotherapy through a two-year Cadet/Apprenticeship Scheme. This involves clinical placements and working towards a qualification such as an NVQ Level 3 in Health, and may meet the entry requirements for a physiotherapy degree. Check with your local NHS Trust or NHS Careers for details.
Physiotherapy assistant
As an assistant you may be able to take a part-time degree in physiotherapy whilst you are working. The CSP website has details of part-time, work-based degree course providers. The HPC website also includes a list of approved courses.
Please see the physiotherapy assistant job profile for more information.
Accelerated postgraduate courses
If you have a first class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject (such as a biological science, psychology or sports science) you could qualify as a physiotherapist by taking a fast-track postgraduate course. Contact the CSP for details.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are working as a qualified physiotherapist, you will be encouraged to expand your knowledge and skills. You can do this by going to workshops; developing your portfolio; and taking part in reflective practice programmes (critical analysis and evaluation of your working practices), as part of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Check the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) website for details of a wide range of post-qualification courses.
If you are a qualified physiotherapist wanting to return to the profession after a career break, you could take a return-to-practice or refresher training course. The CSP can send you an information pack.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a physiotherapist, you will need to have:
- an interest in anatomy, physiology and health science
- a genuine concern for the health and wellbeing of patients
- excellent communication skills
- good teamwork skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- good interpersonal skills
- the ability to be firm yet encouraging
- patience, sensitivity and tact
- good organisational and administrative skills.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Health Professions Council 
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
14 Bedford Row
London
WC1R 4ED
Tel: 020 7306 6666
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs in the NHS. However, you could also work with local authorities and in the private sector, such as at day centres, schools, hospices, care homes, fitness centres and sports clinics.
With experience you could become self-employed and set up your own private practice. Within the NHS, you could progress to senior physiotherapist or move into health service management.
You could go on to specialise in an area such as orthopaedics, sports therapy, occupational health, or working with older people or children. Other related areas of work include research or teaching.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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