Physiotherapy Assistant

 

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Physiotherapy Assistants make a difference to the lives of our patients every day by helping them recover from a range of illnesses and conditions. It is also a route to becoming a physiotherapist.

A day in the life

Working with a physiotherapist, your work could involve:

• setting up equipment
• showing patients how to use mobility aids
• helping patients prepare for treatment (including helping with dressing and undressing)
• working on exercises with patients
• writing reports and updating patients’ records

You may work with individuals or groups of all ages and situations with a range of conditions, including

• neurological (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's)
• neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuries, arthritis)
• cardiovascular (chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
• respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis)

You could be working in

• outpatients' departments
• women’s health
• elderly care
• stroke services
• orthopaedics
• mental health and learning disability services
• occupational health
• paediatrics

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Your development

You will be given the training you need to do the job, including an introduction to the department and its procedures and how to set up and use the equipment.

You may be offered the chance to study for qualifications such as

• the NCFE CACHE level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services
• the NCFE CACHE level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Physiotherapy assistants can become associate members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The Society runs courses, conferences and seminars where physiotherapy assistants can update their skills and network with others doing similar work. 

With experience, you could become a team leader supervising the work of other physiotherapy assistants. You could apply to train as an assistant practitioner or, with the qualifications needed for entry into university, as a physiotherapist.

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For more information regarding joining our Physiotherapy team, please submit a form through the ‘Contact us’ page or contact the Human Resources team, who are more than happy to help, on 02392 286577 or email hr.inbox@porthosp.nhs.uk.