Career Advice for a Physical Therapist

As a Physical Therapist, you will use exercise, massage, and other techniques to help patients regain movement and manage pain.

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How to Become a Physical Therapist

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Physical Therapist

Should you wish to work as a Physical Therapist you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Physical Therapist

  • A Degree in Physiotherapy or a related field.
  • Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Key Responsibilities for a Physical Therapist

  • Assessing patients' physical abilities and creating treatment plans.
  • Teaching patients exercises and techniques to improve their mobility and reduce pain.
  • Monitoring patients' progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.
  • Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
  • Maintaining accurate patient records and communicating with insurance providers.

What to expect as a Physical Therapist

As a Physical Therapist in the UK, you could work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, or sports teams, helping patients recover from injuries or disabilities.

Recommended Physical Therapist Jobs

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How to get Physical Therapist Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Physical Therapist job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Physical Therapist application. If you have not held a Physical Therapist position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Physical Therapist role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Physical Therapist CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Physical Therapist application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Physical Therapist in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Physical Therapist 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Physical Therapist and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Physical Therapist experience.

How to get Physical Therapist Experience

What does it take to be a Physical Therapist? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Physical Therapist jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Physical Therapist through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Physical Therapist Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Physical Therapist part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Physical Therapist or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Physical Therapist freelance work

If you have impressive Physical Therapist qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.