Physiotherapy support workers help physiotherapists treat patients with physical problems caused by illness, injury, age or disability. Physiotherapists use movement, exercise and technology to help maximise patients’ movements.

The Work

You could be:

• getting equipment ready for use in treatments and tidying up afterwards
• looking after patients when they arrive
• helping patients to dress and undress
• helping patients with their exercises
• monitoring patients during exercise programmes
• showing patients how to use mobility aids
• organising clinics, dealing with phone enquiries and carrying out clerical duties
• updating patient records, and marking their progress
• working with other health care professionals, such as occupational therapists and nurses.

You might specialise working in one area, for example working with children.

Pay

Pay rates can vary depending on whether you are working with the NHS, with a private practice, or are self-employed. Within the National Health Service Agenda for Change scales physiotherapy support workers are paid on Band 3, £18,292 to £21,349 a year.

Assistant practitioner physiotherapy support workers are on Band 4, £20,911 to £23,597 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2018.

Conditions

• You would usually work in treatment units or wards in hospitals.
• You could also work in a health centre.
• Hours are normally regular, but you may sometimes do weekend or evening work.
• You would usually wear a uniform.

Getting In

• There are no formal entry requirements although a good general education is expected.
• You should be fit, as you may need to help lift patients and move equipment.
• It helps to have some relevant experience, perhaps through voluntary work. Some employers require experience of working with the public.
• You might get in through a Modern Apprenticeship.
• An SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) in Health Care Support at SCQF Level 6 or 7 may be useful.
• You will require a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
• The ability to swim is required for some posts.
• A driving licence might be useful.
• It is helpful to have some relevant experience. Volunteer Scotland offer some voluntary physiotherapy assistant opportunities.

Most physiotherapy assistants work for the National Health Service (NHS). You might also find work in sports centres. Demand for jobs often exceeds the number of vacancies.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2018

35193

1.9 %

RISE

2023

35852

  United Kingdom

2018

351904

2.8 %

RISE

2023

361665

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• able to get on well with people from all backgrounds and of all ages
• a good communicator
• able to encourage and motivate patients
• patient, understanding and tactful
• interested in exercise
• able to work alone or as part of a team
• able to keep accurate records.

Training

• Training is usually on the job, supervised by an experienced physiotherapist.
• You may be able to study for Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Social Services and Health Care.

Getting On

• With training, you may be able to move into a supervisory job.
• You might also be able to become an assistant practitioner (advanced physiotherapy assistant).

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.