This varied role will generally be broken down into the following areas:

• Stroke services
• Occupational Health
• Orthopaedics
• Intensive care
• Women’s health
• Mental health and learning disability services

A physiotherapist will treat a range of conditions after a patient’s diagnosis, including neurological (Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s, for example) and cardiovascular (heart disease or heart attack rehabilitation). They also treat neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, Arthritis or sports injuries) and respiratory conditions (Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

It’s the role of the physiotherapist to develop and review treatment programmes, which draw upon a range of techniques incorporating exercise and movement.

If you’re currently looking at physical therapist jobs, it’s important that you have an empathetic and compassionate nature. Interpersonal skills are essential for a physiotherapist, as they’re required to build patients’ trust when working closely with them.

Why become a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapy is a key component of the modern NHS. An increased demand for improved quality of life requires better promotion of healthy and active lifestyles. It’s an exciting time to work in healthcare, especially for physiotherapists, who can take the lead and provide great patient care.

That said, physiotherapy isn’t limited to working within the NHS. You could find yourself working as a team physio at a sports club, or working in private practice. It’s a career that provides multiple varied paths.

There are also plenty of opportunities for progression. Once qualified, you can join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), and you might choose to specialise in one particular area, such as working with children or concentrating on sports injuries. You might follow the management route, perhaps even set up your own clinic. Maybe you’ll even use your qualifications to teach physiotherapy.