Physiotherapy assistant

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Subjects include:

• healthcare support
• health and social care
• instructing exercise and fitness
• sport and exercise science
• T Level in Health

Most health and social care courses include work placements, which is a good way for you to get practical experience.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You can apply to do an apprenticeship in a healthcare setting like a hospital. These include:

• Health and Social Care Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Health and Social Care Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 8 months and 2 years and combine on-the-job training with study.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job, then move into physiotherapy work through further training and promotion.

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it .

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from working in a healthcare or sports and exercise setting.

Some employers may ask for a qualification in healthcare and GCSE subjects like maths and English.

Career Tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a physiotherapy assistant from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Health Careers .

As a physiotherapy assistant, you could:

• speak to patients about their treatment plan
• help patients prepare for therapy sessions
• demonstrate and work through exercises with patients
• show patients how to use mobility aids and prosthetic devices
• monitor and record patients' progress
• track stocks of medical supplies and equipment
• work closely with physiotherapists and other health professionals

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or at a client's home.

You may need to wear a uniform.