Home > Services > Physiotherapy Services > Working in Physiotherapy

Working in Physiotherapy

Working as a Physiotherapy at Addenbrooke's

There are 60 physiotherapy and 15 assistant staff, who are organised into four clinical teams:

• Medical Services: including services to General Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Adult Rehabilitation;
• Musculo-Skeletal Services
• Neurological Services: including services to Neurosurgery, Acute Neurology, Neuro-Oncology and Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU)
• Surgical Services: including services to General Surgery, Intensive Care, Transplant Unit, Orthopaedics (regional trauma and elective surgery units)

A clinical specialist in
Orthopaedics

The teams provide inpatient and outpatient services. There are also physiotherapists based in Children's Services (including the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit; PICU) and in Women's Health (Obstetrics and Gynaecology).

Each of the four teams is led by a superintendent physiotherapist who, together with the Manager of Physiotherapy Services, form the Physiotherapy Management Team. The Department is team based, and potential employees can benefit from senior and clinical specialist support in all teams.

What is continuous professional development (CPD)?

Addenbrooke's Physiotherapy Service places a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and continuous professional development through an active in-service training programme and a newly introduced CPD policy, which involves all staff. Several research physiotherapists are in post, and extended-scope practitioner and clinical teaching posts are being developed. Courses are regularly organised and accredited post-registration education is encouraged.

Clinical specialists in physiotherapy

A clinical specialist in
women's health,
demonstrating
the workings of the pelvis

Addenbrooke's has a number of new extended-scope physiotherapy practitioners who specialise in a particular clinical area including orthopaedics, rheumatology, women's health and neuro critical care. These practitioners work alongside medical/surgical consultants assessing patients and instigating appropriate management strategies (including physiotherapy treatment). This 'triage system' can reduce the waiting times for the clinics of consultant medical staff, which is much appreciated by patients. For example over two thirds of the patients who were initially seen by specialist physiotherapists in Rheumatology did not need to be referred to the medical/surgical consultants in clinic.

What qualifications are required to work as a physiotherapist at Addenbrooke's?

A physiotherapist employed by Addenbrooke's must have at least one of the following qualifications:

• (Desirable) Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) www.csp.org.uk
  
  
• (Necessary) State Registered Physiotherapist (SRP); Health Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org, which replaced the Council of Profession Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM), for physiotherapists who have overseas qualifications.

This ensures that they are properly qualified, governed by a professional code of conduct; and are covered by personal liability insurance.

What do staff wear?

At Addenbrooke's, qualified physiotherapists wear navy trousers and white tunics with a pale blue trim or polo shirts. Physiotherapy assistants are involved in helping physiotherapists treat patients, and also perform general support duties. They wear pale blue tunics or polo shirts. Students wear a plain white tunic with navy trousers Their instructor physiotherapist will introduce them as students in training.

What qualifications and training are necessary to become a physiotherapist?

New entrants to the physiotherapy profession must undertake a three- or four-year degree-based training course. In 2000, physiotherapy was the most popular university course in the country in terms of number of applicants per place. For further information request a careers guide by sending in a stamped, addressed A5 envelope to The Careers Adviser, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), 14 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED; or email your request to careersadviser@csphysio.org.uk, making sure that you include your full postal address and postcode.

What is the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy?

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 35,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. It can offer you information and advice about careers in physiotherapy or working as a physiotherapist in the UK after practising elsewhere:

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website: www.csp.org.uk

Do I need to join a register to work in the UK as a physiotherapist?

Moving to the UK to work as a physiotherapist can seem daunting. If you want to work in the National Health Service (NHS), you must register with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. The Council will need to be convinced that your training and skills match the expectations of the NHS. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has drawn up some guidance for those professionals who wish to make the move (see above).

The Health Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org, which replaced the Council of Profession Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM), for physiotherapists who have overseas qualifications.