How to become a physiotherapy support worker
Apply for a vacancy on our recruitment website or do a Modern Apprenticeship to become a physiotherapy support worker in the NHS.
What is a physiotherapy support worker?
Being able to move functionally is an essential part of what it means to be healthy. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in enabling functional movement and helping people to improve their health.
Physiotherapy support workers work alongside physiotherapists to improve the quality of people’s lives. They work to maintain, restore, and improve the patient’s function and movement.
Starting your career as a physiotherapy support worker
Choosing subjects at school
To become a physiotherapy support worker, you'll need a good standard of education. There are no specific entry requirements, but useful subjects include:
- Science
- English
- Maths
Speak to your guidance teacher about subjects offered at your school.
Work placements and volunteering
You may find it helpful to get some healthcare experience by doing a work placement or volunteering. You’ll get training, increase your knowledge, and learn new skills. This could help you when applying to university, college or a new job with NHSScotland.
Modern Apprenticeships
A Modern Apprenticeship will help you get the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to reach your career goal.
Learn about the Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support.
All Healthcare Support Modern Apprentices study 3 mandatory units:
- communication
- health and safety
- learning development
You'll choose your remaining units from the clinical pathway options for physiotherapy.
Get to know the role
As a physiotherapy support worker, you’ll support physiotherapists in helping patients restore their mobility and improve movement.
You’ll work with people of all ages with a range of medical conditions including:
- multiple sclerosis
- back pain
- neck injuries
- sports injuries
- arthritis
- stroke
- mental health problems
Tasks include:
- set up equipment
- show patients how to use mobility aids
- help patients prepare for treatment
- work on exercises with patients
- write reports and updating patient records
You’ll also use gym equipment, including cross-trainers, treadmills, and exercise bikes.
You'll need these skills:
- caring
- communicating
- motivating people
- problem-solving
- relationship-building
Physiotherapy support workers work with other healthcare professionals, including:
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- nurses
- orthopaedic surgeons
- prosthetists
- orthotists
You could work in:
- health centres
- a person’s own home
- nursing homes
- day centres
- schools
- hospital outpatient departments
Learning and development
When joining the NHS, you will work through the Mandatory Induction Standards. These standards are designed to help you work safely and must be completed within the first 3 to 6 months of employment.
You may also be encouraged while in the post to work towards further education qualifications. These may include:
Career development
Getting experience as a healthcare support worker can be very helpful if you decide you want to go to university and study to become a registered physiotherapist.
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