Physiotherapy assistant
Helping clients recover from injuries or managing a condition that causes a lack of movement, this is a vital role that supports physiotherapists.
Helping clients recover from injuries or managing a condition that causes a lack of movement, this is a vital role that supports physiotherapists.
Even on the days when II came off my motorbike six months ago and broke both legs quite badly, which meant I needed several operations and a lot of physio. Luckily, I’ve had amazing help from my physiotherapist assistant Rebecca.
Rebecca is like my own personal cheerleader! She is always smiling, always supportive. We sit and talk through my exercises before I do them so that I know what to expect. Physio is tough, but it always feels a bit more manageable if I can understand how the exercises are helping me reach my goal - to get walking again.
Rebecca is also a great listener and really patient with me. Some days I just feel like I’ll never get there but she never makes me feel like I’m complaining. I wasn’t great at sharing my feelings before the accident, but she’s really helped me see why it’s important not to bottle them up.
I’m determined to get back on my feet and even on the days when I don’t believe I’ll walk again unaided, Rebecca does. I don’t want to let her down.
Knowing howI’m part of a team that has been working with Sam for a couple of months and it’s an absolute joy to see the progress he’s made.
He has bad days when the pain gets a bit much or he feels as though he’s not progressing as fast as he’d like and that can be heartbreaking to watch. But knowing how determined he is to get walking again spurs me on to keep helping him achieve his daily goals in order to reach the big one.
Lately, I’ve been working with him on some relaxation techniques to help him manage his pain. That’s one of the things I like most about this role – it pushes me to learn more about how the body and mind work.
I love working with other people and get a lot of joy out of knowing that what I do for them makes a fundamental difference to their lives. I am always in awe of the determination that clients like Sam show and you get such a buzz when you see someone make a breakthrough in their physio.
Becoming a physiotherapy assistant requires a bit of training, but it is the perfect option for anyone with these characteristics:
Physio clients have often been through a lot in their lives and will find some days mentally tougher than others, so this job suits someone who is patient, kind and a good listener.
Strong communications skills are a must – your client will rely on you to help them understand their treatment and any additional support.
This role also suits someone who likes to learn – the more you understand the body and how physio can help a client, the more you can guide them through the process.
You’ll be working with different clients throughout the day, so it helps to have good organisational and time management skills.
This can be a really active role, so it will help if you’re physically fit and willing to get hands-on with clients.
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Find out moreWant to help people restore movement and prevent injury? Read on to find out what skills you need to be a physiotherapy assistant, and useful advice about the industry.
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