Work experience for physiotherapy

Hi everybody ! I am currently a year 12 student doing chem, bio and psych and I have literally just figured out that I want to pursue physiotherapy or anatomy & physiology in uni.

I am aware that physio therapy is a competitive course and having work experience in my CV would be amazing. However my school doesn’t have a week off for work experience non they have mentioned it at all, so I’m now just looking for work experience by myself. Would it be too late to even find one now as it is near summer already. What work experience or where could I possibly get work experience from if I want to do physiotherapy and would not doing any work experience affect my personal statement? I am also volunteering in the Salvation Army as well.

Thank you so much !!

Reply 1

eriksks

13

Hi,
Pursuing any sort of work experience where you build the skills needed for physiotherapy will help; it doesn't have to be directly related (it helps of course) but it isn't essential, universities will understand there is only so much you can do at your age
A job that tests your patience, builds communication, strategical thinking, anything really
Volunteering also looks very good, so that's a good choice

Not doing work experience doesn't necessarily damage your personal statement, it could just make you seem to be a less desirable pick of all applicants depending on the applicant pool you're in
If you can get work experience, absolutely do try I think just about any entry-level job will provide you with what you need granted you link it back to the degree in your PS, but don't think it's the end of the world if it doesn't work out that way :smile:

Reply 2

Shuiki

OP

3

Thank you so much! I really needed that* I was wondering would u think that finding a job in like pharmacies or just clinics ( anything medical related would benefit ?) again thank you so so so much for replying I really really needed that bc I was quite anxious about this *Also I’m so sorry about this but would it be possible if I ask u more questions in UCAS applications and because I have some other questions regarding physiotherapy. You don’t need to do that but THANK U SO SO MUCH!

Reply 3

eriksks

13

Original post by Shuiki

Thank you so much! I really needed that* I was wondering would u think that finding a job in like pharmacies or just clinics ( anything medical related would benefit ?) again thank you so so so much for replying I really really needed that bc I was quite anxious about this *Also I’m so sorry about this but would it be possible if I ask u more questions in UCAS applications and because I have some other questions regarding physiotherapy. You don’t need to do that but THANK U SO SO MUCH!

Yes that’s absolutely fine, I don’t mind answering any questions 😁

Reply 4

Shuiki

OP

3

Original post by eriksks

Yes that’s absolutely fine, I don’t mind answering any questions 😁

Hello ! Sorry for the late reply I have just finished mocks but would you think that it would be nice to include in my personal statement that i have 2 grade 8s in music and another grade in another music instrument. im not sure would these be relevant to physiotherapy but would this benefit me in any. way or make me standout ? So sorry for these questions they might seem a bit stupid😭
do you think that it would also stand out a bit if i mention im the head girl and have obtained some conversational skills some sort? Thank you so much !

Reply 5

McGinger

20

Original post by Shuiki

Hello ! Sorry for the late reply I have just finished mocks but would you think that it would be nice to include in my personal statement that i have 2 grade 8s in music and another grade in another music instrument. im not sure would these be relevant to physiotherapy but would this benefit me in any. way or make me standout ? So sorry for these questions they might seem a bit stupid😭
do you think that it would also stand out a bit if i mention im the head girl and have obtained some conversational skills some sort? Thank you so much !

No-one is going to be the slightest bit interested in your music exams.

Far more useful would be getting a job over the summer and into next year where you have to deal with people - especially people outside your comfort zone. A paid job in retail. hospitality is recommended and some volunteer work in a care-home, special school etc etc.

Short, free, online course - Healthcare Professional: Online Work Related Learning - FutureLearn
NHS Values - The NHS values | Health Careers
Application tips and work experience | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)

Reply 6

eriksks

13

Original post by Shuiki

Hello ! Sorry for the late reply I have just finished mocks but would you think that it would be nice to include in my personal statement that i have 2 grade 8s in music and another grade in another music instrument. im not sure would these be relevant to physiotherapy but would this benefit me in any. way or make me standout ? So sorry for these questions they might seem a bit stupid😭
do you think that it would also stand out a bit if i mention im the head girl and have obtained some conversational skills some sort? Thank you so much !

Sorry for the late reply! I took a little hiatus from TSR, I'm back now. You can definitely include it, especially the instrument if it's one that improves your dexterity e.g. piano (arguably a lot of them do tbh) and link it to how dexterity is important in your role as a physiotherapist. Ultimately, you can include ANYTHING as long as you link it to a quality that's expected in the profession, or how it's something that's shaped you as a person that you'll bring into your career.
Yes to the final part too. I was student governor in my college, and made that a focal point in my PS when I applied to medicine. You're going to be in a talkative role, it's best to show that skill since everyone will talk about it :smile:

Reply 7

eriksks

13

Original post by Shuiki

Thank you so much! I really needed that* I was wondering would u think that finding a job in like pharmacies or just clinics ( anything medical related would benefit ?) again thank you so so so much for replying I really really needed that bc I was quite anxious about this *Also I’m so sorry about this but would it be possible if I ask u more questions in UCAS applications and because I have some other questions regarding physiotherapy. You don’t need to do that but THANK U SO SO MUCH!

If you do wish to get some work experience, don't focus directly on getting in-person work in a clinic or anything of that sort, if anything I'd push for online webinars (you can use Eventbrite to find free and not-so-free seminars online or in-person) or volunteering. You can find emails to contact your local hospital for volunteering opportunities, I'd suggest doing that ASAP if you're looking to secure some somewhere, or emailing/phoning up/showing up in person to pharmacies or something with a CV. They're lousy at replying in all instances, and the volunteer person I emailed didn't actually finalise my hospital placement which was lovely (not).
Work experience for physiotherapy isn't necessarily essential but I do believe it'll expose you to the sort of environment you'll be in (to a degree) but don't work yourself up about getting it, it's honestly fine.

Keep the questions coming, I don't mind helping at all

Reply 8

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by Shuiki

Hi everybody ! I am currently a year 12 student doing chem, bio and psych and I have literally just figured out that I want to pursue physiotherapy or anatomy & physiology in uni.
I am aware that physio therapy is a competitive course and having work experience in my CV would be amazing. However my school doesn’t have a week off for work experience non they have mentioned it at all, so I’m now just looking for work experience by myself. Would it be too late to even find one now as it is near summer already. What work experience or where could I possibly get work experience from if I want to do physiotherapy and would not doing any work experience affect my personal statement? I am also volunteering in the Salvation Army as well.
Thank you so much !!

For healthcare courses unis want to see two things - shadowing experience to show that you understand the role, and public-facing work/volunteering experience to show that you can communicate with the general public.

Contact your local hospital and ask for a day of shadowing (not work) experience in the physiotherapy department. Also contact some private practices and ask for shadowing experience there too.

Any public-facing work/volunteering experience will strengthen your application (charity shop, retail, cafe/restaurants, etc.) but if you can get experience in a care setting that is even better.

For your personal statement, know the NHS values and 6 Cs and reflect on what you have learnt during your work/volunteering experience. There is good advice on developing a PS for a vocational course in the following thread:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6666418

https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/en/nhs-staffing-pool-hub/working-in-healthcare/what-are-the-nhs-values https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/nhs-staffing-pool-hub/working-in-healthcare/the-6-cs-of-care

Original post by Shuiki

Hi everybody ! I am currently a year 12 student doing chem, bio and psych and I have literally just figured out that I want to pursue physiotherapy or anatomy & physiology in uni.
I am aware that physio therapy is a competitive course and having work experience in my CV would be amazing. However my school doesn’t have a week off for work experience non they have mentioned it at all, so I’m now just looking for work experience by myself. Would it be too late to even find one now as it is near summer already. What work experience or where could I possibly get work experience from if I want to do physiotherapy and would not doing any work experience affect my personal statement? I am also volunteering in the Salvation Army as well.
Thank you so much !!

Hi Shuiki,

My name is Siobhan and I am a third year physiotherapist at the University of Central Lancashire, and it's so great that you're looking at doing this course!! I was in a similar situation as you at that time of the year so don't worry you are not alone in this. I would recommend looking at online opportunities of work experiences such as online seminars and other physio tools! If you can look at any clinical experience in the next couple month then that will definitely be a bonus.

The main thing to get across in your personal statement is demonstrating skills of teamwork, communication and leadership and then linking this to your knowledge of the profession. It's all about those transferable skills that you get from other experiences such as volunteering at the Salvation Army 🙂 Also look at DoFe or NCS if you have done this as it again widens your experience on your profile.

To round it up, I would definitely get someone to proof read your personal statement at the end, and if your school has a career advisor then take all the benefits from that!

You can look at my uni page for an example of what the course is like and have a think about how you can relate your experiences to that! Best of luck and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask anytime!

https://www.uclan.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/physiotherapy-bsc

Siobhan (Physiotherapy student at UCLAN)

Work experience for physiotherapy

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