Tattooed physiotherapists

[Zografidis Petros]

Dear people of the forum,

I am a 2nd year physiotherapy student in Semmelweis University of Budapest and I would like your opinion on something that really concerns me.
We mostly work with our hands and I want to have a tattoo on my forearm.
I need to know if this will cause any difficulties on finding a job at hospitals/clinics etc and what employers and patients
think of a tattooed physiotherapist in general.
Do you have any personal experiences or have you ever heard of a physiotherapist that got rejected from a job because of his tattoos?
What is your opinion?

Thanks in advance,
Petros.

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[juliej]

I have a tattoo on the back of my arm, above the elbow which can be seen when I'm wearing my tunic. I've never mentioned it in an interview and staff have never asked me to hide it. Its quite large but not offensive. I was told when I was a student that tattoo's should be covered at all times so I took in a tubigrip bandage to hide it on my very first placement but didn't end up using it for any of them, including when I did hydro and have another on my leg which no one was concerned about.

Having said this, patients have mentioned it, particularly elderly ones, some who say things like 'uuurgh why do you have a tattoo, they're awful' Or 'women shouldn't get tattoo's' Or 'why have you ruined your skin' etc etc.....I simply respond that I understand tattoo's are not for everyone and you are entitled to your own opinion, however it does not effect my ability to provide effect therapy.

Hope that helps with your decision.

JJ

[SPPAWA]

Imagine needing to hire an associate therapist and that there are 2 identical, in all aspects of performance, save a visible tatoo job candidates applying for a position. Do you think it would be in the interest of the practice owner to risk having your tattoo potentially offend some of his/her clients? Or do you think there is some population of all practices patients which feel that more confident in the hands of a tatooed therapist? If it is something very important to you, I would highly recommend you put it in a place less visable. Hope that helps.

[violablue]

Interestingly, I'll give you the reverse situation. Various clients of mine have tattoos. Some are lovely (the tattoos), some are not so lovely. Some are hidden to most people, some are not. I often find, unless the work is spectacular or of emotional importance (connection to 1 or more loved ones), people often apologize for their tattoos having outgrown them. And many have tried to 'fix' a tattoo with a more elaborate tattoo.

I myself always planned to get one, but never did. And find I'm now happy with that decision. I don't see that I'd change that unless I want to commemorate an important event with friends or family. For instance, some of my friends with cancer in the family have family tattoos signifying family remembrance or recovery.

And, also, the visible. I have a really conservative friend who planted a tattoo squarely on her wrist. She suffered carpal tunnel syndrome as a result for a short time. And she now wears a really big watch in clinic! LOL.

[Fyzzio]

Imagine needing to hire an associate therapist and that there are 2 identical, in all aspects of performance, save a visible tatoo job candidates applying for a position. Do you think it would be in the interest of the practice owner to risk having your tattoo potentially offend some of his/her clients?

And what else would be on that list of 'potentially offending clients'?
Applicants biting their fingernails, having dreadlocks, wearing a pendant with a cross, wearing a head scarf, dark skin colour, white skin colour, a foreign accent?

I find your way of thinking rather appauling.

But, maybe that is because I live in a country where about a third of the population has got tatoos ... and nobody understands why this should offend anyone; it's rather an interesting way of starting a conversation...

[juliej]

And what else would be on that list of 'potentially offending clients'?
Applicants biting their fingernails, having dreadlocks, wearing a pendant with a cross, wearing a head scarf, dark skin colour, white skin colour, a foreign accent?

I find your way of thinking rather appauling.

But, maybe that is because I live in a country where about a third of the population has got tatoos ... and nobody understands why this should offend anyone; it's rather an interesting way of starting a conversation...

Exactly! Thanks Fyzzio, if a potential employer judged me for a tattoo I have rather than my level of clinical practice, they're are not the type of people I would wish to work with.

[Sports_Rx]

And what else would be on that list of 'potentially offending clients'?
Applicants biting their fingernails, having dreadlocks, wearing a pendant with a cross, wearing a head scarf, dark skin colour, white skin colour, a foreign accent?

I find your way of thinking rather appauling.

But, maybe that is because I live in a country where about a third of the population has got tatoos ... and nobody understands why this should offend anyone; it's rather an interesting way of starting a conversation...

Agree! Body art is a personal choice and doesn't affect anyone's ability to provide therapy. I have my dog's paw print tattooed on my inner wrist Might be different if it said 'I kill people' !

[estherderu]

dear everyone,

This discussion is one of these examples of where age and culture makes a huge difference in perception.
I know that you find tattoes everywhere in Australia and New Zealand, but it is not common practice in many other countries.
It can be popular under young people but not under the older folks.
It is certainly not always consided a wise thing to do in some countries (if you want to be a health professional).

I think we need to take this into account without being judgemental.
With my background (Dutch, grew up in Australia, lived in Holland, Australia and Spain) I have to say that
I find many tattoes very ugly but that is my personal opinion.
I know my kids will probably have them at a certain point in time and I do prefer them to piercings in tongues or bellybutton (on medical grounds).

If I had to choose between two equal candidates (being the potential boss) it is highly probably that it could make the difference.

I know of cases that people with a tattoe are asked to conceal it, people with piercings are asked to remove them during their work and I must say (OK I am an old bird)
I am one of the people that has no problem asking this of a healthprofessional. It is a question of personal taste and the culture.

So Petros,
What is normal in your country?
If very few people find tattoes acceptable, it might be wise to consider putting your tattoe in a place the patients will never see.
If it is common practice in your country, it should be acceptable.
You have to feel comfortable with your tattoe.

One thing to consider for the future....I have seen a number of very old tattoes on very old skin and they change.
I have seen the results of tattoes that have been removed and the scars can be ugly.

Esther

[Fyzzio]

Hi Esther,
I totally agree with your comments about culture and advise for Petros.

As an employer, however, being confronted with 2 perfectly identically qualified candidates for one position, I would search for hidden talents and yet undicovered potential rather than judge by physical appearance.

Regards,
Fyzzio

[estherderu]

Hi Fyzzio,

I can relate to what you mean.
We also have to keep in mind what the patients opinion is in this matter as well.
The first impression you/they get is often long lasting.
And that of course is again dependent on age and culture

I have met some wonderful people full of tattoes and piercings and they could very well be the best professionals in the world.
At this moment in time and in many countries however their appearance might cause some hassle.
As an employer I would have to think of the opinion of my clients as well.

kind regards

Esther

[Gilmed]

I think this is also very much a question of the target group. Young people are more likely to accept physios who are tattooed. And it also depends on the tattoos itself. If a physio has tattoos over parts of his or her body which can be covered easily, I would probably advise him or her to wear specific clothes or so.