Some advice please

[MdSmith]

Hello all

I'm considering a career change and would just like a little advice please. I previously worked as a university lecturer in another field (env sci) so it would be a big change.

If I trained to be a physio I would qualify around the age of 43. I guess this would not be a major barrier to employment in the UK(?). I have trained in hapkido before and so have some experience of joint manipulation. Apparently there will be high demand for physios in the future; how does this look on the ground in the UK? I was also wondering how easy is it to gain an NHS-funded place on a course in the first instance?

Cheers

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[Fyzzio]

Hi,
just my personal opinion.
You graduate at 43. Two years of Junior rotations makes you 45. Then you might decide to specialise in an area, e.g. Sports or Orthopaedics. Give it another two years until you have done the courses and got some work experience.
By then you will be 47. I presume doing your Masters or similar is completely out of the question.
Honestly - I wouldn't employ you. Sorry.

The Physio job situation in Britain (that is hearsay from friends who left over the last 2 years) is terrible and new grads struggle to find work where they want to be. But at least, they are still fairly mobile without any major responsibilities and move all over the UK.

Good luck,
Fyzzio

[David Kaufmann]

Hi.

I qualified last year at the age of 43, and in my experience there are no shortage of Band 5 rotational posts available. I had the same concerns about my age but was reassured by my tutors, and then by my own experiences, that age and the ability to communicate were far from negatives.

Money was one of the blocks I put in the way when a physiotherapy degree was suggested to me but at the very least your course fees will be paid, and I am led to believe that mature students are welcomed on all programmes.

I have pursued a career away from the NHS but would have no hesitation in saying go for it!

Brief but hopefully some help. Feel free to ask for any more info.

[MdSmith]

Many thanks Fyzzio and David for the useful replies.

David - that is helpful to know that you have managed to progress (and congrats with that). Would you say it is difficult to get onto the degree course in the first place? Did you have to demonstrate your commitment to a large extent e.g. previous voluntary work in healthcare/physio? Also, once you have the degree and some rotational experience are there many possibilities for permanent employment in NHS or private?

Thanks again.