Graduate Placements

The shortage of junior physiotherapy posts in the NHS has been well covered in the national media in recent months:

• Few jobs for physio graduates – BBC News
• Stressed Physios in fight to find NHS jobs – Times Online
• No NHS jobs for more than 9 out of 10 graduate Physios – CSP Website

This has led to newly qualified physiotherapists unable to practice and, as a result, their skills and knowledge left un-used and wasted.  Historically, the vast majority of new graduates find employment in the NHS as it has always provided an excellent environment to gain a breadth of experience in a number of specialities.  These junior opportunities have now dried up leaving new physios with little opportunity to commence their chosen career.  To make matters more challenging, failure to practice for a 2 year period after qualification requires the physiotherapist to undertake additional training before they are considered fit to practice by the governing Health Professions Council.

Following consultation with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Health Professions Council, The Physios have decided to respond to this need by being among the first private practices in the UK to offer part-time, voluntary Graduate Placements, where junior Physios can gain access to the clinical environment, work alongside a specialist physiotherapist and participate in examination, problem-solving and clinical diagnosis, management planning and treatment.  We believe that the experience our team can offer will be invaluable in maintaining and developing the clinical skills of the newly qualified physiotherapist whilst they wait for a permanent position in the hospital environment.

We should make clear that this is primarily an observatory role as we cannot allow junior physios to treat our patients independently as we insist on a minimum of 5 years post-graduate experience to join our team.

If you are interested in applying for a Graduate Placement, please send your CV along with a personal statement, stating why you would like to be considered. All applications will be considered and selection will be made by interview.  Please note that you must be CSP and HPC registered.

Afterall, you've got to start somewhere....