Riccarton High School
Physiotherapist Kairomiromi
Physiotherapists help people regain movement and function after they have been affected by an injury, disability or health condition. They also give advice on how to prevent injuries.
Physiotherapists need to be registered with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board and have a current Annual Practising Certificate.
Physiotherapists may do some or all of the following:
- assess and diagnose patients' injuries or functional problems, and decide on treatment
- use a range of treatments to reduce pain and improve movement
- plan exercises for patients to improve their strength and fitness
- keep records of patients' progress
- educate people on how to prevent further injury
- help rehabilitate people who have suffered from strokes or accidents
- educate caregivers and family about the patient's physiotherapy programme.
To specialise in a particular area of physiotherapy, such as working with older adults, you need to complete a:
- portfolio assessment
- practical clinical assessment
- panel review with The New Zealand Physiotherapy Board.
Physical Requirements
Physiotherapists need to be reasonably fit and healthy as they treat injuries and diseases using physical methods such as massage, movement and exercise.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for physiotherapists includes:
- work as a nurse aide or physiotherapy assistant
- occupational health nursing
- counselling
- work as a personal trainer
- other work in the health sector.
Personal Qualities
Physiotherapists need to be:
- supportive and positive
- able to gain people's trust
- able to work well in a team
- good listeners and communicators
- able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
- good at planning and organising.
Skills
Physiotherapists need to have:
- knowledge of physiotherapy methods and equipment
- knowledge of the biomedical sciences, including anatomy, physiology and pathology
- understanding of movement, injuries and disabilities, and the ageing process
- skill in performing exercises and techniques that increase movement and flexibility, and reduce pain
- general knowledge of any medical conditions that may affect the treatment given.
Conditions
Physiotherapists:
- usually work regular business hours but may also work weekends and be on call
- work at various locations such as private and public practices, hospitals, sports training grounds, rehabilitation centres, community centres, and in patients' homes.
Subject Recommendations
You need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Useful subjects include physical education, health, biology, chemistry, physics and maths.
Related Subjects
Physiotherapists can earn around $64K-$99K per year.
Chances of getting a job as a Physiotherapist are good due to a shortage of people interested in this type of work.
Pay for physiotherapists varies depending on experience and responsibilities.
- Physiotherapists usually earn $64,000 to $99,000 a year.
- Physiotherapists can earn $48,000 to $119,000.
Pay for physiotherapists working in private practice depends on their experience and the success of their business.
Source: TEC research.
Physiotherapists may progress to:
- work in managerial positions
- work in teaching and research roles
- set up their own clinics.
Physiotherapists may specialise in areas such as:
- cardiorespiratory – diseases of the heart and lungs
- hand therapy – elbow-to-fingertip injuries
- musculoskeletal – injuries to bones and connective tissues
- neurology – disorders of the nervous system such as autism
- occupational health – promoting health and wellbeing at work
- paediatrics – helping children with a physical disability
- working with older adults – helping to increase movement and prevent or fix injury
- helping people to manage chronic pain – for example, from arthritis
- sports injuries.
Years Of Training
4 years of training required.You need a qualification to become a physiotherapist.
You need:
- a Bachelor of Physiotherapy OR a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- an Annual Practising Certificate
- to pass a police check.
You may need:
- a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) (Honours)
- a Master of Physiotherapy Practice.
- Auckland University of Technology (AUT) website - Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- University of Otago website - Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Wintec website - information about the Bachelor of Physiotherapy
The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
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