Physiotherapy Job Propects

frogg

I'm very interested in becoming a physio but just a bit concerned about the job prospects, especially in sports physio. Everyones seems to think that there are no jobs in Ireland at the mo. Is this true? I'd like to hear from newly qualified physios and their experience job hunting. Is anyone out there actually getting employed? Will this be the case for the next few years?

Also, what is the starting salary for a newly qualified physio? and how much could you expect to earn after 5/10 years?

And finally, to work as a sports physio, how many years experience in hostpitals, clinics etc would you need before you could setup your own practice?

Thanks in advance

frogg

I may have directed this at grads by mistake. I would appreciate a reply from anyone in the know...

RacoonQueen

Hi Frogg,

A few new graduates are heading overseas at the moment, Singapore seems to be the place to go at the moment due to the opportunities being offered there. At the same time, new grads are more likely to be employed than people who graduated in recent years and haven't been doing clinical work. A good number of 2010 graduates have managed to find short term work in hospitals in Ireland. Where I work we have 5 or 6 at one point.

With HSE cutbacks and anticipated budget cuts again this year it's likely that getting work in hospitals is going to be tough for a few years yet. There are other employment opportunities for physios after graduation though, such as in research or working with the ISCP, aswell as employment opportunities abroad, if you go ahead to study Physio your college will give you advice on this. There's always work in clinics, and you can set up your own clinic straight away if you like, there is no timescale on it.

The starting salary in the public service for a Physio is just over 37,000 a year I think, although, this is likely to go down, again, in the budget. Pay goes up every year for 5 years - the pay of a Senior Physio and again a Clinical Specialist is higher. There are opportunities out there. In a clinic you tend to earn a % of the amount of clients you see on a daily basis.

Hope this helps. It's tough out there in any line of work, no matter what degree or qualifications you have so if you do REALLY want it. Go for it.

karlitob

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Hi Frogg,

A few new graduates are heading overseas at the moment, Singapore seems to be the place to go at the moment due to the opportunities being offered there. At the same time, new grads are more likely to be employed than people who graduated in recent years and haven't been doing clinical work. A good number of 2010 graduates have managed to find short term work in hospitals in Ireland. Where I work we have 5 or 6 at one point.

With HSE cutbacks and anticipated budget cuts again this year it's likely that getting work in hospitals is going to be tough for a few years yet. There are other employment opportunities for physios after graduation though, such as in research or working with the ISCP, aswell as employment opportunities abroad, if you go ahead to study Physio your college will give you advice on this. There's always work in clinics, and you can set up your own clinic straight away if you like, there is no timescale on it.

The starting salary in the public service for a Physio is just over 37,000 a year I think, although, this is likely to go down, again, in the budget. Pay goes up every year for 5 years - the pay of a Senior Physio and again a Clinical Specialist is higher. There are opportunities out there. In a clinic you tend to earn a % of the amount of clients you see on a daily basis.

Hope this helps. It's tough out there in any line of work, no matter what degree or qualifications you have so if you do REALLY want it. Go for it.

Hey Frogg,

As you may know there's been a jobs crisis in physio since 2006 - before the recession. The Bacon Report in 2001 recommended an increase in therapy places - hence increased classes in UCD, TCD and new schools in RCSI and UL. Of course, being short-sighted, the government didn't increase the number of physio posts.

There are new graduates working with me. Its as difficult as any profession at the moment to get a job in. However, you're qualifications are very transferrable around the world. Singapore, NZ, Oz, Canada - of course there's a process to enter these places but ask any physio qualified 15 years and they all spent the first part of their career abroad as jobs were tough to come by here during the 80's.

I disagree about working with the ISCP. Seeing as there are 150 graduates every year and 5 people working in the office - I wouldn't be hedging my bets on getting offers from there. Pay starts at 38,000 and goes up in 1000E increments EVERY year up to a 10 point max, ie yearly or 10 years. the seniors start at 48 and the clinical specialists at approx 58 - again 10 point scales apply with a lon service increment if you are at the top increment for 3 years.

I agree with Racoon - go for it if you really want it. Its a great job.

runman

Hi,
Just spotted this thread
Anybody have an idea of the kind of salaries working conditions and costs involved in living in singapore. I will be graduating soon and would consider singapore if the terms were ok.

Any information greatly appreciated. Cheers.

bubbleking

The vast vast majority of physios I know who qualified in the last couple of years are unemployed - lots of them do some private work to keep themselves ticking over but nothing too substantial to be honest. There are those who have gone abroad to find work which seems good.

It would be pretty sweet to get a full time position but they are pretty hard to come by and dont forget all public sector pay is being cut in the budget (well more than likely) so I wouldnt expect to earn anything near what the current crop are when you graduate in 4 years

yit

If you haven't even started Physiotherapy yet then I wouldn't particularly worry about job prospects at this current time. You're 4/5 years away from qualifying and if you want to do an M.Sc then that could be another couple of years too.

It's a great and rewarding profession that is globally recognised

frogg

Do private practices normally hire graduates or would you have to gain a few years experience firstly?

Larianne

Experience where?

I've spoken to two graduates who got work in private practices straight after graduation (in the past ~2 years).

frogg

I always thought you needed experience in hospitals (rotations) before you could get a job in a private clinic. It appears I'm wrong.

What kind of work did your friends get? Was it full-time?

Larianne

frogg wrote: »

I always thought you needed experience in hospitals (rotations) before you could get a job in a private clinic. It appears I'm wrong.

What kind of work did your friends get? Was it full-time?

It might depend on the clinic, I'm not sure.

These physios I met when I was on a course and also when on placement. One went to Australia and gained employment in a clinic there and then on return to Ireland works in to clinics (owned by the same company). The other physio got work in a clinic after qualifying. Not sure if it was full or part time work.

yit

Frogg I think you should just go for it if you think it's for you. Whether you work in a hospital or a clinic just after qualifying is a bit irrelevant for yourself at the moment, being a physio is being a physio, no matter what clinical environment you are in. To answer your question though, to get a job in a clinic will usually require you to be a specialist in a certain area (e.g. to work in a sports medicine clinic you will need to have done physiotherapy for 4 years and then specialised in sports physiotherapy). However, a lot of masters programs require 1-2 years of experience, which will in most cases have been in the hospital immediately post qualification. The problem these days is that physio's are finding it difficult to gain that initial employment, which I'm sure I will encounter in May when I myself qualify. Hope that helps

barrymanilow

Hi I thought I would post here rather than start a new thread .

I am very interested in applying for a graduate entry physiotherapy course . I was wondering if the job scene in Ireland has improved muchsince this thread was started.

Thanks in advance ,

Barry

karlitob

barrymanilow wrote: »

Hi I thought I would post here rather than start a new thread .

I am very interested in applying for a graduate entry physiotherapy course . I was wondering if the job scene in Ireland has improved muchsince this thread was started.

Thanks in advance ,

Barry

Hi Barry
Congrats on considering a career in physiotherapy. It is very rewarding and I love it.

Jobs are a challenge. There is currently a national panel for all staff grades - which is currently in place so unless you're on it - you can't be offered a post. All HSE hospitals must take ataff grades from this panel - unless it's a 'specified purpose' - this means short term maternity cover. No one takes this as it takes them off the panel and back to the end of the line. Contact HSE HR in manorhamilton to ask them how long do they think the panel will last for. Then double it.

There's a similar panel for senior but you're not here yet.

But the voluntary hospitals hire people directly - and there's lots to learn there. St. James's, Mater, Beaumont etc.

Don't be afraid to travel - there's a lot of jobs in NHS scotland and the NHS. They're not paid as well but cost of living can be cheaper. What you'll learn would be fantastic - they're much more tuned in than we are in Ireland. I'd pick a well known trust. Nottingham for instance.

There are lots more you can do with your degree - further education but I'm not a fan of that. You need to learn your trade.

If you're thinking of graduate entry then you must be thinking of UL - fanatic faculty down there. They really are good. Don't forget your training on the UK - I believe Robert Gordon Univeristy and Queens in Scotland are great. I've heard wonderful things about studying there.

My regret is probably not working abroad. Straight from college to a hospital. Learned lots but could've been broader.
If I can help anymore - let me know.

IronStones

Is there much hassle involved in getting to work in the US or canada?

are there many unemployed physios out there currently?

karlitob

IronStones wrote: »

Is there much hassle involved in getting to work in the US or canada?

Same as every other country for a healthcare professional (and other professionals). Typically - there is a state board which recognises your qualifications. Its a paper-based exercise though some states may require an exam (some places in Canada - I think Quebec does). It is hassle - it can be costly - and you can only work in that state. But its the same for them coming here.

IronStones wrote: »

are there many unemployed physios out there currently?

Nope - none that I know of!