Working in the UK

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Introduction

There are four main sectors to work in within the UK; The National Health Service (NHS), Private sector, Charity and Sports.

The NHS

The NHS system has rotational and static physiotherapist posts. The rotational post aim for a therapist to gain further experience in the main areas within physiotherapy and can vary from 4 months to 6 months depending on Trusts. However, there are some key differences which need to be taken into account when applying for work in the UK which are as follows:

1. There is a Banding system within the NHS which indicates level of experience as well as pay
2. The recruitment process within the NHS
3. Joining the Health Care and Professionals Council (HCPC)
4. Joining a Union such as The Chartered Society for Physiotherapy or Unison

Pay

Also NHS jobs are advertised with a Banding which equates to a pay level which are currently changing at the beginning of April with each financial year for up to date details visit NHSPay. This may differ between the Four countries.

Banding

Band 2 Clinical Support Worker (Physiotherapy)

Band 3 Clinical Support Worker Higher Level (physiotherapy)

Band 4

Band 5 Physiotherapist

Band 6 Physiotherapist Specialist

Band 7 Physiotherapist Advanced / Specialist Physiotherapist / Physiotherapy Team Manager

Band 8A Physiotherapist Principal

Band 8A – 8B Physiotherapist Consultant

Joining the NHS:

Job hunting
Each department is responsible for its own recruitment of staff. The vast majority of employers now advertise their job vacancies on NHS Jobs the online recruitment website for jobs within the NHS.
Vacancies in the NHS are shared with Jobcentre Plus and you will be able to access details through your local Jobcentre.

Making applications
When employers are advertising job vacancies, they will produce a job description (an outline of the job, including a summary of the main tasks and responsibilities) and a person specification (the type of person they wish to attract, including essential and desirable criteria). These are available for each job on NHS Jobs.
Job vacancies are usually filled through open competition, so you need to ensure that you read the job description and person specification fully, before making your application. In order to be short listed (invited for interview) for a position, candidates must meet at least all the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Pre-employment checks
Your new employer will carry out a series of pre-employment checks before you are able to start work.
• Verification of identity: The employer will request a combination of photographic and non-photographic documents to verify your identity.
• Right to work checks: Most overseas nationals who do not live in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA), but want to work in the UK, will be required to provide evidence of a sponsor and have a valid certificate of sponsorship. It is the responsibility of the UK employer to issue you with a certificate of sponsorship.
• Qualification checks: Qualifications relevant to the position you have applied for will be verified once a job offer is made.
• Registration checks: Before appointing a health professional, the employer will check whether you are registered with the relevant regulatory body and whether any special conditions apply. Please see the website links section for contact details of your relevant professional body. They have in-depth information about registration for each profession.
• Disclosure and Barring Service checks: Employers will ask for a DBS check to work within the NHS, with charities or the majority of the private sector. The DBS check will reveal if an individual has a criminal record. The employer will then make an informed decision on whether or not to appoint that individual.
• Reference checks: In order to check previous employment history, References will be requested by the employer with your consent. They should be obtained in writing by an appropriate person,
• Occupational health checks: Each NHS employer will give staff an occupational health check. This is to ensure that you are fit for work and so that your employer can provide you with any adaptations for you to do your job, for example ensuring that you are up to date with your vaccinations.

HCPC:

The Health and Care Professionals Council is the regulatory body for most Allied Healthcare professional within the UK. To work within the UK you must meet their competency standards and pay to be registered with them.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Useful Links:

Health and Care Professionals Council

Health Careers

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)