How do I become a Physiotherapist?

Physiotherapy is a rewarding profession, where you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives by helping relieve pain and treat or prevent physical difficulties sustained through ageing, injury, disability, or illness.

There are multiple entry routes to becoming a Physiotherapist:

Undergraduate BSc Physiotherapy Honour’s Degree
NFQ Level 8 course plus MSc Physiotherapy university degree

CORU (the regulator for health and social care professionals) will provide you with information on approved qualifications within Ireland. If you are considering studying Physiotherapy abroad, please review this important guidance leaflet from CORU. Find out more about the entry routes on the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists website (ISCP) website, or by visiting the Careers Portal Website.

If you have qualified outside of Ireland, you will find further information here.

Physiotherapist working with a male patient

Your role with the HSE

Once qualified you will need to register with CORU, the regulatory body for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP) including Physiotherapists. Find out more on the CORU Website

Physiotherapists are part of a clinical workforce called Health & Social Care Professions (HSCP), who work together with medical and nursing colleagues as a team in the delivery of clinical, therapeutic and social care.

Physiotherapists are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan using evidence-based practice.

You could work in a variety of settings and teams: acute hospital wards, rehabilitation services, community settings including the patients’ home. You will also work closely with patients’ families and carers.

Physiotherapy has a number of areas within the discipline: Orthopaedics (bones – arthritis or fractures), paediatrics (children), neurology (brain or nervous system), respiratory (lungs and breathing), musculoskeletal (joints, bones and soft tissue pain and sports injuries), care of the older person (aging and frailty), cardiology (heart and cardiac rehab), disability (physical and intellectual), pelvic health and continence, occupational health, research and development.

Career progression

There are many ways for you to progress in your career:

Senior Physiotherapist
Specialise in a specific area, like orthopaedics, neurology, working with children
Move into training or management

Career Progression Pathway:

Clinical Pathway

Staff Physiotherapist
Senior Physiotherapist
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

Management Pathway

Physiotherapist Manager
Physiotherapist Manager in Charge III
Children’s Disability Network Manager

Educational Pathway

There are also opportunities available for education roles across the Health and Social Care Professions.

Further training and development

The HSCP Office is responsible for Leadership, Education and Continuing Professional Development of Physiotherapists working in the HSE.

HSELAND is the HSE portal that offers an array of training & development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom style setting. Information on Education and Development can be accessed by visiting the HSCP Hub on www.hseland.ie.

Other examples of professional development activities include access to excellent HSE library services, further training and educational opportunities, attendance at conferences, webinars and workshops, engaging in mentoring and supervision, keeping up with the latest information about the profession through specialised newsletters, blogs, and podcasts.

Staff benefits and testimonials

Working in a rewarding and challenging career is just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy as a HSE employee. We offer attractive pay and benefits, professional supervision, career support and development opportunities, friendly colleagues, and an excellent quality of life.

See Pay scales – HSE Staff

Please click on the below link to find out more about the role of Physiotherapist:

Louise Galvin, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist Kerry

Joh Ann Suezo, Senior Physiotherapist, Children’s Disability Network Team

To ensure that you are informed of all vacancies please register on the HSE Career Hub for weekly job alerts.