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Physiotherapist in the United Kingdom

Clinical physiotherapy roles across NHS and compliant private providers. HCPC registration (or verified progress toward registration) is expected.

Healthcare Allied Health Gross pay shown Sponsorship depends on employer
Updated: —
We refresh pay, requirements and work-conditions guidance on a weekly cycle. The date above is generated automatically.
CV required: candidates without an English CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK or apply only to roles where sponsorship is explicitly available (employer-specific).
Typical NHS band range Band 5–7 (gross), depending on experience and scope
Working pattern Commonly full-time; shifts/7-day cover can apply by service
Clinical focus Acute, community, MSK, rehab pathways (role-dependent)
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UK pay guidance (gross / before tax)

Physiotherapist roles are commonly aligned to NHS Agenda for Change bands (especially in rotational and hospital/community settings). Figures below are gross and shown as typical reference ranges. Exact offers depend on employer, setting, location and supplements.

Reference: NHS 2025/26 pay bands (Bands 5–7 shown). Overtime/unsocial-hours and local supplements are not included here.
Band Typical physiotherapy level Annual gross (GBP) Hourly gross (GBP) Notes
Band 5 Rotational / entry-to-mid (supported) £31,049 – £37,796 £15.88 – £19.33 Often used for rotational posts across multiple specialties
Band 6 Specialist / autonomous caseload £38,682 – £46,580 £19.78 – £23.82 Typically deeper expertise in MSK, neuro, respiratory, community etc.
Band 7 Advanced / team-lead scope (service-dependent) £47,810 – £54,710 £24.45 – £27.98 Advanced practice / leadership, complex caseloads, service development
Practical tip: if your CV shows clear scope (assessment depth, outcome measures, discharge planning, complex rehab), employers are more likely to map your profile to Band 6+ roles.

Short candidate portrait (what “good” looks like)

Hiring managers decide quickly. This portrait is the profile that typically moves to interview — even without UK experience.

Clinical thinking

  • Structured subjective + objective assessment
  • Clear problem list + rehab goals
  • Outcome measures used appropriately

Safe documentation

  • Concise notes that justify decisions
  • Red flags + escalation documented
  • Discharge planning mindset

Team delivery

  • MDT coordination (nurses, OT, doctors)
  • Patient education and consent
  • Professional boundaries and safeguarding awareness

Role context (why UK physiotherapy teams hire internationally)

UK services increasingly run “pathway” models (acute → rehab → community) and need physiotherapists who can keep patients moving safely and shorten length of stay. Strong assessment + pragmatic discharge planning are often valued as much as manual skill.

What stands out in interviews: candidates who explain how they prioritise risk (falls, respiratory decline, neuro change), document clinical reasoning, and coordinate with the MDT to move a patient to the next step safely.

Typical responsibilities (role-accurate)

  • Assess patients using clinically appropriate subjective and objective measures.
  • Formulate treatment plans (exercise therapy, mobility progression, education, pacing), aligned with goals and risk.
  • Support discharge planning: equipment needs, mobility status, referrals and patient/carer instructions.
  • Work within an MDT, communicating priorities and progress using UK-style handover discipline.
  • Maintain safe and defensible documentation; report incidents and safeguarding concerns where required.
  • Contribute to service quality: audits, pathway improvements, supervision of students/support staff (scope-dependent).

Detailed requirements (what employers actually screen)

  • English CV: mandatory (no CV — no consideration).
  • Registration: HCPC registered physiotherapist (preferred) or evidence of active progress toward registration.
  • Qualification: recognised physiotherapy degree (or equivalent professional training).
  • English proficiency: must be sufficient for clinical reasoning, documentation and patient consent.
  • Clinical capability: demonstrable assessment + rehab planning; experience aligned to setting (acute/community/MSK/neuro etc.).
  • Compliance readiness: references, identity checks; DBS and occupational health clearance may be required by the employer.
  • Professional behaviour: patient safety, boundaries, confidentiality, and escalation discipline.
If you are international: employers commonly expect your CV to show supervised clinical hours, caseload exposure and references that can be verified.

What MaViAl provides

  • Role matching against current UK demand based on your CV profile.
  • Screening guidance: what to highlight for NHS-style shortlisting.
  • Structured application steps and ongoing contact support.
Fastest next step: upload your CV. We screen for the closest-fit pathway and confirm what additional documents may be needed.

Working conditions in the UK (practical overview)

Conditions vary by employer, but the points below reflect what candidates typically experience in regulated UK healthcare environments.

Hours & rota culture

  • Full-time patterns are commonly built around standard weekly hours, with rota-based services in some departments.
  • Some services run extended days or 7-day cover; this is role- and employer-specific.
  • Time management and safe handover discipline are heavily valued.

Leave & stability

  • Paid annual leave is typically structured by length of service and public holidays (policy-defined).
  • Clear HR policies for sickness, mandatory training and appraisal cycles are common in large employers.
  • Many teams support CPD planning when documented and relevant.

Clinical governance

  • Expect strong emphasis on documentation quality and escalation thresholds.
  • Safeguarding and patient consent are treated as routine, not “extra”.
  • Equipment handling, infection control and incident reporting are formalised.
Important: sponsorship and eligibility are always defined by the specific employer, the offered role, and compliance rules. Uploading your CV first makes it easier to confirm what is realistic for your profile.

FAQ

Will I be considered without HCPC registration?

Many employers shortlist candidates who are already HCPC registered. Some also review candidates who can prove active progress toward registration and can map competencies clearly. Your CV should show clinical scope, supervision structure and verifiable references.

What makes a physiotherapist CV “UK-ready”?

A UK-ready CV is competency-led: patient groups, settings, assessment methods, interventions, outcome measures, and discharge planning. Include tools you used (documentation systems if applicable), audit/quality work, and clear dates for employment and placements.

Are the salaries on this page net or gross?

All figures shown on this page are gross (before tax). Your net pay depends on tax, national insurance, pension and your personal circumstances.

Do physiotherapists get sponsorship in the UK?

Sponsorship can be available when the employer is an approved sponsor and the role meets eligibility and salary rules. This varies by employer and vacancy; it is never guaranteed by job title alone.

What checks are common for regulated healthcare roles?

Employers may require identity verification, professional references, DBS checks, occupational health clearance and mandatory training completion. Requirements differ by service and patient group.

What should I do right now to move forward?

Upload your English CV. After screening, MaViAl can confirm the closest-fit pathway (Band level and setting direction) and outline what documents are most likely to be requested.

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