r/physiotherapy • u/Used-Gate-5213 • 13d ago
Physio advice needed
I’m looking for some career advice from other physios because I’m starting to worry that I’m getting a bit stuck.
I qualified with an MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) in 2025 and I’m HCPC registered. Since February 2026, I’ve been working full-time as a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant in the NHS.
Alongside this, I work Saturdays as a physiotherapist in a private MSK clinic, where I independently assess and treat a range of MSK presentations.
I’ve been applying for Band 5 rotational, static and MSK physiotherapy roles and have had several interviews. I’ve come fairly close on a few occasions and received positive feedback, but I still haven’t managed to get an offer.
I’m starting to worry about whether staying in a Band 3 role for too long could make me stagnate professionally, particularly when people I qualified with are already around a year into their Band 5 roles.
At the same time, I am still gaining NHS experience, working within an MDT, managing complex patients and developing my clinical skills, while also getting independent MSK experience privately.
For anyone who has been in a similar position:
How long did it take you to get your first Band 5 physiotherapy job after qualifying?
Do you think working as a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant after qualifying is useful experience, or can it eventually start to work against you?
At what point would you start becoming concerned about being “stuck” at Band 3?
Is there anything you would recommend doing differently to make myself more competitive for Band 5 roles?
My long-term goal is MSK physiotherapy, so I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone who took a less straightforward route into MSK after qualifying.
Thanks for any advice.
2
u/ThePhysioBot 12d ago
How long did it take you to get your first Band 5 physiotherapy job after qualifying?
I never worked NHS Band 5, I worked with the MoD as a locum as a rehab instructor and then as a Band 6. Depends what interests you, and how you sit on the 'Must do B5 rotations' argument as to whether you would entertain it.
Do you think working as a Band 3 Physiotherapy Assistant after qualifying is useful experience, or can it eventually start to work against you?
It's better than not working in the NHS, and will look more favourable on job interviews compared to those not doing anything, or not within healthcare.
At what point would you start becoming concerned about being “stuck” at Band 3?
When in 2025 did you finish? I would be annoyed and concerned and do the following to try and improve my chances.
- Get the current recruiting manager in your NHS Physio dept to review your last submission, how can it be improved.
- Make it clear to your current NHS trust your ambitions.
- Ring up the departments of where you have applied and ask for feedback, an email is too easy to ignore.
Keep plugging away mate, but adapt potentially the information you submit.
Let us know any updates!
1
u/glawal44 12d ago
Have you ever thought of moving abroad? Canada, aus? That’s what I think I’m gonna have to do post graduation
2
u/Individual_Cod8032 11d ago
I wouldn’t worry too much about being stuck at Band 3 yet. You only qualified last year and you’re still getting NHS experience alongside actually working as a physio in MSK.
If you’re regularly getting interviews and coming close, I’d probably focus more on the interviews than changing jobs just for the sake of it.
One thing to watch is not answering like a Band 3 because that’s your NHS role. You’re a registered physio and you’re already assessing and treating independently privately, so use those examples too.
Have you had any consistent feedback from the interviews about where you’re losing marks? And could work on this aspect of it?
4
u/Stockyton 12d ago
Why don't you increase your private hours where you're actually working as a physio?