Angela Brett is an assistant practitioner who assesses, discharges, provides exercise regimes and works with patients who have poor mobility and balance problems.
I joined the CSP back in 1996. At that time I worked with a physiotherapist who was very proud to belong to the society. They encouraged me to go to a local meeting to address envelopes and I stayed because It was feeding my need for more information and learning! It was exciting because I knew that I was on new territory for assistants.
Has your career path been different to what you expected?
Totally. I started work in a jigsaw and box-making factory! Later, I had my son and started working part-time as a domestic in the ENT theatres. I like to think that the sister there saw my potential and encouraged me to go for a 'physiotherapy helper' job. Or maybe she was just pleased to get me out of there!
What have been the biggest surprises in your career so far?
That I was able to take up Karen Middleton’s offer to shadow her for a day in her role as chief AHP officer at the Department of Health. I got lost at the underground at Elephant and Castle!
It’s a day I will never forget. Karen’s enthusiasm and passion about her role was clear for all to see. As you can imagine, I was very impressed when she became chief executive of the CSP.
Also, when I become a Learning Champion and received a lovely letter thanking me for showing a student how to use the e-portfolio to record her learning and continuing development. She then became a Learning Champion too!
How has your CSP helped you in your career?
Help and advice from the CSP was instrumental in me gaining the position of a technical instructor and later a band 4 post.
Services like the e-portfolio allow me to save and document things, to use in appraisals and supervision.
What does the 21st anniversary of CSP associate membership mean to you?
It's such a very special anniversary. I never dreamt that I could belong to such a prestigious society and have such an active part, helping to drive physiotherapy assistants forward.
If you could give one message to your peers from what you have learnt in your career, what would it be?
To listen carefully to what patients say - and that they sometimes take every word that you say literally!
- Read more stories from the Associates 21st anniversary celebration
