Finding your first physiotherapy job

Congratulations on completing your degree! You’ve done so well to get to where you are now. The hard work and the long hours – you should be very proud of what you’ve achieved! Now it’s time to put your studies into practice and get your first physio post.

Building a professional profile

Starting from the time you begin your physiotherapy qualification, we strongly recommend that you build a professional network and be active with it. 

LinkedIn is a great place to create a professional profile and connect with other professionals. Make sure you link with other physiotherapists you met during your placements, ask for recommendations and post/like/comment/share content relevant to your profile and aspirations.

We encourage our members to embrace social media in a productive, safe and professional manner. We have produced a social media guide to help you. It is aimed mainly at those who are new to social media or looking to develop their activity, but it also provides guidance on professional issues that may be useful for those who are more established.

Job websites

As a newly qualified physiotherapist, stepping into the job market can feel both exciting and a bit daunting. Whether you're aiming for an NHS rotational or static role, a position in private practice, or something community-based, knowing where and how to look is key. With the right support and persistence, you’ll find a role that suits your strengths and sets the foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling career. 

You can set up job alerts on recruitment websites to be notified when new posts that match your interests are advertised. Many potential employers also list vacancies on their own websites under a ‘Careers’ or ‘Work with us’ section. 

It’s also worth reaching out directly to hospitals or services in the area you’d like to work. You can email them to ask about open days or express your interest in future roles. Don’t underestimate the power of networking, connecting with people you know in the profession or local community can often open doors to hidden opportunities. 

Locum physiotherapy work involves short-term, flexible roles arranged through agencies to cover staffing gaps, and sometimes these roles can lead to permanent positions. While some agencies do accept newly qualified physiotherapists, many expect you to work independently from day one, so strong placement or assistant experience can really help. It’s important to be aware that locum roles often come with limited support, minimal induction, and can sometimes feel isolating. There’s also typically less job security and fewer opportunities for structured development. Being aware of these challenges can help you decide whether locum work is the right fit for your current skills and confidence level. 

Which sites can I use?

There are several places you can view current jobs available and set up alerts to receive them directly into your inbox. These include:

• Physiotherapy Jobs, the CSP’s job site
• Frontline, the CSP's monthly magazine
• NHS jobs in England and Wales, 
  NHS Scotland recruitment, 
  Health and Social Care jobs in Northern Ireland, NHS jobs
• HealthJobsUK, an independent UK health jobs site
• Private Healthcare UK, website has a list of private hospitals in the UK
• Indeed,Reed,TotalJobs,CV Library job sites that connect job seekers with employers
• Social media and networking groups, such as LinkedIn and CSP Networks 

If you have any questions about roles specific to your nation or region, you can reach out to your national or regional networks for support and guidance. 

If you have queries related to a particular speciality or area of practice, you can connect with the relevant professional network via iCSP and our directory of professional networks for advice and peer support. 

Education, research and leadership  

Education roles for physiotherapists can be found in lots of different settings. Universities (also called Higher Education Institutions or HEIs) often advertise roles such as teaching-only jobs, research-focused posts, or combined roles where you can teach and still do some clinical work. 

Many universities understand the challenges of transitioning from clinical practice into teaching and offer support such as: 

• Funding for a teaching certificate Postgraduate Certificate Academic Practice (PGCAP)
• Support in gaining Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) | Advance HE
• Access to peer mentoring and ongoing professional development  

You can also find education jobs in public health, where you might deliver health talks or training in the community, and in private companies, where you could run workshops, for example, on back care or workplace wellbeing. 

Top tip: When applying, make sure to check what development opportunities are included as part of the role. 

If you're interested in research, you might consider working as a research assistant or pursuing a clinical academic roles, where you could investigate new interventions and share your findings nationally or internationally. To get started, look out for research internships or funded projects that offer valuable hands-on experience.  

To explore further, connect with: 

• Your regional Council for Allied Health Professions Research (CAHPR) hub
• iCSP research network
• National Institute for Health and Care Research
• Your local universities with active research departments  

Post-registration study 

If you wish to continue your studies, then a post-registration qualification may be for you. Options include Masters degrees, PhDs, postgraduate diplomas and certificates in subjects such as advanced physiotherapy, clinical education or specialist topics. 

You can apply for funding from the CSP’s Charitable Trust by 30 July 2025.  

You can also explore graduate training opportunities within the health sector. These programmes offer structured development and can be a great way to build skills in leadership, management, or specialist areas. 

• NHS Graduate Training Opportunities