Any career advice to someone with a Physio degree

LMTB1979 on 26/06/2019 - 10:56

Hi Everyone,

I am a Uk qualified physiotherapist who was practicing before moving to Australia 4 years ago. I do miss practicing as a physiotherapist but doing my registration here is too costly and risky for me as I have a young family.

I have worked in medical sales since being here and it was not my cup of tea. I'am currently working as a disability support worker. The job is rewarding but its not stimulating. I thought about Paramedic as I thought with my medical knowledge that would be a great job to do, however I have tried numerous times and cant get past the aptitude test.

I am at crossroads at present and lets just say I am really stuck. If anyone has any ideas what I can do with my degree or with my experience no matter how bizarre please share. It would be great to hear.

Thanks

Education & Work

Comments

  • spacemansam on 26/06/2019 - 11:40
    +2

    Physio here - you can get a job as an allied health assistant in a physiotherapy department at a hospital, that's probably the closest you'll get to working as a physio without registering here

    You might also be able to look into work as a workplace injury consultant, although I am not sure if you have to be AHPRA registered for this

  • Icecold5000 on 26/06/2019 - 11:44

    I’d stick with medical sales. Identify why it wasn’t working out for you and see what measures are required to be successful. Most people are not good at sales but it’s a skill they can be learned without investing in another degree. Many allied health areas are flooded with people and paramedic is no exception from what I’ve read because the universities have unlimited enrolments for courses. Maybe try and get an admin role in an insurance company and see if you can make your way up as a case manager. Pays the bills.

  • StonedWizard on 26/06/2019 - 11:59
    +1

    You could move into Life insurance as a claims worker. Long term you'd make more money than a physiotherapist and you would get to utilise your experience.

    • Seraphin7 on 26/06/2019 - 13:17

      This is what I was going to suggest. You can either work directly as a claims assessor/manager, or as a adjunct to that team. There is good demand for physiotherapists and other allied healths in this area.

  • kingsha on 26/06/2019 - 12:26
    +2

    If you were fully registered as physio in the UK before moving (meaning within the last 5 years) you should check https://physiocouncil.com.au/overseas-practitioners/standard…
    Seems there is now a shorter pathway (without the clinical exams) for some physio qualified from Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom

  • mskeggs on 26/06/2019 - 13:10
    +1

    Paramedics are way, way oversupplied with staff, so it is a very difficult career to enter. You will be competing with graduates of a paramedical science degree and find it very hard to get a job. I wouldn't keep trying.
    Since you like physio, and are qualified, I think you should pursue it if you can.

    • fossilfuel on 26/06/2019 - 20:12

      Agree with this. I know a fair amount of paramedics who went through uni and can't secure jobs now due to oversupply. Vocational entry is an option yet you said you have difficulty passing the aptitude test. Even if you get into vocational, they'll most likely lock you into a rural area for a few years before you're given the option to apply for jobs in the city. Once you get that option, you're competing against hundreds of young candidates who are also gunning for a position in the city. The rate of burnout is quite high and you're also working odd hours, which is definitely not good since you have a young family.

      You have a young family so pursuing registration as a physio in Australia would definitely be a good option. Even if registration is costly, you'll most likely end up with stable hours and steady income in a physio position. If you're working for government/the dept of health, you may also be eligible for salary packaging e.g using pre-tax income to spend on food and rent.

      I'm not quite sure what you mean when you said it's too "risky" to apply for registration here.

  • askme69 on 26/06/2019 - 13:20
    -2

    My Physio is $90 for 30 minutes and is booked weeks in advance. He specialises in Shoulders.

  • Dsquall on 27/06/2019 - 21:37

    Stryker is the way to go.

    In all honesty do what you enjoy, don't ever choose something just because it's easy (in my opinion anyway).You only get one go at this life thing, might as well make it a good one or at least one without regrets.

  • Keen Bargain Hunter on 29/06/2019 - 21:08

    Broker yourself out as a physio assistant working for aged care in their homes privately. You will be able to work around kids and what ever appointments you have. the only disadvantage is work may fluctuate, or be stagnant at times. Other than the admin and tax stuff.

  • justwaitingforamate on 15/07/2019 - 16:11

    If I were you I would seek your registration here as I think that would be your best bet. If its the actual job that your not keen on try another specialisation that you have not worked in (but avoid the big Physio franchises here that just seem to use and abuse new grads as a default business model). Otherwise you could try your hand at rehab counsellor role in a big organisation or return to work coordinator/ Worksafe claims ect.

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