Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

Physiotherapists work with people with sport injuries or accident injuries. They work to rebuild the muscle and strengthen limbs. A doctor usually refers clients to the physiotherapist, who then assesses their capabilities and decides on the most appropriate treatment. Initial assessment is made using referral notes and consulting the patients.  
 
Where necessary, other health care specialists, such as occupational therapists are also consulted. Physiotherapists then use physical tests, such as measuring the range of movement and the girth of limbs to determine muscle wastage.  
 
Physiotherapists treat a wide range of different people with a variety of needs. Patients may be amputees, stroke patients, children with severe disabilities, pre- or post-operative patients, or those with psychiatric problems. Some, such as intensive care patients, are very ill, while others suffer from minor injuries.  
 
Exercises may be devised and taught to develop balance, strengthen weak muscles or help patients to relax.  
 
Physiotherapists may also select aids, such as crutches or wheelchairs, and teach patients how to use them.  
 
Although most clients are seen on an individual basis, group therapy can be useful in teaching them how to overcome or prevent common problems such as weakness in the knees, ankles and back.  
 
Health education and the prevention of injury and illness are increasingly important. For example, highlighting relaxation techniques and developing exercise programmes for pregnant women is something that a physiotherapist might do. They also specialise in areas such as manipulation, sports injuries, intellectual disability, research and education.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programmes of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
• Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
• Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
• Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
• Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
• Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
• Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.

Further Information

• Physiotherapist- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Physiotherapist- from: GradIreland
• Physiotherapy Assistant- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

CORU Requirements

There are a variety of study routes for students wishing to pursue a career in the health and social care professions. However, not all courses lead to the direct path of being able to practise in Ireland once qualified. In Ireland, if you want to practise as a Physiotherapist, you must be registered with CORU, - Ireland's regulator of health and social care professionals.

One of the functions of the Registration Boards at CORU is to approve and monitor education and training programmes. The purpose of regulating education and training programmes is to ensure that all graduates entering the Register meet the necessary standards and have the knowledge and skills required for public protection. This ensures the delivery of safe and effective practise to the benefit of the service user.

What does this mean when selecting a course to study in Ireland?

This is the current list of Approved Qualifications to work as a Physiotherapist. If you achieve one of these qualifications, you are eligible to apply for CORU registration.

What about studying abroad, and practising in Ireland once qualified?

If your professional qualification is awarded outside of Ireland and you want to register and work in Ireland, the process is a little more complex. You must first apply to have that qualification recognised by the Registration Board for your profession.

To be eligible to apply for recognition of your international qualification, you must have completed professional training, which gives you eligibility to practise your profession in the country where you were awarded the qualification.

The Registration Board will assess your qualification as well as any other relevant qualifications and work experience for compliance with the standards required for practising in Ireland.

If you are unsure about health and social care regulation, CORU is happy to help with any questions. You can contact CORU at [email protected]

Physiotherapist v Physical Therapist.

Confusion sometimes arises, especially for students trying to choose college courses, between the occupation and professional titles of 'physiotherapist' and 'physical therapist'. In most other countries the terms are interchangeable, however, in Ireland they refer to two different levels of qualification and clinical expertise.

According to The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, the professional body representing physiotherapists in Ireland,  Irish Society for Physiotherapists Physios have a four-year full-time degree and 1,000 hours of clinical placement in public health services as part of that degree programme and also have expertise in musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neurological conditions. In Ireland, a Physical Therapist does not have training in neurological conditions and work outside the public health system. There are also varied levels of training. In general, their clinical practice is limited to musculoskeletal conditions.

1. Complete a recognised three or four year undergraduate university degree course (or a 2 year accelerated entry to practice MSc) which includes at a minimum 1,000 hours of clinical practice,
2. Be accepted as a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists,
3. Undertake continuous professional development.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: physiology and health science, sports and leisure management, pre university physiotherapy, sports physio, sports and physical therapy, holistic and physical therapies, recreation and exercise, physio assistant.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: physiology and health science, sports and leisure management, pre university physiotherapy, sports physio, sports and physical therapy, holistic and physical therapies, recreation and exercise, physio assistant.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: nutrition and health science, physiology and health science, physiotherapy, sports studies physiology and massage, health physiology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: physiotherapy, sports and exercise medicine, exercise physiology, GAMSAT exam.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Note: for Irish physiotherapy students studying outside the Republic of Ireland

Irish physiotherapy students studying outside the Republic of Ireland should be aware that they may find it difficult to obtain a clinical placement in an Irish public health facility as part of their undergraduate training. Please note that the following is HSE policy:

Priority for Placements of undergraduate physiotherapists in Irish Public Health System PROTOCOL Priority will be given for students in the following agreed courses:

• BSc in Occupational Therapy – TCD, NUIG, UCC
• MSc in Occupational Therapy – UL
• BSc in Physiotherapy – UCD, TCD, RCSI, UL
• BSc in Speech and Language Therapy – TCD, NUIG, UCC
• MSc in Speech and Language Therapy – UL

Consideration requires to be given to the following:

1. Irish citizens studying outside the Republic of Ireland.
2. Additional courses.
3. Northern Ireland and UK students.
4. Other EU and international requests.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

CORU the Health and Social Care Professional Council which is the state organisation that manages the official register of healthcare professionals is currently in the process of setting up the register for physiotherapists in Ireland, and will have to decide whether both physiotherapists and physical therapists will be included and, if so, what the minimum educational qualifications and clinical practice will be required.

Irish Society for Physiotherapists.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €39k - €73k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: April, 2023

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Physiotherapists; Occupational therapists; Speech and language therapists; Therapy professionals n.e.c (not elsewhere classified).   

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was below average for therapy professionals, with levels in 2022 remaining below that of 2020. Although LFS data does not allow for a detailed breakdown of employment in this group, Census data for 2016 and 2022 shows detailed employment as follows.

Despite the lack of overall employment growth in recent years, issues with recruitment resulted in a number of therapist roles (occupational, physiotherapists and speech and language) being added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List in June 2022. A total of 53 new permits were issued in 2022, primarily for physiotherapists with a small number for occupational and speech & language therapists.

The delivery of the Sláintecare report, particularly in terms of community care and mental health services, will require additional staffing in these occupations and, while a combined total of 100 additional training places are planned for occupational, physio, and speech/language therapists in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s education system, given the duration of training programmes, recruitment difficulties for these posts are unlikely to ease in the short-to-medium term. However, as employment levels are not increasing and the data does not allow for detailed analysis, it is not possible to determine if shortages exist for this occupation at present.

• Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

  • Royal College of Surgeons, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
  • (01) 402 2148
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here