Building a Physiotherapy career, with an unconventional start

How did you begin your career in Physiotherapy?

It was a long time ago, not too long after I moved to the UK and I was only covering a few shifts at The Wellington as a cleaner for an agency originally, I never thought it would put me on this path but I’m glad it did! While I was there I heard there was an Assistant Physiotherapist job and I had some experience, probably around NVQ level so I applied and was really happy to get the job!

What happened next?

In 2007 I started a Physiotherapy degree while working at The Wellington, I asked if I could go part time and the team were very accommodating and supportive. I think they recognised the hard work I was putting in as well as seeing I wanted to develop. They even supported me with study leave when I had to go on placements. It took around 5 years to complete but once I graduated I moved into a Junior Physiotherapist role, which I think was a first for The Wellington.

Since then I’ve had chance to gain exposure to various therapies including orthopaedic, cariology and intensive care so it’s been incredibly varied. HCA even paid for some courses to further develop myself including a really interesting one on managing scar tissue. Then in 2022 I was promoted to Senior Physiotherapist at Leaders in Oncology at Harley Street and I’m loving each day!

How’s your day to day?

I work in outpatients in an Oncology clinic so day to day I see patients that are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, providing them with exercise advice and helping them regain strength, or motion following surgery and helping them improve their quality of life. I love the patient contact and seeing I can make a difference.

I always try and go the extra mile and offer as much advice as I can, to support them in the short term but also long term. It’s challenging at times, patients can be upset as their lives have been turned upside down but a smile and a sympathetic word goes a long way, I put myself in their shoes and try to provide as much support as I can – seeing the difference I can make is incredibly rewarding.

Why should a Physiotherapist choose HCA for their new career?

I’d say here you’re treated as an individual and your hard work is recognised, even back in 2012 while I was still studying I was nominated for employee of the quarter and for a Frist award (an internal award which recognises colleagues for the invaluable contribution to HCA). The culture here is very much about celebrating each other’s achievements and lifting each other up.

We’re a close-knit team here as well, not just colleagues but friends. A special mention has to go out to my old manager James and my current manager Rebecca; they’ve supported me throughout my career at HCA not just in a professional capacity, but in a personal one too. Rebecca even brought me food and checked in on me during the first Covid wave when I was unwell. I don’t think you could find another therapies team so dedicated to each other, and their patients.