From Clinics to Sports Labs: A Senior Physiotherapist's Path to Mastering Sports Medicine
21 Oct, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- The career path of a Senior Physiotherapist.
- What a typical day looks like for a Senior Physiotherapist.
- Strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance as a Senior Physiotherapist.
- Where the latest Physiotherapist jobs are and how to apply for them.
Curious to know how Senior Physiotherapists help to transform lives through movement and rehabilitation?
We’ve been speaking to a Senior Physiotherapist to explore the ins and outs of the profession and what it means to make an impact through physical rehabilitation.
Mamata completed her masters degree in musculoskeletal and orthopaedics then began her career working in clinics.
After a short time in clinics, Mamata found an interest in the sports industry treating athletes and now has plans to open her own sports clinic.
As well as treating patients, Mamata also helps out with marketing campaigns and makes presentations for stakeholders and workshops to uncover how to increase footfalls.
Tell us about your career path so far!
I was fortunate in my career to land coveted jobs right from the get go. I always wanted to learn the clinical side of treating clients and started working post bachelors in a busy clinic.
I then got the opportunity to work in the sports medicine department of a reputed hospital which was great because I was hungry to learn more about treating athletes.
After interacting with strength and conditioning coaches and learning from mentors, it felt like I was destined to work in sports.
I then moved cities so I started working at a sports performance lab where I then learnt the basics of exercise programming and progression. The weekly learning sessions pushed me to study everyday and grow at a rate that I had never grown at before as a Physiotherapist.
I followed this up by landing my dream job at an international badminton academy.
Little did I know that I would be meeting another mentor who was a strength and conditioning coach who pushed me so that skill wise, I would be even better than what I was before.
I had to move again and I am currently working at a sports clinic but have plans to open my own in the future.
What initially drew you to the field of physiotherapy?
I have always loved biology and wanted to be a Doctor since childhood. I took part in a medical entrance exam, however I didn't get enough marks to become a Physician but enough to be a Physiotherapist.
In the first three years, I was just finding my way. It was in my final year of bachelor's that I knew treating clients was to become my ‘Ikigai’ in life and 6 years after finishing my masters, I still love treating clients.
Can you describe your specific area of specialisation within physiotherapy?
I completed my masters in musculoskeletal and orthopaedics therefore I deal with musculoskeletal conditions, injuries and pain.
What skills do you believe are most critical for a Physiotherapist to develop?
In my 6 years of working experience, I feel communication is the most important skill that a Physiotherapist should develop. Good communication helps us convince clients to take better care of their bodies and make better decisions.
Good communication can only be improved by learning from past experience, following mentors and talking to the client by getting off your pedestal so that they actually listen to what you say.
Looking back at your career, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently?
As a learner having a beginner's mindset, I used to always second guess myself in terms of diagnosis or treatment. I now know from experience that confidence is contagious. By being confident in myself, I give the client the same hope that they will get better by coming to me.
What does a typical day look like for you as a Senior Physiotherapist and how does it differ from your earlier years in the field?
My typical day will involve me meeting with clients but I also help out with marketing campaigns, making presentations for stakeholders or for workshops and attending meetings to discuss how to increase footfalls.
We also have observership programmes where we mentor students. I also conduct educational workshops for the general public.
Thus, in addition to treating clients, I am actively involved in the decision making and running of the clinic that I work for.
What strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially considering the demands of a senior role?
For now, I make sure that I don’t extend my work hours so that I can spend enough time with my family. I try to finish additional work within the time I have in the clinic and not take work home.
I do take important calls when necessary and work the occasional Sunday when it's unavoidable but having a great boss helps too.
If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you were starting as a Physiotherapist, what would it be?
I would have asked my younger self to devote time to working on my own health in terms of strength training and working out. Work takes a toll and I find working out pays off physically and mentally.
What challenges do you commonly face in your role and how do you overcome them?
As a Senior Physiotherapist, I do have to go through conflicts with fellow colleagues since I work in a diverse team. Clear communication, remembering that we have common goals and an open dialogue helps me resolve these conflicts.
Physiotherapist jobs
If you’re searching for your next Physiotherapist job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit Physiotherapists?
As healthcare recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a Physiotherapist vacancy, why not get in touch with our healthcare specialist, Kaylah Henderson on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
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If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
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We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
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