FAQ's - Animal Physiotherapy careers
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximizing potential:
- It uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variation in health status.
- It is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery.
- The exercise of clinical judgement and informed interpretation is at its core.
Source: CSP Curriculum Framework Jan 2002
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What qualifications do I need before I can start training in animal physiotherapy?
Before anyone can start training with animals, they must first become a Chartered Physiotherapist with humans. To qualify as a Chartered Physiotherapist, involves a 3 or 4 year course, leading to a degree in human physiotherapy.
The physiotherapist will then join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and is eligible to use the protected title of 'Chartered Physiotherapist' and can apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Chartered Physiotherapists who then wish to specialise in animal physiotherapy must complete two years of general practice working in the human field and must be members of the CSP including the letters MCSP after their name before they can start formal postgraduate training in animal physiotherapy. However, during the two year period gaining experience in the human field they can apply to join ACPAT as Category B members.
Professional liability insurance is required to treat animals. They will then have the opportunity to go out with Category A members and observe and gain clinical experience in the animal field.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
14 Bedford Row
London
WC1R 4ED
Tel: 020 7306 6666
Email: enquiries@csp.org.uk
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How do I become qualified as a Chartered Animal Physiotherapist?
Training can currently be undertaken in two ways, both of which require the Chartered Physiotherapist to be a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
- Successful completion of the ACPAT Core Knowledge and Skills course in addition to completion of a Clinical Placement Assessment (CPA) book. A minimum of 30 clinical placement days with ACPAT Category A members, vets and other allied professions will be needed to complete the CPA. (THIS COURSE IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW)
- Successful completion of a part time MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy, run by The Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire.
Royal Veterinary College
Hawkshead Lane
North Mymms
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 7TA
Switchboard Tel: 01707 666333
MSc/ PGDip Veterinary Physiotherapy Course Administrator – Shirley Benbow
Tel: 01707 666287
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What is the ACPAT Core Knowledge & Skills Course (CK & S Course)?
This course is designed to give the student a sound basic practical and theoretic grounding in animal physiotherapy to maximize learning and promote safety on the clinical placement days.
The course currently comprises three modules each lasting 3 days (nine days in total) followed by an examination. Two modules are equine and one is canine. The examination comprises a practical and written component. A formative assignment is given with each module.
The student will be expected to undertake pre-course reading and study and have access to the internet (including email facility) in order to research related topics.
Successful completion of this course is part of the criteria for upgrading to Category A membership of ACPAT.
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What is the Clincial Placement Assessment Book (CPA)?
This is an ongoing assessment scheme that is based on the new updated ACPAT training syllabus.
Assessments of students (Category B members) are carried out by ACPAT Category A members who have attended clinical instructor training days. The student is assessed and given feedback after each clinical placement day in order to facilitate learning.
A minimum of 30 days will be required to complete the CPA book.
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What are the professional associations relating to animal physiotherapy and what do they do?
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT)
ACPAT is a clinical interest group of the CSP and as such is governed by them. Fully qualified members are classed as 'Category A' members and student members as 'Category B'. Category C members are non - practicing Chartered Physiotherapists. Journal members are other professionals (Veterinary Surgeons, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, physiotherapy students). Honorary members have the same rights as Journal members.
ACPAT gives Category A and B members access to a Block Insurance Scheme in addition to CSP insurance for practicing members.
ACPAT
21 Woodlands Close
Penenden Heath
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 2EX
Tel: 01622 688777
Email: Ann Page
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
The CSP is the professional, education and trade union body for physiotherapists. Members have the letters MCSP (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) after their names. The CSP describes itself as a progressive, dynamic, member-centred organisation that aims to:
- lead and support all members in developing and promoting high quality innovative patient care
- protect and further advance the interests and working lives of members
- raise the profile of the profession and influence the health care agenda
- work openly in partnership to meet the diverse needs of both members and their patients
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
14 Bedford Row
London
WC1R 4ED
Tel: 020 7306 6666
Email: enquiries@csp.org.uk
Health Professions Council (HPC)
HPC is a regulatory body whose job is to protect the health and wellbeing of people who use the services of the health professions registered with them (currently 12 professions). Individuals are only able to register if they meet HPC standards regarding their professional skills, behaviour and health. Members may use the letters SRP (State Registered Physiotherapist) but this is being replaced by 'HPC Registered'.
Health Professions Council
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
Fax: 020 7820 9684
Email: info@hpc-uk.org
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What is the role of physiotherapists treating animals?
Physiotherapy treatment includes:
- Manipulation and mobilisation to joints and soft tissues
- Electrotherapies such as ultrasound, laser therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, electromagnetic therapy
- Exercise regimes and rehabilitation
Common complaints treated by Chartered Physiotherapists in animal therapy include:
- Spinal problems – such as disc disease, saddle related back pain
- Joint problems – arthritis/degenerative joint disease, injury, pain/swelling/stiffness in joints
- Injuries – to muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Post surgical rehabilitation – following orthopaedic surgery for horses and dogs
- Fractures – treatment and rehabilitation to facilitate healing and restoration of function
- Neurological conditions
- Sports injuries
- Performance difficulties in the athletic animal
- Preventative physiotherapy can help minimise recurrence of a problem
- Physiotherapy for rider related problems
- Obesity
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What does it cost to train as a Chartered Animal Physiotherapist?
As at December 2005 the course fees were:
- ACPAT Core Knowledge and Skills Modular Course £2,600
- Royal Veterinary College Post Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy £3800 (UK/EU students); £12,231 (overseas students)
- Royal Veterinary College MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy £4950 (UK/EU students); £15,932 (overseas students)
You should contact the relevant bodies to confirm current costs.
These costs do not include books, other learning resources, fees for placement days or travel costs or accommodation.
It is not unusual for the total cost of training to be in the region of £10,000.
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What are the career opportunities available after qualification?
The vast majority of animal/veterinary physiotherapists work as self-employed private practitioners. Occasionally positions become available in private animal physiotherapy practices, large veterinary practices or universities.
However, most animal physiotherapists will need to establish their own practice which requires considerable commitment in terms of finance, time and the development of skills needed to successfully set up and run a business.
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Are there any other routes to training as a Chartered Animal Physiotherapist other than becoming a human physiotherapist first?
There are currently no direct routes available to train as a Chartered Animal Physiotherapist other than those described.
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Once I am qualified do I need to do any further training?
Once qualified, regular attendance at ACPAT and other relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses is required to maintain and improve clinical knowledge and competence.
The current (January 2006) CPD requirement is 25 hours per year. Members must meet the CPD requirement to continue membership of ACPAT.
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