As an RAF Medical Support Officer (physio) your job is to deliver clinical rehabilitative care to service personnel to help force generation and recovery. This could be within a Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility, on various military exercises or on deployments
Your job will predominantly be clinical in nature assessing and treating military patients potentially from all 3 Services who present with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries as well as some managerial duties.
There may be further opportunities to work on front-line Main Operating Bases around the world, at large Regional Rehabilitation Unit and at the new national centre of excellence, the Defence National Rehabilitation Centre at Loughborough.
It is highly likely that you will be deployed to provide specific skills in support of a military campaign, where you will provide essential care to front-line personnel in the most challenging of environments. Within your first few years, you will probably be deployed overseas for anything from a few days to several months. You will deliver the same high standard of care as you would at home, but you will have to handle the extra challenges of working in a field hospital or deployed medical facility, whether that is a tent in the desert or a mobile treatment centre. All Medical Support Officer Physiotherapy Officers are given specific training in aviation medicine and occupational health issues specific to a military setting.
Applicants must be a fully qualified and HCPC registered physiotherapist with a BSc or MSc (pre-registration) in Physiotherapy. You must have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience which must include Band 5 rotations which includes a respiratory rotation and a minimum of 12 months experience in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting.
Physiotherapy Officers play a vital role in ensuring personnel are fit and ready for action in the UK and on deployed Operations overseas. A rare opportunity has arisen where we are seeking to recruit to this unique role and are looking for suitably qualified, motivated individuals who are looking for new challenges. Your role is pivotal in maintaining the effectiveness of the RAF in delivering Air Power by maximising the fitness of personnel for their tasks.
You will be employed in a variety of challenging clinical and management roles, including primary care rehabilitation facilities across the country. There will be opportunities to work on front-line Main Operating Bases around the world, at large Regional Rehabilitation Units and at the new centre of excellence, the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Stanford Hall, Loughborough. You will be deployed on Operations and Exercises to provide musculoskeletal outpatient and Secondary Healthcare support, where you will provide essential care to front-line personnel in the most challenging of environments. You will deliver the same high standard of care as you would in the UK; however, with the additional challenges of working in a deployed medical treatment facility.
On top of a competitive salary, consistent support and exceptional training, we offer a structured and progressive career path designed to encourage and reward excellence. The RAF is a strong advocate of continuous professional development; this will include various types of on-going professional training to ensure your continued registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Physiotherapists are strongly encouraged to undertake master’s level study in a clinically relevant subject.
All Physiotherapy Officers complete specialist training in aviation medicine and occupational health specific to a military setting. The Branch also has a sub-cadre of Secondary Healthcare trained physiotherapists who will deliver physiotherapy within a deployed hospital setting.
Benefits of an RAF Career
- Six weeks of paid holiday each year
- Free health and dental care
- Free gym membership and access to fitness classes.
- Lower rental costs than the UK average (available for RAF accommodation on and off-base)
- Opportunities for Adventurous Training.
Residency and Nationality Requirements
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth. Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.
A Modern Force
The RAF recognises the value of a person’s ability no matter their ethnicity, social background, religion or belief, gender identity, sexual orientation or marital status/civil partnership.
For more information about the role and details of our application process, visit the RAF Recruitment website.