‘Am I practising as a physiotherapist?’

The Professional Advice Service frequently receives enquiries from members asking if they are practising as a physiotherapist and should remain in the ‘chartered membership working’ category. Examples have included non-clinical managers leading AHP teams and those working in advanced clinical practitioner roles outside of physiotherapy services. In the majority of cases the answer is yes, you are practising as a physiotherapist. 

HCPC regulation

If you are HCPC registered, or if your job description requires you to be a registered healthcare practitioner, then you are practising and regulated as a physiotherapist. As a physiotherapist you need to be able to demonstrate you meet the standards that are relevant to your role. If you are working in a non-clinical role, such as a service lead, you will be practising in the leadership and management pillars of practice. If you are working in an ACP role where your advanced practice skills sit outside the scope of physiotherapy practice, you remain regulated under your primary profession as a physiotherapist. 

CSP membership

If you are in a role where you are using your physiotherapy skills from any of the four pillars and declaring to the HCPC that you are practising as a physiotherapist, the membership category you need is ‘chartered member working’. 

Although you may be non-patient facing or are practicing skills that are outside of the scope of physiotherapy, you are still a physiotherapist and CSP membership benefits still apply to you. Workplace support, the Professional Advice Service and e-library services are just a few.