New Grad Physio Continuing Professional Development

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New Grad Physio Continuing Professional Development

Andy Barker | Sport & MSK Physio

Mentoring Student & New Grad Therapists

29/10/2026

All those years studying.

Placements done, experience gained, so you start applying for jobs.

But the replies aren’t coming.

No interviews.

No offers.

Just another rejection…

Or worse, complete silence.

So what do you do?

Apply for more jobs?

Rewrite your CV again?

Sign up for another CPD course?

Maybe it’s time to stop.

In this episode, I explain why repeatedly applying for every physio job you see might be holding you back...

Why employers need a reason to remember you...

And how to start approaching your job search differently.

Because getting a job isn’t just about being a good physio.

It’s about demonstrating the value you can bring to an employer.

If you’re a final-year student or new grad physio struggling to get your foot in the door, this episode is for you.

Available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-new-grad-physio-podcast/id1475177676

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5y322dFqxt7GFYrcc7cgkw

The podcast is also available on all the usual places, just search ‘New Grad Physio’ podcast.

Enjoy the show!

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

26/10/2026

If at first you don't succeed...STOP!

If you got to session 3 with a patient and they'd made ZERO progress...

You'd change the rehab plan.

You wouldn't keep giving them the same exercises and treatments, hoping something eventually works.

So why do so many new grad physios keep doing exactly that with their job search?

Applying for every physio job they see.

Spending hours tweaking their CV.

Writing cover letter after cover letter.

Only to get…

No replies.

No interviews.

No job offers.

And then do exactly the same, all over again!

The answer isn't always to send more applications.

Sometimes, you need to change the plan.

I see so many talented new grad physios working incredibly hard.

Completing CPD.

Gaining experience.

Applying for every opportunity they can find.

Yet they're still getting nowhere.

And the problem might not be their grades, experience or ability to become a great physio.

It might be HOW they're approaching their job search.

Because employers need a reason to notice you, remember you and invite you for an interview.

Sending another generic application (even if you've useChatGPT to help write it) isn't necessarily going to make you stand out.

So, if what you're doing isn't working, take a step back.

Stop banging your head against the wall.

There's a smarter way to get your foot in the door.

I've put together a FREE career training explaining how to approach your job search differently and give yourself a better chance of getting noticed.

Watch it here...

https://info.newgradphysio.com/footinthedoorwatch

Stop doing more of what isn't working.

Start doing things differently.

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

22/10/2026

I asked a question earlier this week on my socials...

Are physio's really better clinicians than sports therapists and sports rehabilitators?

And it blew up!

I expected as much.

The response I got (or didn't get) from physio's was probably the most interesting!

This episode is a must listen if you are a physio, sports therapist or sports rehabber and in the pod you will learn...

Why some physios assume their degree makes them superior (it doesn't by the by!)

Why your professional title dos not guarantee clinical competence (far from it) and...

What you can (if you are open-minded) learn from other professions working in MSK and sports rehabilitation.

Being a good clinician isn't about the letters after your name.

It's about the difference you make to your patients and athletes.

Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-new-grad-physio-podcast/id1475177676

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5y322dFqxt7GFYrcc7cgkw

The podcast is also available on all the usual platforms…

Just search ‘New Grad Physio Podcast.’

Enjoy the show!

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

21/10/2026

My last post, and the debate around a NHS roles being open to physio AND sports therapy/rehab graduates clearly touched a nerve.

And I wonder if it's because...

Some physios are worried that other professionals can do the job just as well?

I've always been proud to be a physio.

It's given me some of my best life experiences, being able to travel the World, working with the best of the best, in loads of different sports.

It's given me the opportunity to set up businesses, helping patients and athletes...

And mentor the next promising student and new grad therapists.

But physios don't own this space.

I've had a big response to my last post...

Mostly from 'non-physio's', mostly supporting my comments.

I found it interesting, the lack of comments from physio's...

And even more so, some of the comments made.

One of the main gripes that came up a few times from physio's, is pay.

One said in response to my last post (via DM) ...

'Bo****ks load of bo****ks. Tripe. Not a regulated industry for a reason...

Well it is regulated but you know what i mean...

Just another loophole for physio clinics to pay people less.'

But here's another uncomfortable question...

Are new graduate physios actually worth what we're paying them?

I said as much in my reply to him (he's not responded yet!).

Think about it...

A Band 5 starting salary is now £32k.

Private clinics and sports clubs often have to offer comparable salaries to recruit physios at a similar level.

That's a big investment in someone who needs considerable support, supervision and development (extra cost).

Yet we're sometimes quick to dismiss sports therapists and sports rehabilitators, despite their potentially relevant skills and training.

I'm not saying every sports therapist is better than every physio.

Qualifications, professional standards and scope of practice matter.

But a physiotherapy degree doesn't automatically make you the best candidate for the job.

If another professional can do the job just as well, that doesn't diminish your value.

It should challenge you to keep improving.

The question isn't which profession is better.

It's who is best equipped to do the job.

Am I being too provocative, or is this a conversation we need to have?

Let me know your thoughts!

PS. As physio clinic business owner, I employ both physio's and non-physios...

Who both equally do a great job (and our patients testify this).

And in regards to pay...

The therapists at the same level, get paid the same.

PPS. To those 'physios' feeling they are not getting paid what they should...

Maybe (like the guy that DM'd me), you are not offering enough value to your patients/athletes/clinic/department or club?

A tough one to admit I'm sure, but true for so many!

19/10/2026

WHY DO SOME PHYSIOS THINK THEY'RE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE? 👀

I saw a Band 5 MSK job advertised last week.

Open to physio AND sports therapy/rehab graduates.

Cue the debate...

Which in summary was just physios explaining why ‘non-physio’s’ should not be doing the job of a ‘physio.’

But here's my take.

Being a physio doesn't automatically make you a better clinician.

And being a sports therapist or sports rehabilitator doesn't make you any less capable.

Yes, our training differs (I’m a physio by the way).

But there's huge overlap in MSK assessment, exercise prescription and rehab.

I've seen sports therapists and sports rehabilitators do an outstanding job.

Sometimes, a better job than physios.

And it makes sense right.

Because...

❌ Your degree doesn't guarantee clinical competence.

❌ Your professional title doesn't guarantee better outcomes.

❌ Being proud of your profession doesn't mean you need to put others down.

❌ Paying your membership fee and being ‘chartered’ in all honesty means nothing to your patient

✅ Clinical reasoning matters.

✅ Communication matters.

✅ Building trust matters.

✅ Helping patients get better is what really matters.

I've always been proud to be a physio.

But we don't own MSK.

There are brilliant clinicians across every profession.

Is it time we dropped the ego, stopped defending our territories and started learning more from each other.

Because patients don't care about our professional rivalries.

They care about getting better.

What's your take?

Physios…

Are we too protective of our professional titles?

Sports Therapists & Sports Rehabbers…

Do you feel unfailrly looked down on by physios?

Let me know in the comments 👇

15/10/2026

I explore why unfamiliar injuries can knock your confidence as a new grad physio...

And more importantly, why falling back on the treatments and rehab exercises you already know doesn't always get the results you're looking for!

I talk through a real-life case study to highlight the importance of clinical reasoning, about questioning your initial diagnosis, considering differential diagnoses, to help you adapt your rehab when a patient isn't improving.

More importantly, I'll explain why you don't have to wait until you've seen an injury for the first time to start learning how to manage it.

Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-new-grad-physio-podcast/id1475177676

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5y322dFqxt7GFYrcc7cgkw

The podcast is also available on all the usual platforms…

Just search ‘New Grad Physio Podcast.’

Enjoy the show!

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

12/10/2026

Ever had a patient walk in with an injury you've never seen before…

And suddenly felt like an imposter?

You know your stuff.

You've assessed loads of patients.

But then someone presents with something unfamiliar.

A new grad DM'd me over the weekend with exactly this situation.

Their patient had a high hamstring tendon injury.

They'd never managed one before.

And suddenly, the self-doubt kicked in…

“Have I actually got this right?”

“Am I missing something?”

“What if I don't know how to manage this properly?”

Sound familiar?

Here's what often happens next.

You fall back on what you know.

Some soft tissue work.

A few strengthening exercises.

Gradually increase the load.

Hope for the best.

But a few weeks later…

They're no better.

So you change the exercises.

Add more strength work.

Hope time fixes things.

Sound familiar?

The problem?

You're treating an unfamiliar injury like every other injury you've seen.

But not every injury responds to the same approach, even when the presentation looks similar.

But here's the good news…

You don't have to wait until you've seen an injury to start learning how to manage it.

You can prepare beforehand.

Understand how the patient might present.

Know what to consider during your assessment.

Explore potential differential diagnoses.

Think through your treatment decisions and rehab plan.

All before you have that patient stood in front of you in the clinic room waiting for answers.

This is exactly why I share weekly case studies inside my New Grad Physio Members Group.

I posted a high hamstring injury case study this morning.

Not to give you another diagnosis to memorise.

But to help you develop the clinical reasoning skills to manage unfamiliar cases with more confidence.

Because the goal isn't to know everything.

It's to know how to approach a problem when you don't.

Want to become more confident assessing injuries, making clinical decisions and planning rehab?

Find out more about the New Grad Physio programme right here...

newgradphysio.com

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

09/10/2026

Everyone starts with a dream of working in elite sport. 🏉⚽

But a dream without a plan will ALWAYS remain a dream.

The question isn’t just where do you want to be?

It’s HOW are you going to get there?

Your starting point doesn’t define your destination.

Your plan, your actions, and your consistency will help determine how far you go.

Stop dreaming.

Start planning. 👊

PS. I take my kids to loads of big sports events.

Mainly because they love sport…

And I love spending 1:1 time with them.

But I also want them to see (in the flesh) the very best in the World!

Before you can do it…

You need to see it!

08/10/2026

Early in my career I never got this.

But one of the biggest improvements in my own practice came when I understood I could have such a bigger impact with my patients...

By simply asking better questions.

In this episode, you’ll discover why “getting out of pain” is rarely the real goal for any patient...

And why understanding what they actually want will completely change your assessments, communication and rehab planning.

And I’ll give you three simple questions you should be asking every patient you see (questions that were not taught at Uni)!

Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-new-grad-physio-podcast/id1475177676

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5y322dFqxt7GFYrcc7cgkw

The podcast is also available on all the usual platforms, just search ‘New Grad Physio.’

Enjoy the show!

Andy Barker

The New Grad Physio Mentor

07/10/2026

“Strawberry or Chocolate?”

A member of staff made this joke on camp recently.

It made me laugh (probably more than it should have done)…

But there’s a serious lesson in it.

All the best practitioners I’ve worked with, at the very top of their game, take their job incredibly seriously…

…but don’t take themselves too seriously.

They can have a laugh.

They can admit when they don’t know something.

They don’t feel they need to be the smartest person in the room.

And, importantly…

They know their role.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in multidisciplinary teams is people trying to step outside their lane.

The physio wants to be the S&C coach.

The S&C coach wants to be the physio.

The head coach wants to diagnose a players injury…

And tell you when they should be back fit!

Everyone wants to have an opinion on everything.

But here’s the thing…

Before you try to do someone else’s job…

Nail your own.

Be excellent at your role.

Understand what you bring to the team.

But know where your expertise ends.

And know when to bring someone else in.

Staying in your lane doesn’t mean being limited.

It means understanding that great teams work because different people bring different expertise.

The best MDTs I’ve worked in aren’t the ones where everyone tries to do everything.

They’re the ones where everyone knows…

“This is my job.”

“This is your job.”

“And together, we can do a better job for the athlete.”

Take your job seriously.

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

And before you start trying to do everyone else’s job…

Make sure you’re absolutely nailing your own.

Oh…

And if anyone asks what S&C stands for?

Strawberry or Chocolate.

Obviously. 🍓🍫

📸 Dr. Steve Thompson (a real S & C coach) kindly posed for this picture.

Steve is great guy and epitomises everything I said above.

He blends a really strong academic background with a strong understanding of how to apply this in real-life, with real players.

For this reason is one of (if not the best) applied practitioners I’ve had the pleasure of working with!

He’s also a big chocolate fan! 😜

Address

London

Website

http://www.newgradphysio.com/

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