Published: 3rd March 2022.
Written by Jodie Magrath
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) can set you up for a rewarding career in this growing field. Whether you want to work as a therapy aide, an allied health assistant or a physiotherapy assistant, this course can give you the practical skills you need to succeed. You’ll work closely with qualified physiotherapists to deliver physiotherapy programs to clients with a range of needs. You might work with people with a disability, elderly people or people recovering from an accident or illness.
The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) covers a range of topics to give you the knowledge and skills required in this field. You’ll learn to recognise healthy body systems and confirm the physical health status of clients. You’ll learn to support people with conditions such as chronic disease and dementia and explore topics such as interpreting medical terminology, communicating in health services and managing legal and ethical compliance. This course also includes a work placement so you can gain real world experience.
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) is an ideal course of study for the following careers:
Physiotherapy Assistant
A Physiotherapy Assistant provides support with the delivery of physiotherapy programs. You’ll work with qualified physiotherapists to follow plans designed for individual clients. Physiotherapy Assistants often work with clients in their own home, but you might also be based in a clinic or health facility. You might help clients with issues such as balance, strength or gross motor skills.
Allied Health Assistant
An Allied Health Assistant supports clients receiving allied health services such as occupational therapy, speech pathology or physiotherapy. You’ll work alongside qualified allied health professionals to deliver programs to clients with a range of needs. You might work with people with a disability, people recovering from physical trauma or elderly people.
Therapy Aide
Therapy Aides work with clients to support the therapy programs of qualified allied health professionals. You may provide a range of therapy aide services or specialise in an area such as physiotherapy, speech pathology or occupational therapy. A Therapy Aide assists clients in their own home or may follow a therapy plan at a health clinic.
Higher education pathways
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) will prepare you for work in this rewarding sector. You may also decide to further your skills with a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy), Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Speech Pathology) or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Community Rehabilitation).
If you choose to take your studies further, you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Allied Health or a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. This will expand your career opportunities and may allow you to take on an allied health role with more responsibility. You may be able to use a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) as a pathway to these courses.
Getting started
If you’re considering enrolling in a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy), it’s important you request information from a range of course providers. There are usually some differences in the way providers deliver their qualifications, so you’ll need to find the course that meets your needs. Find out about the duration of the course, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover.