Royal Air Force - Regular & Reserve

MEDICAL SERVICES Medical Support Officer (physiotherapist) CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Medical Support Officer, Physiotherapist, you will help keep our personnel fit and medically prepared for demanding operational roles.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Pay During Initial Officer Training + Six Months £28,860+ + Benefits

Pay Six Months Post IOT £34,690+ + Benefits

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: Depends on role, rank and experience

There are currently no vacancies for this role. Please telephone 0345 606 9069 to register your interest and receive notifications when vacancies become available.


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 20 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • Be a fully qualified physiotherapist, with a BSc or MSc (pre-registration) in Physiotherapy and registered with the HCPC
  • Have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience which includes Band 5 rotations, one of which must be a respiratory rotation
  • Have at least 12 months experience in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting
  • 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.
  • Commit to minimum 6 years service
  • Meet the fitness and health criteria
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Travelling the world
  • Sport & Fitness

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.
  • 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.
  • Must be a fully qualified and HCPC registered physiotherapist with a BSc or MSc (pre-registration) in Physiotherapy
  • Have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience. Have completed Band 5 rotations which must include a respiratory rotation
  • Have a minimum of 12 months experience in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting and plan to complete a further 2 years in the musculoskeletal clinical speciality
  • Commit 27 days per year
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Sport & Fitness
  • Health care

Locations

502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim (No current vacancies)
600 Sqn, RAF Northolt, Middlesex (No current vacancies)
612 Sqn, RAF Leuchars, Fife (No current vacancies)
4626 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (No current vacancies)

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Treat a broad range of Musculoskeletal cases in a primary care or regional rehabilitation setting
  • Care for injured front-line personnel
  • Provide primary care for the rehabilitation of RAF Personnel

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.

You can find out more about the role in this publication.

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

MSO Physiotherapy Officers play a vital role in ensuring personnel are fit and ready for action. There will be opportunities to gain experience on front-line Main Operating Bases, at large Regional Rehabilitation Units and at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Stanford Hall, Loughborough. You could be deployed on Operations and Exercises to provide musculoskeletal outpatient and Secondary Healthcare support. 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. All MSO Physiotherapy Officers complete specialist training in aviation medicine and provide occupational health advice to the multi-disciplinary team.

You will join your nearest geographically located RAF Medical Reserve unit: 612 Squadron at Leuchars Station, Fife; 4626 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire; 502 Squadron at Flying Station Aldergrove, Northern Ireland; or 600 Squadron at RAF Northolt, Middlesex.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.

You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Like all our Specialist Branch Officers, you will begin your RAF career on Specialist Officer Initial Training Course (SOITC) at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. This is a 12-week course specially designed for professionally qualified entrants to the RAF. The course includes fitness development, military training, weapons handling and academic study, as well as practical outdoor leadership challenges.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Following completion of SOITC, you will move to the Defence College of Healthcare Education and Training near Lichfield for a further 5 days of professional training, with fellow healthcare professionals, on the Initial Medical, Dental and Nursing Officers’ Course. The final part of this phase of training is a 2-week Aviation Medicine course at RAF Henlow.

More Details +

FOUNDATION TOUR

Like most people in the RAF you will move jobs every 2 - 3 years; each job is known as a tour. Primary care settings involve working in either Medical Centres at RAF bases or Regional Rehabilitation Units located throughout the UK. Depending on your knowledge and experience, you may be selected to work in a specialist field at DMRC Stanford Hall.

CAREER PROSPECTS

You will join the RAF on an initial commission of 6 years, during this time your service may be extended by competitive selection. MSO Physiotherapists are commissioned in the rank of Flying Officer with an award of one year’s seniority. Additional seniority may be awarded depending on recognised clinical experience. You will be promoted to Flight Lieutenant on a time and satisfactory service basis. All further promotions will be by competitive selection on merit, and Service need.

 

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

As a Physiotherapy Officer, you will have extensive opportunities for further personal and professional development throughout your career. 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. As an autonomous practitioner, you will have the opportunity to test your clinical and leadership skills in more challenging ways both in the UK and when deployed.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

As well as having similar promotion and development opportunities to civilian counterparts, Physiotherapy Officers have the chance to work around the world and gain unique medical experiences. Similarly, experience of military medical management and training provides RAF healthcare professionals with an excellent grounding for managerial progression if that is the chosen route for a future career.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

RAF Reserve Officers will begin with Reserve Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC(R) Part 1, delivered locally at your Sqn. BRTC(R) Part 2 is a 2-week course conducted at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, which should be completed within your first year in the RAF Reserves. BRTC(R) is designed to teach basic military skills such as weapon handling and fieldcraft.

This is followed by Reserve Officer Initial Training course (ROIT) at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, comprising up to 4 weekends and a 2-week residential phase. ROIT is designed to build upon the military skills gained during BRTC(R) and cultivate leadership skills through academic study and field exercises. Culminating in graduation from RAF Officer Training Academy, Cranwell as a Commissioned Officer. You will also undertake the Foundation Airpower training on completion of ROIT.  

SPECIALIST TRAINING

You will attend the Introductory RAF Medical Services Officers' Course at the Defence Medical Academy at DMS Whittington, Staffordshire and a 2-week Aviation Medicine course at the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, RAF Henlow. The final element of specialist training is a 2-week clinical placement in a Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility on a Fast Jet Flying Station.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS 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 (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 20 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

ALL APPLICANTS 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 (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged 18-54 (and meet all specialist/professional pre-requisites listed below)
Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Be a fully qualified and HCPC registered physiotherapist with a BSc or MSc (pre-registration) in Physiotherapy.
Have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience.
Have completed postgraduate Band 5 rotations, to include a respiratory rotation.
Have a minimum of 12 months experience in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting.

 

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

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 (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

Following the MOD announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance,  ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course.
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender.

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:

RAF Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Must be a fully qualified and HCPC registered physiotherapist with a BSc or MSc (pre-registration) in Physiotherapy.

Have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience. Have completed Band 5 rotations which must include a respiratory rotation.

Have a minimum of 12 months experience in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting and plan to complete a further 2 years in the musculoskeletal clinical speciality.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

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 (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass the test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 20 35
17-29 11.11 20 35
30-34 11.36 19 32
35-39 12 18 29
40-44 12.26 17 26
45-47 12.54 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 10 32
17-29 13.23 10 32
30-34 13.47 9 29
35-39 14.13 8 26
40-44 14.48 7 23
45-47 15.19 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Register Interest

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