Rehabilitation medicine
Doctors in rehabilitation medicine assess and treat patients with complex disabling conditions.
You’ll experience a demanding and varied role with the goal of optimising a patient’s recovery after a severe injury, improving their capabilities and ability to participate in society.
Life as a doctor in rehabilitation medicine
You’ll also use your expertise to make sure patients recover as well as possible after illnesses such as COVID-19.You’ll deliver neurorehabilitation treatment to patients with neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
You’ll also treat patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and many of your patients will have widespread vascular disease or congenital limb abnormalities. Some will present both neurological and musculoskeletal problems, for example patients with cerebral palsy.Treating patients with such a wide and varied range of conditions demands an excellent diagnostic ability. You’ll need to manage both acute and chronic complications and be able to take a long-term view to a patient’s care. Doctors in rehabilitation medicine often work with a patient from immediately after an acute event through to discharge and rehabilitation in the community.
Your role will require close collaboration with numerous colleagues to deliver:- hyper-acute rehabilitation – taking patients directly from critical care services
- major trauma rehabilitation and rehabilitation along the acute care pathway
- assessment and management of patients with disorders of consciousness
- closer working relationships between neurological rehabilitation and other services including spinal cord injuries centres, clinical neurosciences, stroke medicine
- improved skills in the management of chronic pain
- end-of-life care in patients with complex disability
- interactions with the courts for medico-legal issues including litigation and mental capacity, best interests decision-making, deprivation of liberty, etc.
- further differentiation of specific fields of interest within the specialty including further development of musculoskeletal rehabilitation and increased focus on vocational rehabilitation
- further development of community-based specialist services
Rehabilitation medicine is a highly rewarding specialty. The long-term nature of treatment will allow you to get to know your patient and their family and deliver first-class, holistic care.
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the Pay for doctors page.How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
In addition, doctors in rehabilitation medicine need to demonstrate:
- analysing and solving complex clinical problems
- a holistic approach to patient and family care
- patience, enthusiasm and optimism
- empathy and sense of humour
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
What are my chances of starting a career as a doctor in rehabilitation medicine?
In 2021, there were 159 consultants in rehabilitation medicine in the NHS in England. In addition, there were 42 applications for 14 training places.How to become a doctor in rehabilitation medicine
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a doctor in rehabilitation medicine, which will take a minimum of six years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career as a doctor in rehabilitation medicine can take you
You could:- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- develop medico-legal or private clinical practice
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Speciality Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Burslem, ST6 7AG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Specialist
Telford, TF3 4AG
- Salary :
- £28266.00 to £28266.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Rehabilitation Assistant
Leeds, LS12 3QE
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Rehabilitation Instructor
Saffron Walden, CB11 3HY
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Instructor
Darlington, DL1 5RP
- Salary :
- £25900.00 to £31000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cora Health Group Limited
-
Rehabilitation Specialist
Taunton, TA2 6AN
- Salary :
- £28954.00 to £28954.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Community Rehabilitation Assistant
Dorchester, DT1 1SH
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Rehabilitation Assistant
Cirencester, GL7 1UY
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Support Worker
Martham, NR29 4QG
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
-
Cardiac Rehabilitation Administrator
Reading, RG1 6DL
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
Senior Rehabilitation Assistant
60 b Keighley road, HX2 8AL
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community Rehabilitation Assistant
Bournemouth, BH7 6JF
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Consultant Psychiatrist
St Neots, PE19 2JA
- Salary :
- £80000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine
Swindon, SN4 9BY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Prospect Hospice
-
Specialist Doctor in Elderly Medicine
Wakefield, WF14DG
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £111441.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
-
Rehabilitation Consultant Psychiatrist
St Neots, PE19 2JA
- Salary :
- £80000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Therapy Support Worker
Brecon, LD3 0LU
- Salary :
- £25313.00 to £26999.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Powys Teaching Health Board
-
Rehabilitation & Wellbeing Team Lead
London, SE2 0GB
- Salary :
- £44902.00 to £57372.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Community Hospice
-
Lead Vision Rehabilitation Specialist
Trowbridge, BA14 8JN
- Salary :
- £41511.00 to £43693.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wiltshire Council
-
B4 Rehabilitation Assistant Practitioner
Bury st Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Support Worker (Ward)
South Molton, EX364DP
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Major Trauma Rehabilitation Coordinator
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Physiotherapist Neuro-Rehabilitation
Oxford, OX3 7HE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Bank Senior Doctor - General Medicine
Redhill, RH1 5RH
- Salary :
- £75.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor Palliative Medicine - Sustantive
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine (A&E)
Redditch, B98 7UB
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Geriatrics and Stroke medicine
York, YO318HE
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine (2nd post)
Redhill, RH1 5RH
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Locally Employed Doctor in Respiratory Medicine
Manchester, M23 9LT
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Research Fellow – Trust Doctor in Medicine
London, NW1 2BU
- Salary :
- £52656.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Care Support Worker - Rehabilitation Service
Mexborough, S64 0AZ
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
-
B6 Occupational Therapist Community Rehabilitation
cleator moor, CA255HP
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist within Rehabilitation Psychiatry
Plymouth, PL4 7PY
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Livewell Southwest
-
AHP Team Lead Rehabilitation Coach
Penarth, CF64 2XX
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
-
Dietetic Assistant Practitioner (Pulmonary Rehabilitation)
Neath Port Talbot, SA11 3SU
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Swansea Bay University Health Board
-
Static Physiotherapist in Inpatient Rehabilitation
Newport, NP20 2UB
- Salary :
- £39263.00 to £47280.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine
Romford, RM4 1QH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Saint Francis Hospice
-
Band 5 Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI)
Peterborough, PE8 6HB
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services)
-
Ward Manager - Oxford Stroke Rehabilitation Unit
Abingdon, OX14 1AG
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
-
Rehabilitation Assistant - Southern Parishes Therapy Team
Southampton, SO30 3JB
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Rehabilitation Assistant (Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy)
Norwich, NR2 2PJ
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist, Mental Health Rehabilitation, Wesham
Wesham, PR4 3HA
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 6 Exercise Physiologist Cardiac Rehabilitation
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Rehabilitation Assistant - Gloucester, Stroud, Cheltenham & Cotswolds
Gloucester, GL1 3PX
- Salary :
- £24169.00 to £25674.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community CMSRT Rehabilitation Assistant - South Warwickshire
Warwick, CV9 2DD
- Salary :
- £24625.00 to £25674.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist in AMH Inpatient rehabilitation
Darlington, DL2 2TS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor/Clinical Fellow in Palliative Medicine
Romford, RM4 1QH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Saint Francis Hospice
-
Integrated Support Worker - Rehabilitation Rye Memorial Hospital
Rye, TN317UD
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Fixed Term Specialist Occupational Therapist - Stroke & Rehabilitation
Telford, TF1 6TF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
-
Locally Employed Doctor (Higher) in Emergency Medicine QEHB
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Psychiatrist in IP Adult Rehabilitation Service Psychiatry
Houghton Le Spring, DH5 8NB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a doctor in rehabilitation medicine, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine
The Society for Research in Rehabilitation
And hear from people working as doctors in rehabilitation medicine:
A career in rehabilitation medicine (BMJ)
General practice or rehabilitation medicine: why not both? (BMJ)