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Osteopath

Osteopaths prevent, diagnose and treat of a wide range of health problems using manual therapy, exercise and advise. Their aim is to promote the best health, based on the individual needs of the patient.

Working life

You'll work as a self-employed primary care [1] practitioner who's able to diagnosis and treat a wide range of health issues. You'll able to spend substantially more time with patients than most professionals in primary care [1]. There are also opportunities to work within the NHS and in secondary care [2]. 

You'll be an expert in the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to other systems of the body in the promotion of good health.

You'll provide care that includes a range of interventions specific to each patient, including:

  • manual therapy techniques
  • physical therapy (rehabilitation and exercise prescription)
  • health advice
  • self-management guidance

Who would I work with?

You'll be trained to work with patients of all ages and skilled at identifying a wide range of health conditions. You'll refer to other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes for the patient. You may also work in private healthcare with other healthcare specialists.

Most osteopaths are self-employed with increasing opportunities to work in the NHS in multidisciplinary musculoskeletal units, where they may work as part of a team including acupuncturists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and psychotherapists. 

Entry requirements and training 

You'll be trained to degree level gaining either a Bachelor’s (BSc) or Masters of Science (MSc). Courses typically last four to five years and are a combination of academic, research and over 1,000 hours of patient-facing clinical training. This intensive medical training will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, psychology and pathology combined with clinical examination techniques.

Following your training, you must register with the General Osteopathic Council [3] to practise in the UK. 

Where the role can lead 

After graduating, you may choose to set up your own private clinic, work in the NHS or in provate healthcare. You may then choose to become an advanced clinical practitioner through postgraduate training in a specifc area of practice such as sports injuries, care of the elderly or working with children. There are also opportunities for study at MSc and PhD level. Non-clinical career roles also exist in teaching, professional development and research.

In the NHS, you may choose to expand your post by taking on the management and leadership responsibilities.

Pay and benefits 

In the NHS, your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours. As an NHS osteopath, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system [4], typically starting on band 5. You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

You are more likely to work for yourself, which many osteopaths find an attractive option as it allows for greater flexibility and choice for career progression. 

  • Live NHS vacancies
    • View Vacancy [5]

      Osteopath (Immunisations)

      London, E1 8PR

      • Salary:

        £24,907 - £30,615 per annum

      • Type:

        Fixed term

      • Employer:

        Barts Health NHS Trust

      • View Vacancy
    • View Vacancy [6]

      MSK Physiotherapist/Osteopath

      Crawley Hospital, Horsham Hospital, Crawley and Horsham, RH12 2DR

      • Salary:

        £24,907-£30,615

      • Type:

        Permanent

      • Employer:

        Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

      • View Vacancy
  • Find your course to become an osteopath
    Displaying 1 - 5 of 17 matches

    M.Ost Masters in Osteopathy

    London, The British College of Osteopathic Medicine (validated by Plymouth University)

    View course Opens in a new window
    [7]

    Region
    London

    Type of course
    Undergraduate

    Full or part time
    Full time

    Duration
    4 years

    Contact details
    admissions@bcom.ac.uk [8] 020 7435 6464

    Course webpage
    https://www.bcom.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-m-ost/ [7]

    Admissions address

    British College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Lief House
    Finchley Road
    London
    NW3 5HR

    Course webpage
    https://www.bcom.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-m-ost/ [7]

    Successful students graduate from BCOM with a validated integrated Masters degree from Plymouth University, BCOM’s Diploma in Osteopathy (DO) and Diploma in Naturopathy (ND). Please contact the College directly for further information.

    MSc Osteopathy (pre-registration)

    London, University College of Osteopathy

    View course Opens in a new window
    [9]

    Region
    London

    Type of course
    Undergraduate

    Full or part time
    Full time

    Duration
    2 years

    Contact details
    admissions@uco.ac.uk [10] 020 7089 5316

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/msc-osteopathy-pre-registration [9]

    Admissions address

    Teaching Centre
    275 Borough High Street
    London 
    ​SE1 1JE

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/msc-osteopathy-pre-registration [9]

    This fast-track course is specifically designed for those who are already qualified in medicine, sports therapy, chiropractic or physiotherapy. Please contact the School for more information.

    M.Ost Master of Osteopathy (part-time)

    London, University College of Osteopathy

    View course Opens in a new window
    [11]

    Region
    London

    Type of course
    Undergraduate

    Full or part time
    Part time

    Duration
    5 years

    Contact details
    admissions@uco.ac.uk [10] 020 7089 5316

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-part-time [11]

    Admissions address

    Teaching Centre
    275 Borough High Street
    London 
    ​SE1 1JE

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-part-time [11]

    M.Ost Master of Osteopathy

    London, University College of Osteopathy

    View course Opens in a new window
    [12]

    Region
    London

    Type of course
    Undergraduate

    Full or part time
    Full time

    Duration
    4 years

    Contact details
    admissions@uco.ac.uk [10] 020 7089 5316

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-full-time [12]

    Admissions address

    Teaching Centre
    275 Borough High Street
    London
    SE1 1JE

    Course webpage
    https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-full-time [12]

    BOst (Hons) Osteopathy

    London, College of Osteopaths, London and Stoke-on-Trent (validated by Staffordshire University).

    View course Opens in a new window
    [13]

    Region
    London

    Type of course
    Undergraduate

    Full or part time
    Part time

    Duration
    5 years

    Contact details
    admin@collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk [14] 020 8905 1937

    Course webpage
    https://www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk/osteopathy-programme/ [13]

    Admissions address

    13 Furzehill Road
    Borehamwood
    Hertfordshire
    WD6 2DG

    Course webpage
    https://www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk/osteopathy-programme/ [13]

    This course is delivered in collaboration with the University of Derby

    • Load more [15]

Other roles that may interest you

  • Physiotherapist [16]
  • Podiatrist [17]
  • Psychotherapist [18]
  • Experienced paramedic [19]

Source URL: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/osteopath

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Primary_care
[2] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Secondary_care
[3] http://www.osteopathy.org.uk
[4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/agenda-change-pay-rates
[5] https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/916344047
[6] https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/916338125
[7] https://www.bcom.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-m-ost/
[8] mailto: admissions@bcom.ac.uk
[9] https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/msc-osteopathy-pre-registration
[10] mailto: admissions@uco.ac.uk
[11] https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-part-time
[12] https://www.uco.ac.uk/courses/masters-osteopathy-most-degree-full-time
[13] https://www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk/osteopathy-programme/
[14] mailto: admin@collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk
[15] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/print/3372?page=1
[16] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/physiotherapist
[17] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/podiatrist
[18] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/psychotherapist
[19] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/ambulance-service-team/roles-ambulance-service/experienced-paramedic