What are the requirements for the different levels?
Bronze Level
- A structured sports physio CPD plan
- 100 hours shadowing experience
- At least 2 years post graduate full time work
- Sports first aid course
- Evidence of CPD in traditional taping
- At least 4 course reflections covering key sports physio skills
- At least 4 critical incident reflections covering a range of IFSP competencies
It is expected to take approximately 2 years to acquire both the affective and cognitive skills required at Level 1, however, this will vary from person to person. Affective and cognitive skills have been defined in the CSP policy statement on CPD (2000). This pathway can be started whilst you are still a student, however submission should not be until the adequate full time work criteria has been met.
Silver Level
- A structured sports physio CPD plan
- 100 hours shadowing experience
- 300 hours of independent sports physio experience
- At least 4 years post-graduate full-time work
- Sports trauma course
- Evidence of CPD in traditional taping, massage and functional rehab
- At least 8 course reflections covering key sports physio skills
- At least 6 critical incident reflections covering a range of IFSP competencies
It is expected to take approximately 4 years to acquire both the affective and cognitive skills required at Level 2, however, this will vary from person to person.
Affective and cognitive skills have been defined in the CSP policy statement on CPD (2000). This level of professional development should be considered as the NHS equivalent of band 7.
Gold Level
- A structured sports physio CPD plan
- 100 hours shadowing experience
- 500 hours of independent sports physio experience
- At least 6 years post-graduate full-time work
- Sports trauma course
- Evidence of CPD in traditional taping, massage and functional rehabilitation
- At least 12 course reflections covering key sports physio skills
- At least 8 critical incident reflections covering a range of IFSP competencies.
- Completion of M-Level education mapped to the IFSPT competencies.
It is expected to take approximately 6 years to acquire both the affective and cognitive skills required at Level 3, however, this can vary from person to person. This level of professional development should be considered as the NHS equivalent of an Extended Scope Practitioner or Clinical Specialist.
Level 3 Gold Certification entitles the member to become a physios in sport Accredited Sports Physiotherapist, enabling registration with the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT).
Which First Aid / Sport Trauma courses are recognised as being suitable for Silver and Gold applications?
There are a variety of courses that meet the education and content requirements that would support an individual developing their trauma CPD beyond Bronze level. Whilst other courses available, the courses highlighted have been deemed to meet the required standards by the ACPSEM Education Committee.
Please see the useful sources page for the link to these course details.
Once a year the educational committee reviews other such courses on the market and this list is updated as appropriate with any newly recognised Sports Trauma management courses.