Band 5 years - my advice

Published: 10/04/2023

Updated: 11/06/2023

Disclaimer: This advice is based upon my experience working at a University Hospital, therefore some of these things may differ from your job, but some will still be useful.

When I was a student, particularly during the final year of my BSc degree I wondered how it would be different from being a Band 5 compared to my student placements. I knew from the year above that it was a step up, but I wondered how I would manage the responsibility of patient care and maintaining my professional registration. 

Starting the rotation

• It's normal to feel tired and drained during the first two to three weeks of the rotation as you learn the new systems, assessments and documentation template or style the rotation uses
• Be kind to yourself and patient, you will get there eventually it will just take time
• Set aside 30 minutes 2 to 3 times a week in your own time to read up on any areas you are struggling with or where your knowledge is lacking. 

During the rotation

• A weekly clinical review in an amended SWOT format (strengths, weakness and your action plan) - this really helped me to plan my CPD and reflect upon the areas I wanted to improve
• Ask seniors for help or to supervise you as a learning opportunity when you are unsure or feel less confident/competent with a treatment/brace or other things. Seniors enjoy teaching/passing on their knowledge to others.
• Make sure you keep a record of your supervision and chase your supervisor if you are due a supervision 
• Note down any improvement feedback team members have and most importantly act on it
• Learn from your peers and seniors, take the best of each other their approaches
• Don't compare yourself to other Band 5's you are all on your own journey and have a different background of experience and skills - instead try to learn from each other

Preparing for the next rotation

• Make contact with the team for your next rotation 1 to 2 months prior and use this opportunity to ask for advice about areas to read up on 
• Ask other Band 5s who are on the rotation what they would recommend reading up or any advice they may have
• Set aside 30 minutes 1 to 2 times a week to prepare for the rotation and try to keep this up consistently until you start your new rotation. After all 30 minutes twice a week for a month = 4 hours of preparation
• Utilise preparation resources such as Band 5 teaching PowerPoint from the Trust or Clinical Physio webinars etc. Especially focus on gaining an overview rather than depth, to begin with.

CPD portfolio/HCPC CPD evidence

• Add to it consistently over the year with case reflections, course certificates, presentations you've presented etc
• Keep all the evidence either in an electronic or physical portfolio sorted into the 4 types of evidence: Formal and educational, professional activities, Self-directed learning and Work-based learning. 
• What you can use as evidence:

For more information: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/cpd/cpd-audits/completing-a-cpd-profile/cpd-evidence/

Other advice

• Find a Band 5 Buddy or Friend to talk to 
• Get to know other Band 5s from other rotations at Band 5 socials, they will become a useful support network and source of information in the future
• Make time for your own rest, either active or passive so you can refill your own emotional cup to bring your best to the job the next day

HMRC tax relief for job-related expenses

As we have to pay for our HCPC registrations to practice (in the UK) and if we choose to pay for the CSP registration we can claim tax relief for professional subscriptions and also a £125 flat rate expense for work uniforms. I would highly recommend filling in the eligibility questionnaire that leads to the tax relief application from HMRC https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees