Jessica Cachia, MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation graduate
The University of Plymouth was instrumental in Jessica's development as a health care professional
Current employer: Ministry of Health – Mater Dei Hospital
Current job title: Allied Health Professional – Physiotherapist
Current location: Malta
The University of Plymouth has been instrumental in my development as a health care professional.
Jessica Cachia
My path after graduation
After completing my undergraduate physiotherapy course in Malta in 2020, I initially started working in different areas around Malta’s general hospital (Mater Dei Hospital), mainly the medical and oncology areas. This was then followed by a year working at the Stroke Unit of the main rehabilitation hospital (Karen Grech Hospital). Since completing my masters at Plymouth, I have now started working at the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit within Malta’s outpatient hospital (St. Luke’s Hospital).
Obtaining this masters degree has acted as an asset to my career. It has added to my knowledge with regards to treating neurological patients, allowing me to provide more evidence-based, and thus more effective, treatment regimes to such patients. Moreover, it has also encouraged me to disseminate this new knowledge to my fellow colleagues.
Pursuing my dreams
Pursuing my MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation degree at Plymouth has been the most exciting point in my career so far. I have known that I wanted to specialise in neurological rehabilitation since I was still a physiotherapy student. Being able to complete this life goal is something which I will always be proud of and grateful for.
Moving to the UK to pursue this masters full-time was the right decision for me. It allowed me to fully focus my efforts into my learning, whilst having the time to reflect on my previous clinical practice.
Taught by experts
The University of Plymouth has been instrumental in my development as a health care professional. With regards to the MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation, the course meets high academic standards, with an interesting and varied curriculum taught by experts in the field. Focusing on the University itself, many facilities and resources are available, as well as approachable student support services.
Although we did not undertake any official placements during the degree, we still had the opportunity to assess and treat some neurological patients during certain study units, particularly the unit relating to the clinical management of hypertonia. This was beneficial, as each patient had a completely different presentation of tone, and thus one could properly understand the challenges these different presentations brought about.
Advice for prospective students
Do not give up! Becoming a physiotherapist involves a lot of hard work, however it is also very rewarding. I also suggest specialising in a specific area of physiotherapy that aligns with your interests and passions. Specialisation can set you apart and unfold unique career opportunities. It is also very important to keep up to date with new clinical research and technological advancements, as the physiotherapy journey is ongoing.