Alec Rickard

I am Associate Head of School for Teaching and Learning within the School of Health Professions. Until recently, I was also the programme lead for the MPhysio (Hons) Physiotherapy integrated masters programme, having previously led BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. I have been part of the Physiotherapy team here at Plymouth since 2005, having also been the admissions tutor for many years. In addition, I am also the academic liaison person for the University of Plymouth's validated courses at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCNO), London and a new partnership with IOE in Bordeaux. 

I have experience of multi- and inter-disciplinary teaching and support of students from various other programmes, including the MSc Advanced Professional Practice and Non-Medical Prescribing programmes and also previously acted as programme lead for the DipHE in Operating Department Practice. In addition to teaching, I also continue to support health professions students on clinical placement and undergraduate and postgraduate research. I am regularly involved with extra curricular and outreach activities, which has previously included organising the physiotherapy service at the Plymouth Half Marathon and a successful pilot Occupational Health Physiotherapy Clinic for University staff.

Until the end of 2024, I have been involved with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's (CSP) South West Regional Network as a member of the core team since 2017 and then as chair for the last 4 years. This involved arranging continuing professional development for those in the region, both as online meetings and webinars, as well as an in-person annual conference. Prior to this I had previously chaired the national admissions tutors' forum of the CSP 

Prior to joining the University, I worked in various positions as a physiotherapist in the NHS, in London and then the South West (including Torbay and Derriford Hospitals), where I began specialising in the management of chronic pain. this included setting up and running physio-led biopsychosocial-based exercise programmes in addition to the full pain management programme with the Clinical Psychologist, as well the development of an Extended Scope Practitioner role within a local Pain Clinic.

1997-to date Registered Physiotherapist with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC – formerly HPC and CPSM)

1997-to date Member of Chartered Society in Physiotherapy (MCSP)

2001-to date Member of the Physiotherapy Pain Association

2003 - 2010 Member of the British Pain Society

2007-to date Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

2007-to date    CSP - moderator for the admissions tutors' network on iCSP
2007-to 2012  CSP admissions tutor’s forum; Vice chair 2010-11 and Chair 2011-12
2008-2009       Aimhigher/SWLLLN: Higher Education Advocate for the Society, Health and Development Diploma

2012-to 2014  Invited member CSP e-learning strategy steering group

2017 - 2024  CSP South West Regional Network committee (Chair from 2021) 

BSc (Hons) /MPhysio (Hons) / MSc pre-registration Physiotherapy
 - Module lead for various module over the years, including Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Movement Science and Movement in Health and Disease 
 - teaching/facilitating: Muscoloskeletal, Complex Case Management and Problem-Based Learning/Enquiry Based Learning  

Previously:

EOE3414 Sports Injuries

MSc Work and Wellbeing - Module lead WWB503 Facilitating change: the person, work and environment

MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Work and Wellbeing) - module lead ADV701 Contemporary Issues in Work and Wellbeing

Masterclasses (condition management/return to work)

Non-medical prescribing/Supplementary Prescribing for Health Professionals (Associate tutor) - level 6 and 7