Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Working Life

Osteopathy is a form of complementary medicine that uses a 'holistic' approach, looking at each person as a whole. The osteopath aims to assist the client's health by improving the function of the muscular-skeletal system, and its effect on the nervous system.  
 
Before making a diagnosis, the osteopath will take a history of the client's problem. This will include any previous problems, a full medical history and other aspects of life, including work, leisure habits, diet and exercise.  
 
Next, the osteopath examines the client by looking at their posture and gait. They may also conduct a medical examination i.e., check reflexes, blood pressure etc. They use their hands (rather than machinery) to feel the state of the muscles, ligaments and joints of the limbs and spine.  
 
Sometimes the osteopath will recommend that the client has an X-ray taken, but usually they can start treatment on a first visit.  
 
Osteopaths pay particular attention to the effects that muscles and ligaments have on joint movement. They use 'soft tissue' techniques (a form of deep massage) as well as direct manipulation of joints to help encourage full movement and restore a normal state of function to the client's internal systems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
• Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
• Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
• Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
• Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
• Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
• Analyse x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
• Counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, or other matters.
• Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.
• Recommend and arrange for diagnostic procedures, such as blood chemistry tests, saliva tests, x-rays, or other imaging procedures.

Further Information

• Osteopath- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Osteopath- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

In Ireland osteopathy is an officially registered medical practice and it is illegal to practice without being registered with the OCI Osteopathic Council of Ireland.

To register as an osteopath you must complete one of the courses recognised by the General Osteopathic Council. All members registered with the General Osteopathic Council have undertaken approved courses in the UK, including accredited osteopaths who are now practicing in the Republic of Ireland see here.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: personal trainer with sports massage, sports injury, massage therapy, sports injury, soft tissue massage therapy, sports injury prevention, sports massage therapies, sports studies, physiology, massage.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: personal trainer with sports massage, sports injury, massage therapy, sports injury, soft tissue massage therapy, sports injury prevention, sports massage therapies, sports studies, physiology, massage.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: health, leisure with massage.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: nursing, orthopaedic nursing, sports and orthopaedic massage, primary care, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal medicine, specialist practice.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

All osteopaths who are members of the OCI have completed or met the following criteria:

• An honours degree in Osteopathy (minimum 4 years full time, or 5-6 years part-time)
• 1000 hours supervised clinical tuition
• Have full professional indemnity/malpractice cover equivalent to at least STG £2.5 million
• Have no previous criminal convictions history
• They have received training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and techniques.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €68k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Medical practitioners.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

The annual average employment growth over the five-year period was above average for medical practitioners, with almost 6,000 additional persons employed since 2019. The gender split was broadly in line with the national average, whereas, at 33%, the share of non-Irish citizens employed was above average.

Almost 1,700 new employment permits were issued for roles including senior house officers, registrars, GPs and in emergency medicine.

Mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey were for those in psychiatric and emergency medicine and GPs. The share of OJAs for medical practitioners (as a share of all healthcare related OJAs) increased from 11% to nearly a fifth between 2023 and 2024. Issues with sourcing GPs has been particularly highlighted. There has been an increase in the annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme, with 350 new training places made available in 2024. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the number of GPs through both international recruitment and increasing the number of training places. 

Our population growth and ageing population will lead to increased demand for medical practitioners across services and shortages are expected to persist.  

Skills shortage:

Medical practitioners

• Irish Osteopathic Association

  • Regional Careers Officer, 10 Winton Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6
  • (01) 676 8819
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• European School of Osteopathy

  • Boxley House, The Street, Boxley, Maidstone ME14 3GZ
  • +44 (0)1622 671558
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• UCAS

  • Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
  • +44 330 3330 230
  • Click Here

• General Osteopathic Council

  • Osteopathy House, 176 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LU
  • +44 (0)207 357 6655
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The College of Osteopaths

  • 13 Furzehill Road, Borehamwood, WD6 2DG
  • +44 (0)020 8905 1937
  • Click Here

• Osteopathic Council of Ireland

  • 7 Mount St. Cresent, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 8819
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• London School of Osteopathy

  • 11 Selsdon Way, Docklands, London E14 9GL
  • +44 (0)20 7237 1422
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here