starting out in Canada

[chris]

Hi,

I'm a third year physio student and i'll be living in Toronto next year. Can anyone give me some advice on the system over there and how it works for us newbies.

Many thanks,

Chris

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[chris]

Hello,

What i'd really like to know about Canada is whether its possible to work in different area as a junior after grauation. In england we have a junior rotation system and i'd like to do something similar, only in canada.

Thanks,

Chris

[jaishingdia]

hey chris,

i have just graduated as a physio here in the uk and have been looking for a junior job for 6-7 months! i dnt know if you realise the current job shortage for physio graduates. however my future plans for going to practice in canada seem to be now much more nearer in the future as i have still no job! i hae already started the allication process and was wondering if you had managed to find out any more about new graduates wanting to work in canada-reguards to any kind of 'junior' system?

id be happy to help you get more info as i am struggling myself!

jess

[andrea reid]

Hi Chris,

I am a Canadian citizen and completed my physio training in the UK, worked for 4 months as a junior (during my accreditation) and then returned to work here in Canada.

The system is completely different compared to the junior/senior II/senior I system in the UK. Basically, you apply for a job and sink or swim. Generally there is help available for new grads by willing co-workers, but in most cases it is an informal process. This is something you can negotiate with your future employer (i.e. incorporate supervision as part of your contract). In the odd case there is a rotation system, but usually the posts are for approximately a year before you rotate (and there is no formal Senior to mentor you).

Remember also that, in most cases, outpatient orthopaedic physio is provided by private clinics and not covered by the provincial medical system. Each hospital has a small outpatient department, but usually they see post operative joint replacment patients. If you are looking for more advanced outpatient orthopaedics you will end up working outside the public system.

Hope this helps.

Andrea

[sxm2slough]

Hi Jess,

I'm doing research for my girlfriend. She's hoping to come to Canada immediately after graduating from Southampton Uni physio and hopefully do the tests and start work within a year of arriving. What would your advice be about the likelihood of:
1) being allowed to sit the exams since the UK degree is only 3 years;
2) passing the exams at all - she is about the middle of her class and struggling with some of the exams
3) getting a job in a hospital - she worked as a physio asst for 2 yrs and loves ward-based physio

Thanks for you advice!

Frank

[physioo]

1) will have to do extra courses
2) they dont test knowledge but how u deal with client
3)would probably need a yr experience which she can get in a clinic

i tell u
patience as not easy

[chris]

Hi Andrea,

Thanks for your advice, it was really helpful. I am trying to get some information to compare the training I'd get in Canada as a newly graduated physio to the training in the UK rotations to see which will put me in the best position to be a rounded physio.

Do you know if the Canadian courses include suervised practical time within the degree that might be similar to being a junior, or if private courses are used to top up their skills and knowledge?

Thanks,

Chris

[jaishingdia]

hey frank....sorry just read your post.

sounds like you and your girlfriend have a long distance relationship?? like myself! lol.
anyway, i started getting my credentials assessed almost straight after graduating since the jobs in the nhs here are crap! however this has been a few months now and the canadian alliance have only JUST started assessing my profile. its a long process so my advice to you and your girlfriend is to get started if she is planning on coming soon.
as for exams...even i dont know if i can take them yet as my assesments are not complete. hopefully it wont be too much of a hassel....however, i have just started to make preparations to study for the exams. i realise they are difficult and pass rates dnt look too good. also, make sure your girlfriend is still getting some clinical experience after graduating...as job opportunities are not promising.

hope this helps!

jess

[tstrelioff]

Sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations!!! no, it is not easy as a foreign graduate to work in Canada. I am a Canadian trained physio, 1995 at the University of Saskatchewan. You have to write the national exam, which is only available a few times of the year, and only in certain places. It is very costly, and very intense! There is a written and a half day practical component. You must get approved to even sit for the exam. I do believe, that you can get employment, conditionally, if you are signed up and accepted for the exam.

The set up in Canada, is much different then it is in UK. There is no junior rotations, but if you are intrested in working for no pay, the practical clinical rotations may be an option.

My suggestion, is get in touch with the CPA (Canadian Physiotherapy Assoc.) www.cpa.ca, and the Canadian Alliance as previously mentioned. It may also be of help to get in touch with the provincial University where you plan to live, and see what they suggest. Do you have any physio connections in Canada? Province? Let me know if you have any other questions I may help you with.

Trish

[jaishingdia]

i eventually want to work privately...but in the mean time id love to work in an acute setting. whats the job situation like in Canada regarding hospitals ect.?

i know family in ontario (where i plan to go) do you think this will help?

also can you advise on visas ect.?

thanks jess

[tstrelioff]

Firstly,

I suggest you concentrate on passing the exam, and then worry about the job situation. In Ontario, I am not sure, but check out he ontario physiotherapy society web site, and or newsletter. Make contact with them and the CPA for more info, and or the universities in the area.

Good luck

[neving]

in Canada, when you graduate, you are considered a fully qualified physio. You will of course work in entry positions in hospitals, as anywhere else, but we have no manditory junior programs, etc. If you want to go into private practice, I would strongly recommend you get at least 2 years of experience in a variety of areas, orhto, neuro, sports, paeds, and some post grad manual therapy courses. In private practise, you are on your own, we are primary care givers, which means we treat patients without Dr's referrals, so all you have to go on is the history the patient tells you and your knowledge and experience. Again, it varies from province to province, but this is the case in British Columbia, and most other provinces. In B>C>, in the area east of Vancouver, what we call the "Lower Mainland", are currently 25 physio jobs posted with the Health Region, those are basically government jobs, ranging from hospital jobs to home care. So you can see, we need physios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are interested check the web site for "Fraser Health Region", under "careers" you'll find the postings.
Good luck!!!!!!!!
neving

[tstrelioff]

good point, I totally agree, all new grads really do need at least 2 yrs in hospital based centers to gain some general experience. It is time well spent.

[taranator]

Yup,
I agree. Lots of jobs in Vancouver right now. Both hospital and private. Even more jobs outside of Vancouver!

I highly recommend starting in a hospital for the experience (and the pay is pretty good too!) Most of your colleagues are more than willing to help out the newbies, but there is no formal 'senior' positions anymore.

[jaishingdia]

hey,

i am hoping to work in ontario within the next couple of yrs and am really wanting to start out in a hospital setting initially. do you know how difficult it is to get a entry level job within a hospital (if you're a foreign trained physio having done the exams!)?

thanks,
jess

[009115]

Can I admit my lack of knowledge about the situation in the UK? I was shocked to read the posts of you guys without jobs. Here they fight over new grads! I'd like to hire, and have tried for over a year to find a physio for
one of my clinics. I'd even sell it to the therapist if they were any good. where do I advertise in UK to get one of you to come over? UK therapists are very respected here.

[jaishingdia]

you can advertise on this site if u like but im not to sure on any other reliable ones around.
can you tell us more you what you do?
jess

[Jehaana]

Advertise in "Frontline". That is the bi-monthly magazine issued by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Every British physio (MCSP) gets it (I think!)

If you want to get somebody from the UK, they can either come on a work permit or you can apply for them to come under the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP), if you can show that you have been advertising the job in Canada with no success.

[Physiobase]

You should advertise on our dedicated jobs board on www.physiobob.comIt will take about 60 seconds. Best of luck as there are an huge amount of Aussie physios dying to land a job in Canada

[sanagupta]

Hi!
logging after too long...the forum has undergone a real change and really a good one..i want to know that if i want to emmigrate to canada what can be othere job prospects than physio assistants/residants. i m an indian trained physio with 5 year experience.
thanx
sana

[slegs9]

Hi Trish,
Thanks for the information. i am workinhg in UK and planning in near future to come and work in canada.
ES

[ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA]

hi
it's my last year in BPT and i want job in canada so pls tell me "how i apply there?"
thank you

[ryanjonturn]

Hi

I am a newly qualified Physio from the UK and am currently awaiting immigration into Canada.
Some advice for becoming a physio in canada is patience!!!

You first have to apply to the Canadian Alliance Physio regulators who assess your degree. I have done this and because no one from my University has ever applied it takes 22 weeks for them to give you the answer whether you can sit the exams in the first place!!!!! Costs $750 as well.

Then if they say yes this summer I will have to write the national exams which are done only a few times a year with the last deadline to apply end of the summer. therefore i might not even get to do the exams this year!!!!

Then it takes then a few months to give u the results once u finish them.
Believe me this is the toughest situation and most stressful, more so than my degree as it requires waiting a long time and relying on people. plus the exams combined are near $2000.

So advice for any new grad like me from the UK, think long about it!!! as i am nowhere near in march, and i have been in contact with the alliance since december!! Good luck and any questions just ask as i am going through it at the minute

[MEG1]

hi there,
i am a fresh graduate 4and half year course frm india. I am planning to apply for the credential assessment in canada.,wat took so long for you to get the assessment result.. pls guide me should i apply for canada or us?? i passed out in feb,2007 and prwsently working..
pls suggest.. i am really confused

[ryanjonturn]

Hi

Well it takes the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators 22wks to give you an answer whether your Physio degree is suitable to sit the PCE (physio competance exam). You have to provide all your degree info and all your presvious education info. If there are problems with your degree/course they may require you to take further studies.

If all is ok then you can sit the exams which take place a few times per year.

For best information go to their website www.alliancept.org

As for the US I am unsure about their rules and regulations.
Hope this helps!