New Zealand Registration in 8 weeks

[gcoe]

Hi PN Cool

Yes things are pretty tough here for jobs. With 10 ears experience behind you would be in a better position than if you were a new grad. However there are few jobs available in either the public or private sectors. I would suggest you try to tee up a job before coming here. Based on that you may want to weigh up whether or not it is worth your while currently applying for registration in NZ.

[Fyzzio]

Hi pncool,
you might have seen me writing about my previous colleague who has got an Indian degree and NZ registration. So let me just tell you what I heard from her:
Research: the research projects as done under the Indian degree are in no way comparative to the NZ ones, meaning that their standard is below the NZ one. Therefore they are generally not accepted. You need to send in your project, as every application is assessed per se and the project as you have done it, might actually be at the required standard. Who knows? However, as your degree has been completed a while ago, send in all the extra evidence of research or research related projects you have undertaken in the last 8 - 9 years as well. This might proove your point of meeting their criteria.

USA: In the states, our job is done by two different professions - the Physical Therapists and the Respiratory Technicians. I know from someone else, that she didn't get registration as her education and work experience did not meet the competencies for the Cardio-respiratory area and she had to complete some extra study. Therefore, I believe that generally work in the US is accepted for the Musculoskeletal and Neuro competencies.

Regards,
Andrea

[pncool]

Hi Andrea,

Thanks for the input. I agree that in the US most physios work in the Musculoskeletal and Neurological PT areas and not so much in Cardio-respiratory.. But as a Physio in India we do work in that area as well both in Acute as well Cardio-resp rehabilitation. I have 5 yrs of work-exp in India post graduation, so I assume that can be added to show competency in the Cardio-respiratory.

I read in the FAQ's that a critical review of journal articles can also be added to show inclination towards evidence based research. Is that true? Just a thought, how many physios are really doing hard-core research while working in the clinical area? I am bit unclear on what exactly the NZ board is looking for in the "Research area" ?

pncool.

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
in regards to cardio: my friend told me that indeed you do work in the cardiopulmonary area in India, but that treatments are following pre-prescribed protocols and are not individually tailored. In ICU, it was the doctors making the decisions on Physio treatment, rather than the Physios basing their input on clinical analysis. But that might have changed or be different for your work environment.

in regards to your research question: I'm not 100% sure, but if it is the same for all the competencies then you have to submit evidence for 2 things:
1) that you had sufficient undergraduate training in the area
2) that you continue to meet the competency through work or professional development

So, for the second point it does not need to be actual work in the research sector, but could be doing a research project, an evidence-based presentation, a critical literature review, an audit, etc.. Just have a look what the points in this competency are and what you have done to meet them.

At least this is my understanding. If you are not sure, you might like to call the Board and ask them directly. My friend called them on numerous occasions and said that they were incredibly helpful over the phone and gave good advise.

Regards,
Fyzzio

[pncool]

Hi Andrea,

Thanks again! Your threads have helped me to put the whole pic in the perspective. I did call up NZ board to find out whether I will be eligible to apply for NZ registration if I have a UK registration but they said that I should have work exp in the UK too.. I am looking to do a course in NZ and then apply for registration. Can you suggest to me some course in AUT which might help? I saw that they have a PG dip in Rehab for 60 points, is it a good one? Any idea what will be the duration of the course?

The board also mentioned that since I have graduated 10yrs back I can show competencies in different areas thro' my work exp, CME courses and cross reference them with my co-workers or supervisors. I don't have to submit my curriculum.

Pncool.

[Fyzzio]

Hi pncool,
are you talking courses or papers?

If you go through AUT, you are basically enrolling for a university paper.
First of all you need to obtain postgraduate registration:
The Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand > Postgraduate Registration for Overseas Qualified Physiotherapists
The Pg Dip HSc Rehab is 120 points: you need to do three of the 20 pts. papers of the Pg Cert in HSc Rehab programme and one other 60 pts. paper. See here:
Rehabilitation - AUT University

I believe, if studying full time, you might be able to do 4 papers in a year. But the cost is astrological.
Fees for international students - AUT University
http://www.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/p...ional-Fees.pdf
You also need to do an IELTS and have you checked the visa/ permit situation?

Or do you just want to do a course?
Then check out the NZSP site. I have no idea whether you need registration or anything else for that.
National Calendar : NZ Society of Physiotherapists

Hope this helps,
Fyzzio

[pncool]

Hi Fyzzio,

Thanks for the links.. Here is what the NZ physio registration website says for eligibility criteria for Physios qualified in India.

1. Evidence of successful completion of a formal course of university level physiotherapy study in addition to their physiotherapy qualification(s) gained in India. This formal study must be completed during the three years immediately prior to submitting an application for registration in New Zealand. The formal study could include Certificates of Proficiency, a Graduate Certificate, a Graduate Diploma, a Post Graduate Diploma or a Masters. This formal course of study must be completed in New Zealand, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland),

So I am looking to do a short-term course. I believe the link for the courses which you had sent are weekend courses? My questions on the above- 1) Are certificate of proficiency same as a CME course? 2) Where can I do a graduate certificate/ graduate diploma course? 3) The post graduate diploma or a Masters is a UNI course right?

Thanks again for your inputs.

pncool.