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Jump Start -- by Leanne Taylor
Do you seem to be the one who's always tending to your friends injuries? Are you the person wrapping sprained ankles while out hiking, taking care of the football team when they take the wrong end of a rough and tumble game, or giving advice when it comes to others health and wellness? If your answer is "absolutely," then you may want to consider a career in the rehabilitation field.
These careers include -- but are not limited to -- rehabilitation practitioners, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, recreation therapists and kinesiologists. If these careers sound like they might be for you, check out some education/training opportunities, visit some businesses/associations operating in the field, scroll through some industry-specific job boards or volunteer opportunities, and learn some insider tips from a local physiotherapist.
Education/training
Physiotherapy
The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers a two-year masters of science doctoral degree program in physical therapy. The entrance requirement is completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and pre-requisite courses. Currently in Canada, physio is going to a masters level program, so you will have to have an undergrad degree before you can apply.
Rehabilitation practitioner
Grande Prairie Regional College offers a two-year community rehabilitation diploma program, and a one-year certificate and two-year diploma program in human services.
Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton offers a two-year rehabilitation practitioner diploma program via on campus study.
Lakeland College in Lloydminster offers a two-year rehabilitation services diploma program.
Lethbridge Community College offers a two-year rehabilitation services diploma program.
Mount Royal College offers a two-year disability studies diploma.
Portage College in Lac La Biche offers a one-year certificate and two-year diploma program in rehabilitation services.
Red Deer College offers a two-year rehabilitation services diploma program.
Graduates of two-year diploma programs in rehabilitation services may qualify for admission to the bachelor of community rehabilitation and disability studies program at the University of Calgary.
Kinesiologist
University of Calgary offers a four-year bachelor degree program.
University of Alberta offers a four-year bachelor degree program.
University of Lethbridge offers four-year and five-year co-operative education bachelor degree programs in exercise science and kinesiology.
Occupational therapist
University of Alberta offers a four-year program leading to a bachelor of science in occupational therapy (B.Sc.O.T.) degree.
Athletic therapist
University of Alberta offers a four-year bachelor of physical education (B.P.E.) with a specialization in athletic therapy in collaboration with Mount Royal College in Calgary.
University of Calgary offers a four-year bachelor of kinesiology program with a major in athletic therapy, also in collaboration with Mount Royal College.
Recreation therapist
University of Alberta offers a four-year bachelor degree in recreation and leisure studies.
Therapist assistant
Grant MacEwen College offers a 16-month practical therapy assistant program.
Medicine Hat College offers a one-and-a-half year therapy assistant program.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology offers a 16-month certificate in rehabilitation therapy.
Music therapy
Four music therapy programs are available in Canada according to the Canadian Association for Music Therapy.
Tips and advice from a local physiotherapist
I was fortunate enough to speak with Nicole Skolaude, a physiotherapist who works at the Canadian Back Institute in Calgary. She gave some good insight into the industry, so let's jump ahead and find out what she had to say:
Leanne: What is the best way to find out more about a physiotherapy program?
Nicole: The best way would be to call up the universities that have a physiotherapy department. Also, the Internet has loads of info.
Leanne: Are there any local, provincial or national organizations, licensing or registration boards?
Nicole: There is the Canadian Physiotherapy Association which has a provincial division in every province. The CPA is not a mandatory membership but if you are in a private practice you need to become a member to obtain your malpractice insurance. The CPA is more responsible for the promotion of the physiotherapy profession to the public, research topics, national conferences, etc.
Each province has a regulatory college with which each physio must be licensed through before practicing. The college has a mandate to protect the public; therefore they regulate credentials, investigate complaints, and discipline physios. Membership is approximately $200-$300/year, depending on the province.
There is also a national exam each physio must take to practice. This exam is not required in every province yet. It costs $1,600 and is two parts, a 400-question multiple choice section and a four-hour practical exam with patient models. Most graduates do the exam shortly after graduating.
Leanne: In your opinion, what was the hardest part of the program?
Nicole: The hardest part of the physio program is getting in! Once you are in, they will try to keep you there. Besides that, the hardest part was the volume of material you needed to know in a very short time.
Leanne: What's the best way to study for an exam?
Nicole: Hmm... this can vary with each individual and course. One of the best ways is to keep up with the course material so you are never too far behind. Reviewing notes daily is also essential.
Leanne: Is there a specific type of résumé that would make someone more employable than others?
Nicole: Once you are a physiotherapist you can specialize in a certain area, eg. head injuries, pediatrics, strokes, etc., so a résumé can be very job-dependent. Extra courses in specialty areas are often required to work in certain environments such as a sports team or a private practice.
Leanne: Thanks Nicole. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nicole: While the job market for physio is generally good, it is not without its pros and cons. The best way for someone to find out more about physiotherapy is to research via schools, the Internet, and then go job shadow a physio or two. It is a great job, but also a long haul to finish.
Businesses/associations
Job boards
Volunteer opportunities
According to the professionals interviewed in this issue of nextSteps, volunteering at almost any type of "helping" facility will not only look good on a résumé but allow those interested in the rehabilitation/therapy field an inside look at the actual work involved. Visit Volunteer Calgary to check out some opportunities.
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