Being a Supervisor: A Way to Grow and Give Back

Supervision plays an essential role in a new physiotherapist’s career, and there are also benefits for experienced PTs and organizations who take on students and physiotherapy residents.

Clinical placements help physiotherapy students build strong foundations for future careers and choose an area of practice.

A 2021 study of Canadian physiotherapy graduates found while most started their education with a desire to work in a specific area of practice – largely general musculoskeletal physiotherapy or sports physiotherapy – 46 per cent changed their mind because of experiences during clinical placement and exposure to new clinical areas.

“Clinical placements were extremely helpful in exposing me to the different areas of practice and being able to work in all of them,” a 2017 graduate said. “I was able to determine the areas that I liked and those that I did not, which helped guide me into the position I am working today.”

In some cases, clinical placements turn into permanent positions. In fact, 31 per cent of grads secured their first job at an organization where they completed a clinical placement, the researchers found, while 90 per cent said their experiences on placement were influential on their employment decisions.

After graduating and passing the written exam, new PTs can choose to apply for a Provisional Practice certificate to be able to practice as a physiotherapy resident under the supervision of an experienced physiotherapist. Supervised practice provides an additional opportunity for new physiotherapists to expand their knowledge and skills with guidance from a mentor.

Shaping the Next Generation

For physiotherapists, becoming a supervisor can be a way to give back and help shape the next generation of the profession.

That’s the main driver for Lakshmi, a PT with more than a decade of experience supervising students.

“The biggest motivator for me personally is the satisfaction of seeing my students – or newer staff when you mentor them – to see them grow,” she said, adding one of her early students is now in an important managerial role at a hospital. “That gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

As a self-regulated profession, the College and registered physiotherapists share a responsibility to serve the public through the delivery of high-quality care. One key way physiotherapists can continue to instill trust in the profession is by taking steps to support the next generation of PTs through clinical placement, mentorship and supervision.

This commitment is so important, it’s included in the new Code of Ethical Conduct, which recognizes that physiotherapists have an ethical responsibility to “contribute to the development of the profession through support of research, mentoring, and student supervision.”

For supervisors, working with students and physiotherapy residents can also be an opportunity for professional development, a chance to develop valuable leadership skills, and a way to stay current with the latest techniques and research.

“Every student has something to teach you,” said Emily, who supervises students in a hospital setting. “There were times when they would say something they had learned in school that maybe I hadn’t learned or hadn’t considered… They’re so fresh in some ways that it’s really nice to get that sort of breath of fresh air and new knowledge.”

Increasing Need for Supervisors

Demand for physiotherapy is growing, particularly as Canada’s population ages.

Despite the fact there are 40 per cent more physiotherapists across the country than there were a decade ago, Canada still falls behind similar countries when it comes to the number of PTs per capita, according to a 2023 study prepared by Deloitte for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Projections suggest there could be a shortage of physiotherapists in the next 10 years unless the profession continues to grow.

In response, schools are moving to graduate more physiotherapists. The University of Toronto is adding 40 new spaces to its Masters of Science in Physical Therapy Program this fall. Meanwhile Western University is growing its program by 33 spots.

We know that burnout and staff shortages are among the most pressing issues facing the profession today.

Addressing Canada’s health and human resources crisis will require more physiotherapists, but training more students requires more supervisors. Experienced physiotherapists can play an important role in helping to address burnout and staff shortages by taking on these supervisory roles.

In a competitive recruitment market, there are also advantages for supervisors and organizations who get involved. According to the cross-country survey of recent grads, the most influential factor in employment decisions – after practice setting and area of practice – was mentorship. Respondents ranked the ability to be mentored by experienced physiotherapists ahead of income stability, pay, and sign-on bonuses, underlining the importance new PTs place on mentorship.

The study’s authors concluded employers who want to hire physiotherapy graduates should consider offering clinical placements to increase recruitment, and developing mentorship programs that help build novice physiotherapists’ competence and confidence.

How to Become a Supervisor

Physiotherapists who are interested in supervising students should reach out to academic programs directly:

• MacMaster University
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• Western University
• Queen’s University

The College does not need to approve student supervisors.

Those interested in supervising a physiotherapy resident will need to be approved by the College. Please start by completing the module Supervising a Physiotherapy Resident: Everything You Need to Know as Their Supervisor.

If you have questions about becoming a supervisor, the practice advisors will be happy to hear from you. Contact them at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241 or advice@collegept.org.

Please also be sure to review the Supervision Standard for more essential information.