Top 5 Things I Learned as an Internationally Trained PT in Ontario

By: Abbi, College Practice Advisor

I was born in Nigeria, and I was nine years old when my family decided to move to Jamaica where I completed my physiotherapy education at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. I started the credentialling process with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) when my family moved to Canada in 2010. My experiences at this point were gained in a hospital setting and rehabilitation facility.

Here are the top five things I learned as an internationally trained physiotherapist when I moved to Ontario, started working in health care and eventually started practicing as a PT.

1. The Role of Physiotherapist Assistants

I was given the opportunity to work as a physiotherapist assistant (PTA) while waiting to take the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE). This job brought me to rural southwestern Ontario, working in a Long-Term Care (LTC) facility. Landing this job was quite the achievement for me as most of the jobs I had applied for wanted me to have Canadian experience, which I didn’t have. This was my first exposure to the Long-Term Care and Retirement Home setting in Ontario.

Be sure to read the Working with Physiotherapist Assistants Standard to learn more about the requirements, especially if you are not familiar with the role of PTAs.

2. The Scope of Physiotherapy in LTC

Working in this environment was wildly different from what I was used to. The assistant position itself was new to me, as the use of PTAs was not common in the Jamaican PT Practice landscape.

I admit I went into my role not fully understanding the limitations and nuances that came with working in LTC. Treating patients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s seeking physiotherapy was also very new to me. I then realized I had so much to learn about the Canadian health care system.

3. The Availability of Private Practice and Different Funding Streams

My next role led me to my first exposure to a private practice setting. In Jamaica, PTs could offer private in-home services, but a referral from a medical doctor was needed in order to provide care. There were very few established private clinics, and it was a learning experience to see the availability of private clinics in Ontario.

In private practice, I was also able to learn about the different funding streams, and not to mention, the amount of paperwork associated with some of those streams.

The heavy use of extended health benefits for allied health care services such as physiotherapy and massage therapy was not something I had experience with practicing in Jamaica. Physiotherapy in Jamaica is publicly funded and there are outpatient departments attached to the hospital that provided care to the public.

4. The Liability Insurance Requirement

Liability insurance was also a novelty for me as we were not required to have insurance to practice in Jamaica. Liability insurance is a requirement to practice in Ontario, and your policy must meet certain criteria.

If you have questions about the requirements, you can learn more on the Liability Insurance page. If you are thinking about practicing in Ontario, I recommend reviewing this page so you can understand the requirements well before you start practicing.

5. The Role of the College

Frequent interactions with a regulatory body were a new experience for me. In Jamaica, in order to practice, you had to register with The Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. You also had to keep a log to demonstrate your continuing professional development upon renewal. They did not take an active role in protecting the public in the same way that the College is mandated to.

The College’s more hands-on approach is certainly welcomed. The Council in Jamaica also did not offer the numerous resources listed on the CPO’s website for PTs to ensure they were meeting the practice guidelines along with activities such as PISA (Professional Issues Self-Assessment), Jurisprudence and practice assessments.

Acclimating to the Canadian healthcare system was challenging at times, and I am fortunate to have worked in a variety of healthcare settings along with knowledgeable supervisors, mentors and colleagues who were able to guide me through my journey.

When I left Jamaica in 2010, I could not have guessed that my journey would carry me to working with the College of Physiotherapists.

If you have questions, please feel free to call the Practice Advice line at 1-800-583-5885 (extension 241) or email advice@collegept.org. Myself or my fellow advisors would be happy to speak with you, answer your questions and share helpful resources.

Resources:

Applicants Educated Outside of Canada

University and Bridging Programs