7 Essential Competencies Required by Physiotherapists in Canada
What really is required of a physiotherapist practising in Canada? When looking out for an international physiotherapy job you need to be abreast of what is expected of you. What is the scope of practice and boundaries for the physiotherapist outside your country of training?
Yes, Physiotherapy is concerned with the quality of human function and movement… Prevention, intervention and rehabilitation are common keywords when it comes to what physical therapists do, but what exactly is required of physiotherapists in some countries? Who is a physiotherapist?
Let’s look at Canada, what is expected of a physiotherapist who wants to work in Canada?
1) A physiotherapist is first of all seen as an “Expert” who:
- Consults with the client to obtain information
- Carries out client’s assessment relevant to physiotherapy practice
- Analyzes the findings from assessing the client
- Establishes a physiotherapy diagnosis and prognosis
- Develops and implements an intervention strategy
- Evaluates and reviews the effectiveness of interventions employed
2) A physiotherapist is also seen as a “Communicator” who:
- Develops and maintains professional relationships through effective communication
- Conveys and shares information to aid decision making
- Effectively uses verbal, non verbal and electronic communicationcommunication
3) A physiotherapist is also expected to be a Collaborator who
- Recognizes and respects the role of other team members involved in a client’s case.
- Works with others to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts
4) A physiotherapist is a Manager who
- understands the structure and funding of the health system as relates to physiotherapy practice
- Supervises personnel involved in delivery of physiotherapy services and ensure safe and effective physiotherapy practice
5) A physiotherapist is an Advocate who promotes the health needs of individuals, the community and the profession
6) A physiotherapist is a Scholarly practitioner committed to lifelong learning, incorporating experiences, education and research to deliver physiotherapy services
7) And finally, the physiotherapist is the “Professional” who conducts himself within the ethics of the profession, respecting the client’s autonomy and contributes to the development of the physiotherapy profession.