Program Helps Internationally Educated Physiotherapists Bring Valuable Skills to Our Health System
As a physiotherapist who has had the opportunity to work in my field overseas, in Australia and New Zealand, and as a volunteer in South East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific, I appreciate the benefits of allowing foreign trained PT’s to practice their craft here in Canada. The breadth of knowledge, complimentary skills and language abilities that overseas trained physiotherapists bring to the country is invaluable, especially considering the diversity of our client population here in Canada.
The Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging (OIEPB) program is designed to provide educational opportunities for physiotherapists educated outside of Canada to develop the additional knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards and succeed in the Canadian workplace.
It provides an opportunity to refresh skills, gain support from a network of peers and mentors, experience the Canadian healthcare workplace first-hand, and gain assistance in job and career planning. Internationally trained physiotherapists who have taken the OIEPB program score higher on the Physiotherapy Competency Exams conducted by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulator than those who do not enroll in the program.
I have been a clinical instructor for the OIEPB Program since 2014. I enjoy helping others achieve their professional goals and take pride in my work here in Canada. If I can provide any insight into how we might practice and help them get a leg up on succeeding in the Canadian workplace, I am happy to help. The vision of the program is to create an adult learning environment, building upon a learner’s education and clinical experience to promote, improve, and maintain the mobility and function of Canadians.
OIEPB is offered through a partnership with the University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI).
Watch the video below to hear what OIEPB alumni, and instructors like me have to say about the journey to licensing and employment and the role the Program plays. I make an appearance in the video at 2 minutes 24 seconds.
For more information on the OIEPB, please visit the UofT OIEPB program webpage.
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