A significant number of Physiotherapist vacancies exist in Canada, and a considerable number of newcomers wish to immigrate to Canada. This article helps you discover ways to immigrate to Canada as a Physiotherapist. These people will be able to access several opportunities between 2022 and 2031, including new job positions related to expansion and replacement demand. Such types of job vacancies will account for a total of 14,300 per the Job Bank of Canada. The data also claims that labor shortages will continue to exist between 2022 and 2031.

Although Canada has showcased higher immigration levels over the past few years, yet it would be challenging for the country to fulfill vacant job positions for Physiotherapists. As a result, Canada will continue to lean on foreign workers, offering them with an excellent opportunity to flourish as a Physiotherapist and apply for PR.

IRCC also announced in the initial part of 2024 that Canada’s Express Entry system will focus on 82 occupations in the following sectors, including Physiotherapists:

• Healthcare
• Technology
• Trades
• Transport and
• Agri-food and agricultural occupations

The significance of a Physiotherapist job in Canada

Physiotherapists in Canada will typically deal with patients and provide them with treatments. These would be patients having challenges related to disability, illness, injury, and aging. They will have to deal with patients of all ages, including stroke patients, those with sports injuries, elderly people, and children.
These professionals help patients improve their movement and function. Additionally, they assist individuals in promoting patients’ health and welfare. Moreover, they help in the rehabilitation, development, and restoration of body systems, such as neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems.

Overall, they will have to perform a wide variety of roles and responsibilities:

• Assess patients to understand whether they need Physiotherapy or not. 
• They will need to examine patients based on their professional guidelines and standards.
• Treat patients suffering from movement disorders that happened due to some injury or have been prevalent since birth.
• Consistently assess the patient’s progress by seeking signs of reduced stiffness, discomfort, and pain. 
• Guide patients to visit specific specialists associated with acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and other specialized treatments. 
• Suggest patients with new tools and equipment as well as regular workouts. 
• Maintain a record of patients’ care services.
• Consistently monitor the effects of therapy and treatment in accordance with the progress of the patient.

Discover ways to immigrate to Canada as a Physiotherapist

The Canadian government regulates the profession of a Physiotherapist and hence, it is a controlled profession. An individual must fulfill legal requirements if they would like to practice as a Physiotherapist in Canada. These requirements will be related to education and practical work elements. Specific provinces have their separate eligibility criteria, so one must fulfill the specific requirements of the province they desire to settle in.

Here are the various ways to immigrate to Canada as a Physiotherapist:

Fulfill the educational requirements of a Physiotherapist

The candidate must first fulfill the steps toward a master’s degree in physiotherapy at an accredited college or university. A majority of programs include clinical work, labs, and lectures to offer you a comprehensive education in this field. For instance, the Physiotherapy program might demand the completion of 1,000 clinical hours.

Clear the Physiotherapy competency exam

Once you complete the physiotherapy program, you must register as a physiotherapist in the province in which you seek to practice. A majority of provinces demand you clear the national Physiotherapy Competency Exam once you finish the Physiotherapy program. However, this should be done before beginning your practice as a physiotherapist.
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapists Regulators conducts examinations for candidates. The exam’s objective is to ensure that candidates are well aware of what is compulsory for treating patients safely and with utmost care. Moreover, this test ensures that the candidates are competent enough in terms of their knowledge, skills, and proficiency. It covers cardiopulmonary-vascular, neurological, and multisystem areas, etc.
Further, the test comprises a written section and a clinical component to evaluate a candidate’s professional attitude and communication abilities. If a candidate fails this exam, they still have a chance to reapply and give it again.

Focus on attaining a Physiotherapist license

Each provincial or territorial regulator in Canada will demand the candidate’s to fulfill certain additional requirements before beginning their practice. Therefore, as a candidate you must connect with the provincial regulator to understand if you have to meet any additional requirements.