Physical Therapist Career Profile
What is a Physical Therapist (PT)?
A Physical Therapist or physiotherapist is a health-care professional that evaluates and treats body disorders. Types of body disorders may involve the neurological (brain), musculoskeletal (bones and muscles), cardiopulmonary (heart and lungs) and integumentary (skin) systems. Physical Therapists help people of all ages and stages of life and treat patients primarily through exercising, stretches, using equipment, and other hands-on techniques. For example, a patient may seek advice from a Physical Therapist to help live a healthier and more active lifestyle or a patient may be referred for treatment due to an injury. Treatment plans are typically made for patients in order to address any issues that are identified during physical examinations. Physical Therapists have a lot of direct patient interaction, are typically personable and work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, sports facilities, schools and clinics.
What is it like working as a Physical Therapist at the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)?
Physical Therapists work in hospital and clinical settings throughout the province with the SHA as part of a multidisciplinary health-care team in order to provide the best patient care. Physical Therapists work in shifts in order to provide health-care coverage based on the needs of the facility or clinic and this may include days and weekends. Opportunities to grow as a Physical Therapist include taking advanced courses to work in specialized areas and pursuing management and leadership positions. Recruitment incentives of up to $20,000 ($15,000 for Saskatoon and Regina) and relocation of up to $3,000 is also available!
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What can I earn as a Physical Therapist?
The current pay per hour is:
- Physical Therapist - $40.18 - $49.25
- Senior Physical Therapist - $43.40 - $53.19
In addition to the above pay bands, the SHA provides a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Extended Health and Dental benefits
- Defined-Benefit Pension Plan
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Annual Vacation
Physical Therapists working with the SHA are unionized employees and are members of the following union:
How do I become a Physical Therapist?
A degree/masters degree is required to work as a Physical Therapist in Saskatchewan. The Masters program offered by the University of Saskatchewan is the only local option however there are many programs throughout Canada:
After completing your program, you will need to pass an exam from the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) in order to obtain a license to practice from the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists.
Physical Therapists (PTs) require sufficient practice hours (1200 hours in the last five-year period) to maintain a practicing license. Those individuals who have been previously licensed and do not meet the requirement of 1200 practice hours are required to complete a re-instatement application. For the purposes of completing the re-instatement application process, the applicant will be provided a practicing license with conditions that the membership and license are only used for the purpose of the re-instatement program. The re-instatement program applicant will require supervised practice from a practicing physical therapist as a component of the program for the required hours deemed necessary for maintenance of hours in the current year and those required for the next license year. To receive supervised practice support for re-instatement within the SHA, the physical therapist needs to either be working for the SHA or apply and be selected for an SHA position. The physical therapist then works as an SHA employee under a supervision plan approved by the Registration Committee of the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapy. If the physical therapist has no practice hours completed in the preceding 5-year period, then the Registration Committee can determine what additional conditions may be required to re-enter practice.
