If you have been contemplating a future of being a physiotherapist, you might ask yourself “where do I start?” After all, every new job starts with a step in the right direction. Whether you want to work for a practice, like the Calgary physiotherapy clinic, or want to work with teams in the NBA, you will need to go through the proper training to reach your goals.
What does a Physiotherapist do?
To begin with, let’s go over what a physiotherapist can do for athletes. Therapists will work with individuals or teams in the prevention and the treatment of sports-related injuries. They are normally on-site with the players, even travelling with the team, in order to be as available as possible.
Job Shadowing
Before jumping into a college program, you should first job shadow a physiotherapist to confirm that it is the type of work that you would prefer to be doing. It is unlikely you will be able to job shadow a sports therapist that works with professional athletes, but you can always ask.
Education
In order to become a physiotherapist for the NBA, you first need to become a physiotherapist. At minimum, you will need to have a Bachelor’s degree. While your major does not need to specifically say “physiotherapy,” you will need to take all of the required classes, which include physiology, biology, psychology, and other medical science courses. Additionally, exercise science and biomechanics should also be studied. While a Bachelor’s degree is the minimum, some physiotherapists go all the way to a Master’s degree. You should go through a program that helps you pass your certification exams.
Licensing
Once you have completed your degree, you will need to obtain a license. Nearly all provinces or states require that physiotherapists have a license. The requirements can vary from place to place, but generally, you will need to take Board of Certification exams to get your license. You will need to see what the specific licensing requirements are for your location. With an aim for the NBA, this can be harder as you might need to relocate, so it is best to do the Board of Certification exams to cover your bases.
Board Certified
Being issued a license to practice physiotherapy is only one part of the equation. You might also need to become Board Certified. This certification covers sports therapists as well as athletic trainers. Additional certifications might also be required, such as CPR and emergency care.
Experience
Once you have all of the education and certifications in place, or even before so, gaining experience is the next step. To get in with professional athletes, you need to be involved in sports. You can either play them or watch them, but joining the sports community will help you get your foot in the door. Volunteering with local teams to help them will also build up your reputation. The more that you are out with professional athletes, the easier it will be in the end to find a job. Working with sports medicine clinics can help get your name out there and expose you to the people who might be able to help you later. The more you build your resume, the more likely it is to find a job.
Networking
In order to get your foot in the door with the NBA, you need to utilize your networking skills. Put your name out there with the other physiotherapists throughout the NBA for guidance and references. Building your own community of support can help open doors for you, allowing you to be the physiotherapist you always dreamed about.
