Working in Switzerland after graduation

[kkatuha]

I am in the process of completing a Master's of Physical Therapy program in the USA and was wondering whether I could work in Switzerland as a physical therapist with a US diploma?
Would appreaciate any feedback on this! Thanks!

[Lina]

Hi!

I'm studing Physiotherapy in Switzerland. I don't know if its possible to work in Switetzerland with a US diploma. But i could do some research on that. Maybe you could tell me about how your education is built up. I'm interessted to do my Master's degree in the US. I would prefer to study in california. Do you know at which universities in california its possible to do a Master in Physiotherapy?

I think it should be possible to work in Switzerland as we have changed our education in Physiotherapy to a Bachalor and Master System.

Lina

[kkatuha]

Hi Lina,

If you could find out more about working in Switzerland with a US diploma, I would truly appreciate it. I am actually going to Zurich to visit a friend of mine on March 13th and will try to investigate more on this issue. But any help would be appreciated!

You said Switzerland has recently changed their degree option to Bachelor's and Master's level, that is interesting. What has it been before? And what degree plan are you currently pursuing?

As to studying in US, I could definitely research several PT schools for you in CA and get back to you on that. I am studying the Master's program in PT at the University of Oklahoma. Our university has actually transitioned the Master's level to the Doctorate level this year so after I attain my Master's, I am planning on taking a transitional Doctorate level program, which takes about a year to complete after you get your Master's. Most universities in US have transitioned to entry level DPT (doctor of physical therapy program). Since APTA has introduced VISION 2020 (American Physical Therapy Association), they have a goal of having every university in US to transition to DPT by 2020. I wonder how DPT would be accepted in Switzerland...??

Overall, I think PT programs in US are very good with an extensive curriculum. Let me know what degree you whether you are wanting to start an entry level program in US or finish master's PT degree in Switzerland and come to us for your Doctorate. I know several PTs from around the US who could give more feedback with international students.

I will let u know as soon as I find smth out.
Thank you for your post!

Kateryna

[Lina]

Hi Kateryna

Thanks for your quick answer! I would really appreciate if you could research some PT schools in CA. It's so difficult to find good information on the internet.

I'm pursuing the Bachalor's plan right now.
Before Switzerland changed to Bachalor's and Master's in Switzerland the PT education was connected to a hospital and was not at a university. After 4 years school and practice you got a PTdiploma. Actually, the curriculum no in the Bachalor's is almost the same as before. The only different is that we have some sientific education now. The Master's doesn't exist yet, but they are working on it. The Master's will be a deeper education in scientific research, I think. DPT doesn't exist in Switzerland at all. Because of that, I'm not sure what kind of work you could do then in Switzerland. It's allready now a discussion on what the different should be between a PT with a bachalor degree and one with a Master's out in worklife. As you see the situation in Switzerland isn't that clear at the Moment.

What kind of work would you like to do in switzerland? Would you like to work in a hospital? Or would you prefere to work in science? May be it could be a oportunity for you to work at one of the to PTschools in Switzerland and so beeing able to get more working contacts.

There is one school in Winterthur (close to Zurich) and one in Bern. I'm at the one in Winterthur. Here its name and homepage. (Do you speak any german?)

ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
www. zhaw.ch

As it doesn't exist any Master's in PT in Switzerland, I would like to do a Master's in US.

Do you also work at hospitals during your education in the US? Could you tell me more about your curriculum? Maybe that would help to find out if its possible to work in switzerland with a USdiploma.

I will get back to you as soon as I know more.
Lina

[Judith Mollet]

To work as a physio you have to have recognition through the swiss red cross . Your studies have to be looked at in terms of hours/modalities/scope of practice practical work etc. to see if they are equivalent. You will also be expected to speak a relevant language ie french/german/italian. The days of 30 years ago where people like me were let loose on the public with one semester night school in german are gone and there are many more home trained physios on the market. The website of the physio society here is physioswiss - Schweizer Physiotherapie Verband
good luck
judith-ancientphysioin Switzerland

[kkatuha]

Judith,
thank you for the valuable info and the website! I was wondering if you have ever heard of Polestart Pilates? I have attended a national APTA conference last weekend and it seems as if they have many opportunities to work in Europe, including Switzerland as a certified Physiotherapist with a Polestar Pilates certification. Do you know anything about it?
THank you.

[Judith Mollet]

Pilates yes, it's become popular in Switzerland and physios do courses to become pilates instructors. To work as a "normal" physio and to be able to have your work paid by the basic health insurance which everyone has to have, your exmas etc must be approved of. When you are employed the boss registers you so that your work in his/her practicewill be recognised. You have to have your physio qualifications registered and be given the OK. A physio who does Pilates could probably integrate it in the normal day to day work in a practice, or in a hospital rehab setting etc. Having Pilates plus Physio is probably very good but all physios have to go on and have continuous professional development in all sorts of directions after qualifying anyway. Pilates of course could be used by non-physios in private fitness, wellness, health clubs and gyms etc.
The Physio part depends on recognition of exams; then getting someone convinced that they need you AND they'll be able to get a work and residence permit for you AND that you can speak a relevant language. I don't think there'll be many jobs for just english, but maybe you've got another language too?
If you get approval it's easy to put an advertisement in the physiotherapie magazine here and see what comes up.
The approval stuff might take a while to organise, and afterwards each county has slightly different structures for permits. Go thro the physio society for correct information as not all qualified physios and / or students know exactly what is required. People who aren't self-employed themselves haven't gone thro the process of getting a permit for employees. Newly qualified physios do not always get the OK from the central health insurance organisation "Santé Suisse" to work in private practice.
So start finding out and good luck!

[kkatuha]

Judith,
Thank you so much for your fast reply! I definitely understand better now the process of applying for the work permit in Switzerland and will start finding out the details now. I speak russian and ukrainian (Originally from Kiev), but dont know if those languages would be very helpful in Switzerland. I have 2 more years of PT school here in US so my plan is to start learning German, at least to know the basics. I think I will go ahead and get Polestar Pilates certified in the course of the next year to give me another plus when searching for employment in Switzerland. From my understanding, a foreigner wanting to work for a Swiss company must stand out in some way to get hired on by a Swiss employer. In any way, it's worth a try. THank you so much for your insightful help!

[kkatuha]

In US, Master's in Physical Therapy is transitioning to the Doctorate level and by 2020 every university will be switched to DPT. With the DPT curriculum, one must have a Bachelor's degree in order to apply to the Program. After that, it's 3 years worth of DPT curriculum, making the entire Physical Therapy Program 7 years long. With the DPT, depending on the university, but in general you would have 9 semesters (fall, spring, summer x 3 years) worth of classes with internships starting after the first 3 semesters. Usually programs offer 4 internships, first one 4 weeks, the next three 6 to 8 weeks long. But you would have to go on the particular school website to find out more about that particular program. I am studying at the University of Oklahoma so I could tell you all about that if you are interested.