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The Next Steps For a WCCMT Grad

We talked with Erica Roberts, a graduated from WCCMT New Westminster, who is currently studying to take her board exams about what’s next for her post-graduation.

What made you decide to go into massage therapy?

I decided to pursue massage therapy because I wanted a career that allowed me to help people, gave me the freedom to work where and when I want, and encourages people within the profession to continuously further their knowledge and skills throughout their career.

What do you like the most about doing massage?

I enjoy working one on one with people. No other health care profession allows for so much hands on time. This enables me to get to know my patients and give them the best care possible.

DSC_0129smaller2Why did you pick WCCMT?

I chose WCCMT because of their reputation as a school and the quality of their teachers.

What was your favourite part about being at the college?

The teachers are the best part about this school. They are passionate about what they teach and go above and beyond to help students succeed.

What is your post-graduation -and board exam- plan?

My classmates and I have mapped out a study plan for the 8 weeks leading up to our board exam. After, I plan to work and travel.

What kind of employment options are you looking at?

I want to work in a clinic where therapists support one another to accomplish the best patient care.

Is there a type of massage/treatment method that you would focus on?

Ideally, I would like to work with athletes. Either in a clinic or with a sports team.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of joining the program?

Do your research! Talk to students who have completed the program as well as students who are currently enrolled. My advice would be to form a study group with classmates, ask your teachers lots of questions and have fun. Overall, be ready for an intense and challenging 20 months

Thanks to Erica for sharing her experiences with us! Want to share your story? Contact [email protected] to be featured in our blog. As always, WCCMT would love to see you on LinkedIn, our New Westminster Facebook Page or our WCCMT/CCMH Facebook Page so you can stay connected with our community.

February CEU Workshop Announcement

Here at WCCMT we know the importance of continuing education and want to help ensure our graduates continue to be the most qualified RMT’s in practice today. We also know that CEU’s can be expensive. That is why we are now offering free or low-cost CEU workshops, only available to our graduates, at our New Westminster campus. The first workshop, offered this past October was a huge success and filled-up in less than a week. Don’t miss out on your next opportunity!

Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017
Time: 9 AM to 5 PM
Cost: Complimentary
Location:  WCCMT, New Westminster Campus, PRACTICAL D
SIGN IN STARTS AT 8:30 am. 
WORKSHOP: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization by Professional Health Systems
Instructor: Dr. Nikita Vizniak (author of the Muscle Manual and www.prohealthsys.com)

Brief Description:

Learn about Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and how it can benefit your practice, save your hands, improve outcomes and prolong your career. Discussion topic includes definition, basic application, soft tissue healing principles, review of the literature and application in practice. We let you try a variety of instruments and tools to make your treatments easier and more effective – then you can choose the best option and make an informed decision. See how IASTM is an extension of your body that will give you renewed confidence in skills to use in practice; read more here – https://prohealthsys.com/continuing-education/instrument-assisted-soft-tissue-mobilization-iastm/

Course Content:

  • Hands on anatomy, palpation, kinesiology and ROM review (bone, ligament, joint, muscle, nerve, vessel, fascia)
  • Evidence based clinical integration of assessment with pathology & evidence informed management options
  • Efficient biomechanics – work smarter instead of harder to prevent injury and get better results
  • Sample over 20 different tools including Graston, Hawkgrips, Adhesion Tools, FAT and many others (over $30,000 worth) – and please bring your own tool for discussion
  • IASTM use of instruments & critical thinking to improve results & decrease clinician fatigue by specific tissue & body region – indications, contra indications, basic & advanced application of stainless steel and plastic instruments, cups and home care exercises

Come to the course wearing comfortable clothing. And bring sheets and massage oils of your choice

Be prepared to have manual techniques applied to most regions of the body.

You’ll receive:

  • Instruction of precise, specific and easy to understand and perform techniques to incorporate into your practice immediately
  • 7 CE credits

Seats are limited, please RSVP by sending an email to [email protected] no later than Friday January 20, 2017.

Tips For Successful Self-Employment and the Challenges of Moving a Practice

We spoke with Maegan Chase, who graduated from the New Westminster campus in 2005. She decided to be self-employed right out of college and has recently moved her practice from Vancouver to Victoria.

maegan-1883What made you want to become an RMT?

It happened kind of accidentally. I knew that I wanted to work with people, but I was thinking of nursing or psychiatry. When I graduated high school, I volunteered at a wellness clinic in England and one of my duties there was to do a type of massage that they taught me and I really connected with it. The massage therapist there told me I should do my RMT training in the states. My plan was to get some basic ground work then go off and do other things. But when I got back and I started researching it, I thought ‘oh wow, this is totally different’. When I got into the program, I was reminded of how much I liked working with the human body and how I used to be very fascinated with it as a child. I didn’t really know what I was getting into, besides working with people and wanting to help.

What was your favorite part of being at the College?

The instructors were really great at the time; all very well-educated. The camaraderie and the community that I created have definitely been a resource and close friends of mine since I graduated.

What is the most rewarding part of being an RMT?

Well, there’s more than one aspect. First off would be the one-on-one time I get to spend with people and the therapeutic relationships I get to build with them. Secondly, being engaged and challenged, either by a case being presented to me or modalities I have to dust off and use. I also find it rewarding to figuring out what is going to work for people and what will help them the most.

What made you want to be self-employed?

I never really contemplated not being self-employed. At the time, it wasn’t really something that was done a lot, by the teachers or students I really identified with. And the benefits outweighed being employed [by someone].

How would you describe your practice?

I focus my practice on modalities such as facial, visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy and some osteopathic techniques. I treat a wide variety of clientele, using these modalities. I generally work within multi-disciplinary practices, so I am used to working with other professionals. I just moved to Vancouver Island so I’m still building my clientele and referral base up, but I spent the last 10 years working this way in Vancouver.

Has moving greatly affected your practice?

It has definitely affected my practice, mainly in that I am starting again. I did not move for a job but I took a locum [on the Island] and I’ve since stayed on at that clinic. It’s really interesting to have to rebuild after being quite established in Vancouver, but I’m enjoying the change. The community here is different, and one of the biggest differences being that clinic rents are a lot higher than I was expecting.

What is your advice to someone who would like to be self-employed?

I rent space out of a clinic, so I think it would be different if you were opening up your own practice but I would say that if you’re just starting out, find somewhere that there is a well-established name and presence in the community because it’s a lot easier to build your practice from that then from scratch. Take a business course. When I was in school we didn’t get that much of business training. A lot of it you can learn on the go but it’s good to have the basic knowledge. Or work with a business coach to get you thinking about a long term plan and bigger picture. When you first get out of school, you’re more concerned about the money you owe to student loans, earning money as well as getting established, It’s okay to take the time to figure out where you want to go with your business and what kind of practice you want to establish.

Thanks to Maegan for sharing her experiences with us! Want to share your story? Contact [email protected] to be featured in our blog. As always, WCCMT would love to see you on LinkedIn, our New Westminster Facebook Page or our WCCMT/CCMH Facebook Page so you can stay connected with our community.