What do “board exam results” mean and why they matter?

What do “board exam results” mean and why they matter?

If you have been exploring Registered Massage Therapy as a potential career, you have perhaps heard the expression of ‘board exams’ being mentioned by RMT’s or students in an RMT program.  So if you are wondering what, exactly, board exams are, we would like to take the opportunity to explain what they are, why they are important and who needs to write them.

Registered Massage Therapists are Health Care professionals that have completed an accredited program of study and have successfully completed a series of examinations with the regulatory body of massage therapy, the CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists of BC).  The CMTBC is responsible for public safety and regulates the profession of massage therapy in BC.  They are delegated as the governing body for the profession by the provincial government and are responsible for determining that everyone who is a member of the profession is duly qualified and can competently deliver safe, ethical, and effective treatment for members of the public. 

The collective of exams that are given to eligible candidates by the CMTBC are formally known as Registration Examinations and are what are colloquially referred to as ‘board exams’ within the industry.  The process by which a graduate from an RMT program becomes a Registered Massage Therapist is by successfully completing these exams and thereby becoming a registrant with the CMTBC and given the designation of an RMT.  CMTBC Registration exam sittings are held 2 times per year, once in the early Spring, and once in the Fall.

The 3 components of the exams that a candidate must undertake include the following:

  1. A written exam that tests their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology and the way in which that theoretical knowledge is applied to assessment, treatment and remedial exercise.
  2. A written exam that tests their knowledge of the Laws and Ethics of the profession.
  3. A Performance Based assessment that requires the candidates to put the cumulative total of the skills they have acquired throughout their program to demonstrate their competence in performing those skills on common conditions RMT’s would see in their practice. To successfully complete the registration exams, candidates are required to achieve a passing score of 70% or higher in all 3 components of the exam process.  If a candidate is unsuccessful in 1 component of the process, they would be required to retake that particular exam at a future sitting.

Once an individual has successfully completed their exams, they are given a registration number, and are allowed to use the designation of being a registered health care provider, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.  RMT’s can work with patients that have been injured in motor vehicle accidents and workplace accidents and can bill third-party insurance providers such as ICBC and WorkSafe BC on behalf of their patients.  Treatments provided by RMT’s are also covered under most third-party extended health insurance providers, such as Blue Cross, SunLife, Manulife and others.

WCCMT is committed to providing an education in the field of massage therapy that will not only prepare students to become registered massage therapists in BC, but to become successful RMT’s with a rewarding career in their chosen field of health care.  To help facilitate this process, WCCMT has incorporated a comprehensive review of the content of the program in the final term of the program, as well as conducts voluntary review sessions for graduates to further assist them in their exam preparation. 

We are proud of our graduates!

Click here to see the most recent scores achieved by our recent graduates in the CMTBC board exams: https://collegeofmassage.com/registration-examination-pass-rates/

How this Vancouverite successfully launched a career in wellness

In the wake of the pandemic, life seemingly changed overnight — work-life proving to be no exception. According to a recent survey, the pandemic has caused roughly 24% of Canadians to reconsider their job or career path.

In their renewed search to find vocations that are in demand, many British Columbians have been broadening their options and looking to industries and professions that are thriving. As many consider a career change, the field of registered massage therapy is being recognized for its flexibility and entrepreneurial flair.

For local registered massage therapist (RMT), educator, business owner, and public speaker, Taylor Oomen-Aller, jumpstarting her wellness career was a matter of combining the things she cares about. “I used to struggle with keeping my different passions separate,” she tells us.

Oomen-Aller describes the process of combining her various interests into one career as a lightbulb moment — “it was a natural transition.” Now, on any given day, you can find her juggling her clients in the Lower Mainland, snuggling her rescue dog, volunteering at a local non-profit, and enjoying the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with her little family.

She credits a large part of her success in achieving her “big heart dreams” towards the years of learning and adventure that transpired during her time at West Coast College of Massage Therapy. “The days were long and the years were short; it was truly a pivotal experience for me,” says Oomen-Aller.

In addition to meeting some of her best friends there, she was able to grasp the important technical and academic skills she’d need to pursue a rewarding career. “I’m so grateful for that time in my life,” she emphasizes. “It taught me about patience, hard work, and that caring about what you do and who you serve should be your guidepost.”

Registered massage therapy is perfect for those wanting a hands-on profession — especially for Vancouverites with backgrounds in human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Since it’s a career that allows you to positively impact the health and wellbeing of others, many who have a genuine desire to give back to their community have found themselves gravitating towards massage therapy.

With campuses in New Westminster and Victoria, the school also offers students the flexibility to choose their preferred campus. For those with an interest in healthcare, Oomen-Aller “highly encourages” considering registered massage therapy — a licensed profession in the healthcare industry. “It’s been a decision that has changed the trajectory of my life and allowed for exploration, growth, and room for more.”

As it turns out, no single career as an RMT is quite like another since the profession is so flexible and varied. A far cry from the monotony of working a desk job, RMTs have the ability to work abroad, travel with their clients, own their own businesses, structure their work schedules around their personal lives, and work in many different environments, including medical clinics, spas, and resorts.

In Oomen-Aller‘s own experience, seeing the “varied trajectories” her fellow classmates were taking inspired her to explore the possibilities and forge her own path. “The different settings and environments at my disposal were almost endless,” she says. “Having a business class incorporated into the curriculum also prepared me for those big steps.”

When asked what a typical day-in-the-life as an RMT looks like, Oomen-Aller exclaimed, “there isn’t one!” For her, every day is different. “I have a few days a week where I practice at a clinic, a day to teach at the college, and a day when I take on other pursuits, like consulting, volunteering, or creative work.”

Among the things she enjoys most about her day-to-day are the flexibility, autonomy, and physical work. What she values “most of all is being able to help people,” she says.

Honoured to be entrusted with the health of her patients, she relishes being able to help alleviate the pain of others — whether it means assisting someone in making their pregnancy more comfortable or helping them return to their sport.

Though she also delights in having a career that is physically active and demanding, she does caution that the burnout is real. According to Oomen-Aller, it’s a drawback that can be remedied by actively finding balance. “It’s important to check in with yourself often and know your warning signs for needing a break.”

For those striving to find their calling, Oomen-Aller has some words of wisdom to impart. “Look at your passions like puzzle pieces,” she says. “Find ways to click them together, while also leaving room for your life to shift.”

To learn more about becoming an RMT, you can attend one of West Coast College of Massage Therapy’s monthly information sessions by emailing [email protected].

Credits: Originally written by Daily Hive and published on May 12, 2021″.View original article here:  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouverite-career-wellness-west-coast-college-massage-therapy

 

Study Tips!

Studying can be difficult and, unfortunately, there is no one magic solution to help you ace that final exam. However, there are many studying tips and tricks that can help you study smarter, work more efficiently, and retain more information. Here are some of our favourites.

1. Take good notes!

Taking good notes is probably the most fundamental studying advice around. If you don’t take good notes in the first place, then no amount of cramming, flash cards, study groups, or wish fulfillment will get you that A.

Taking good notes isn’t necessarily about writing down every single thing the instructor says, either; you’ll likely wind up running on autopilot, and won’t absorb the information being provided. Instead, learn to pick out the most important points. Is the instructor writing something down on the board? That’s likely to be an important piece of information. Are they putting up slides that are going to be available online after the lecture? Don’t waste your time copying them down – print them at the library after class.

Listen carefully during lectures, and pay attention. Ask questions as they come up, and keep your brain engaged with the material being presented to you. This will make recalling the information easier when you sit down to study.

Finally, use shorthand as a tool to help you efficiently write faster so you can spend less energy writing, and more energy listening. There are many ways to use shorthand, whether it’s the deceptively simple Gregg shorthand or the adaptable style of Teeline shorthand. Find the technique that works best for you, practice it, and employ it regularly. It could prove to be a huge time-saver.

2. Go over your notes regularly.

Now that you’re taking such good notes, don’t let them sit there collecting dust until the night before your exam. Review your notes regularly to keep the information from falling into the back end of your mind. Whether you read them over a few times immediately after class, make time to read through all of your notes once a week, or find it more helpful to rewrite them when you get home from lecture, go over them and engage with them. This will help the material stay fresh in your mind so you have an easier time recalling the information when it really counts.

3. Find out what learning style you’re best suited to.

Everyone’s brain processes information a little differently. Therefore, we all have different learning styles that benefit us; whether we’re visual or verbal learners, or any of the other sub-categories that encompass different learning styles, there’s a distinct way that our unique brains process and absorb information. There are many quizzes and questionnaires available online, including the VARK Questionnaire, that you can take to help you learn a bit more about how you absorb information.   

4. Set up study groups and meet regularly.

Our lives can be hectic, especially if you’re multitasking your academic life with other obligations like work or family. So finding the time to meet with a study group can be difficult, often leaving studying to the last minute before an exam. Do the best you can to set up a study group with some classmates, and meet as regularly as your schedules allow. Work together to quiz each other on the material you covered in class that week, or to practice new techniques on one another so you get a more practical understanding of the subjects you’re covering. No person is an island, so why study like one?

5. A healthy body means a healthy mind – take care of yourself!

Like taking good notes, this is probably one of the most fundamental tips for effective studying. Eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise, and get enough sleep. An exhausted brain will not adequately retain let alone recall information, nor will one that’s fuelled by pizza and Mr. Noodles. According to the National Sleep Foundation, anyone between the ages of 18 and 64 should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, with 6 hours being the bare-minimum appropriate amount.

When it comes to food, a good rule of thumb is to eat as Michael Pollan, author of Cooked and In Defense of Food, suggests: eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Make sure you’re putting green on your plate for every meal, that you’re getting a solid source of protein, and that you’re eating some grains, too.  

When you have some spare time, walk, or take the stairs if you’re not running late. Incorporate exercise into your commute if you can; walk to class or work if you’re not too far. This will save you time in the long run, so by the time you get home your workout for the day is already done!

Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times and make sure you’re drinking enough. The standard rule of thumb to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day is a good guideline, but it may vary from person to person. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men need approximately 3.7 litres of water a day, whereas women need closer to 2.7 litres.

We hope these tips, tricks, and bits of advice have been helpful. Try them out, find out what works best for you, and happy studying!  

Are you a current student of CCMH/WCCMT studying Massage Therapy? We want to hear about your experience! Contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about other students at CCMH by checking out our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Massage and the Mind-Body Connection

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This September 2017, Toronto will host the Invictus Games – a celebration of the strength of injured service members and veterans from over 17 allied nations.The event was established by Prince Harry in 2014 and is the only international adaptive sport event for injured active duty and veteran service members. In honour of the Invictus Games, CCMH/WCCMT will share interviews and stories of veterans who have graduated from our College and students with military backgrounds

Today we spoke with Amanda Kihn, a current student of WCCMT Victoria. She enrolled at WCCMT after serving for nearly 10 years in the Navy. We spoke with her about her transition to civilian life, her studies and challenges, why she loves Massage Therapy, and her aspirations for the future.

Hi Amanda. Can you tell us a bit about your experiences in the military?

I have sailed virtually every sea port on the Pacific from Alaska to Chile! One of my most memorable port visits was to Pearl Harbour, where I ate a mango that fell out of a tree on the base at Hickam. My favourite port to frequent was San Diego, the only place I have ever watched a professional baseball game. Go Giants!

Sounds like you got a lot of travel experience through your service! What led you to pursue a career in Massage Therapy?

I needed a drastic career change. When I left the Navy, I felt like a shadow of my former self. Massage Therapy seemed like a profession where I could continue to take care of people. When I was offered a vocational rehabilitation opportunity by SISIP/Manulife, I started looking for ways to serve humanity. This program was my answer.

We’re so glad you feel that way! Are there knowledge or skills from your past work and life experiences that carry over into Massage Therapy?

My skills are always a work in progress. Continuing education and professional development come naturally to me. I’m always ready to drink from the next fire hose. The military prepared me for studying long hours, dedication to the profession, and above all else, teamwork. This program can be stressful, but it’s only a fraction of the stress that I was used to when it came to my military experience. It’s still challenging, but I have faith in my own resilience. 

Sounds like you were well prepared for your studies here! Why did you choose to study at WCCMT in Victoria?

The budget and timeline were perfect for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. I was honest with them about my concerns transitioning back to civilian life, and the administration has always been on my side as I navigated some challenges. 

It would be quite a transition! What are your aspirations for your career as a Massage Therapist? 

I am open to all possibilities. Working with veterans with PTSD on releasing trauma registers pretty high on my radar these days. Exploring the mind-body connection and reintroducing therapeutic touch as a means of supplementing deep psychological healing is where my passion lives. I don’t know what my answer to this question will be a year from now when I graduate, but I know my work will be as unique as I am. 

We can’t wait to see where your career takes you! What excites you about working in Massage Therapy?

I love how magical it feels to treat someone, even just once, and have them leave feeling better than when they arrived. I get even more excited when they come back the next week so I can pick up where we left off. The real magic is that I know this profession is my vocation and I am elated every time I am able to help decrease someone’s pain or increase their physical or mental well-being. 

How fulfilling! Is there anything else about you that you think our readers may be interested to learn?

I’m a mom. I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. My husband is in the Navy. Studying in such an intense program isn’t easy, but when my husband sails, sometimes it feels impossible. Teamwork is the answer. My support team in the class and my extended family have helped me be all that I can be… and more!

We wish you all the best in your studies and career, Amanda! Thank you for speaking with us.

Want to share your story? Contact [email protected] to be featured in our blog. 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.