Satisfying professional careers
T he West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT), a pioneer and leader in the massage therapy industry, is helping to meet the growing demand for highly trained registered massage therapists. WCCMT’s commitment to quality education exceeds Provincial requirements, ensuring that graduates are competitively sought out for a variety of clinical settings. After completing their licensing exam, WCCMT graduates have a variety of employment opportunities.
Most Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are self-employed contractors who either work in large multidisciplinary clinics with chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopathic doctors, Chinese medicine doctors or acupuncturists.
Some choose to open their practices either in their homes or other commercial space. RMTs may also see patients in extended care facilities or in their homes, providing mobile massage services. The extensive population demographic that WCCMT students are exposed to while in school enables them to confidently step into a variety of clinical opportunities.
To maintain registration and remain in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC), all RMTs must complete 24 credits of continuing education courses every twoyear period. Most RMTs select continuing education courses that further training in specific areas of practice.
Continuing education courses are reviewed for approval from the CMTBC before they are granted credit approval. This process ensures the courses RMTs are taking are of a high quality and calibre.
The list of possible continuing education courses (CECs) is extensive, like muscle energy techniques, manual lymph drainage and fascial techniques. CECs may also focus on specific conditions like pregnancy, cancer, geriatric focus or baby massage.
The CMTBC supports further education on practice building courses that ensure RMTs are able to run larger clinics and deal with multiple billing agencies or other organizations like ICBC, WCB and Blue Cross.
Professional practice courses with education in maintaining proper professional boundaries and self care are also widely supported as an important aspect of continuing education for RMTs. WCCMT’s rigourous program and wide variety of clinical opportunities give graduates the opportunity to determine which specific area of massage they would like to focus on when registered.
Becoming an RMT is a career choice that is consistently evolving and growing, ensuring the learning process continues well into a very satisfying career.