P.I.M.T. Saskatoon News

Spots are now filling up fast!

With a proven record of employment and great facilities, it is imperative to sign up now if you want to be in our September class.

After 18 years and counting of quality education, Professional Institute of Massage Therapy is still the right choice for those wishing to enter the field of massage therapy.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, July 22, 2010

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK!

All grads and potential students! We are now setting up a page on Facebook under Professional Institute of Massage Therapy. Keep posted by visiting it regularly!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Applications Being Accepted for September - Space is Filling Fast!

This is a gentle reminder that spots are filling quickly at Professional Institute of Massage Therapy for September. Time flies quickly, so if you are planning on attending, please make sure you apply on-line at www.pimtmassage.ca

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Be Aware of Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

I received a very troubling newsletter today. A transient school from Australia was promoting their massage program and touting some statistics of being able to make you a "200% better practitioner" than the licensed schools in Canada. It went on to ridicule the standards set in some provinces and boast how it provided better massage therapists than the licensed schools. It went further and ridiculed the RMT designation of regulated provinces.

Wow.

Let's not even debate the quantification of the statistics that were used. They are ridiculous. Let's look at the real issues.

I am a huge proponent of standardized education. It provides you, the customer, with a level of comfort that you are receiving the type of education that you are paying for. It provides the client you treat upon graduation with a level of comfort that they are receiving true care when they are in your hands. It provides employers with comfort that they are hiring someone who will provide appropriate services and limit liability to their clinic.

Education provides comfort.

Licensed education means that industry has supported the curriculum the school is providing. It means that the school has adequate and up-to-date health and fire certification in their place of business. It means that they have a business license and pay taxes in their city of business. It means they are a part of the community. It means that the graduates meet the minimum standards for licensure in their city. Yes, upon graduation from a program you may need to prove to a city bylaw department that you have actually graduated from a recognized, licensed program before you can begin working as a massage therapist. Calgary is a prime example of this, as is Edmonton.

Licensure means comfort.

Licensed schools very often provide volunteer services to organizations within their city. For instance, we have provided the Kinsmen Telemiracle with massage therapy services for their participants who go on to raise millions of dollars for special needs populations. We raised money for the Canadian Cancer Society by organizing runs and providing the runners with post event massage. We have been involved with the NHL Alumni 3 on 3 Pond Hockey Event that raises money for charities.

Charitable acts provide comfort.

Licensed schools provide bonds to the government to protect your education.

Security in your investment means comfort.

You may not want to come to Professional Institute of Massage Therapy. You may feel that another educational institution can provide you with a better alternative or course that better suits your needs. I applaud you on your diligence so you consider the risks of jumping into a program that doesn't give you the comfort, care and quality that you deserve.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Applications For September are Now Being Accepted! Don't Miss Out

We are now accepting applications to our Advanced Massage Therapy Diploma programs.

These programs have filled up quickly in the past, so we ask all those interested in applying to do so early in order to not miss out.

To apply, simply go to the "Application" icon under the city of your choice.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, February 3, 2010

January Start Date! Apply Now!

I want to thank all of our new September students for attending a Professional Institute of Massage Therapy campus and wish our continuing students all the best as they near the end of their studies. You make us the best!

Massage therapy is a great career option in these recessionary times. Not only are job prospects still good in massage therapy, but you have so many different options. You can choose full-time, part-time or seasonal work, you can work in a clinic, a spa or even on a cruise ship (a number of our grads have chosen this option)!

Are you looking for a new career? Are you finishing a degree and finding job options limited? Did you find a great job only to find you are the victim of downsizing? Then consider massage therapy. Heck, I got into massage therapy in the last big recession and 16 years later I am so pleased I went in that direction.

We have January start dates available at all campuses. To apply click on the city you wish to attend in, and then go to the "Application" icon.

If you are unemployed or under-employed, there may be funding options available and there are also Canada Student Loans available for those eligible.

See you in January!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Apply today for a "Recession-Proof" Career!

Okay, we all know that there is really no such thing as a recession-proof career, but studies have shown that careers in health-care ride out the waves of turbulence better than most.

Things are really starting to change in massage therapy. Alberta is now on the road to regulation and Saskatchewan and Manitoba could soon be next. The time to get into massage therapy is now.

As an ardent supporter of regulation, Professional Institute of Massage Therapy is committed to providing a high quality program that readies you for the most demanding areas of massage therapy. Your assessment skills and treatment techniques will be very impressive.

Now is the time. Apply today to start a course and become one of the finest massage therapists in North America.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Education and Employment Insurance

Did you know that in certain situations Employment Insurance will pay for re-training you?

At Professional Institute of Massage Therapy we have had many students begin new careers with assistance from Employment Insurance. Details are different from province to province, but if you are unemployed and looking to start a career in massage therapy, this may be an option for you.
We have a simple on-line application process to get you on your way. Since you are on our website, simply go the the icon of the city you wish to attend school in, and then click on the "Application" icon.
You're on your way!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WE ARE HIRING!!

Professional Institute of Massage Therapy is growing! Are you interested in becoming a teacher? We have temporary and permanent part-time positions. If you have experience in massage therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, anatomy or physiology, we may have a place for you in our company. If you are interested, please e-mail your resume to robt@pimtmassage.ca.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Friday, March 13, 2009

Reminder - School Workshops Filling Fast

This is a reminder that school workshops are filling fast. These one day workshops are designed to help you determine whether a career in massage therapy is right for you.

Contact your Professional Institute of Massage Therapy campus today to ensure you don't miss out!

Saskatoon (306) 955-5833

Winnipeg (204) 775-1642

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Brier and Beyond! PIMT Students Make a Difference

I am so proud of our students. They are probably the best advertising we can ask for. Why? Because they care about their program, thats why.

We are finishing off a week where our students provided the massage therapy services for the Tim Horton's Brier, a major Canadian sporting event. I want to thank our students for shining brightly and making us proud.

Professionalism leads to success. By what has been diplayed by our students at all campuses, the massage therapy industry is in good hands.

Whats next for the PIMT students? We will tell you soon, but arrangements are being made to participate in one of the most hopeful, inspiring events that occurs across Canada.

Thanks PIMT students! You are the best!

If you are interested in becoming a PIMT student, simply call one of our three campuses.

We are accepting applications NOW!

Winnipeg (204) 775 - 1642

Saskatoon (306) 955-5833

Calgary (403) 247-4319

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, March 12, 2009

Quality of Life Considerations in Changing Times

Canadians are facing difficult times in the months ahead. Jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Many people are taking a job just to put food on the table because the "dream job" has disappeared. Or has it?

Recent data indicates that careers in health care are considered "recession-proof". Massage therapy is one of those industries still in demand. The beauty of massage therapy is that it is so flexible. You can work part-time, full-time, take the same holidays as your school children, sleep late, start early - the possibilities are endless.

We are proud to be Western Canada's Professional Massage Therapy training school. With campuses in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary we have been providing high quality training in massage therapy for over 15 years.

Your dream job is right here - contact us today!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

January Start Date! Apply Now!

Please note that we are now accepting applications for January, 2009 in all programs. To apply simply click on the "Application" icon under the school of your choice.

We know you have choices in your education.

We appreciate your consideration of our programs.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, November 13, 2008

Massage Therapy During Troubled Economic Times

The news is bleak these days on the economic front. Everywhere you look the news indicates that unemployment is going to rise and job opportunities are going to disappear. It is times like this that I am most excited to be involved in the massage therapy industry.

It was 1992, and we were in another recession. I still remember sending out resume after resume and having no luck on the job front. It was at that point that I made the most significant decision of my career. I went to massage therapy school.

I had always been interested in health care, but massage therapy really intrigued me for another reason - it gave me the opportunity to start my own business. If I couldn't find a job, then I decided it was up to me to make one for myself. The rest is history.

I encourage all people who are wondering what to do next in their lives to explore massage therapy. The profession offers a clean environment, great remuneration, flexible hours and loads of opportunity.

Professional Institute of Massage Therapy has a great history of grad employment. Check us out and take the next step in your career!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Friday, November 7, 2008

January Start Date Available!

Please note that we are pleased to offer our full class offering beginning in January 2009. We are now taking applications and spaces are filling quickly.

The January start date is a smaller class size and is great for people who have been out of school for a period of time and would appreciate a bit more access to the instructors.

To apply simply go to our "Application" link on the web site.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Monday, September 22, 2008

CLASSES FOR 2009

FALL CLASSES ARE WELL UNDERWAY! I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ALL NEW STUDENTS AND WISH THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL GRAUDATES AS THEY ENTER THE MASSAGE THERAPY AND PERSONAL TRAINING INDUSTRIES.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A NEW CAREER, PLEASE CONSIDER OUR JANUARY 2009 CLASSES AT ALL CAMPUSES. MASSAGE THERAPY IS ENTERING AN EVEN MORE EXCITING TIME AS TALK ABOUT REGULATING THE INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY IN ALBERTA, RAMPS UP.
WE AT PIMT FULLY ENDORSE MASSAGE THERAPY REGULATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS IN A REGULATED ENVIRONMENT.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT STARTING SCHOOL IN JANUARY, PLEASE APPLY ON-LINE OR CALL YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL TO FIND OUT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE JANUARY START DATE!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Friday, September 19, 2008

PIMT TO PROVIDE MASSAGE SERVICES AT 2009 TIM HORTONS BRIER

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PIMT STUDENT CLINIC HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO PROVIDE MASSAGE THERAPY SERVICES AT THE 2009 TIM HORTONS BRIER IN CALGARY. IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SUCH GREAT EVENTS AS THE 2006 GREY CUP IN WINNIPEG, THE 2008 KINSMEN TELEMIRACLE IN SASKATOON AND THE 2008 BMO / NHL ALUMNI 3-ON-3 POND HOCKEY EVENT IN CALGARY. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE AN AMAZING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS TO WORK IN HIGH EXPOSURE, "REAL-LIFE" SITUATIONS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY OUR BEST TO PROVIDE SUCH OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, June 19, 2008

Congratulations Grads!

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our 2008 graduates. It has been a pleasure to be your education provider and we look foreward to taking the lessons we have learned from the experience and making our program even better.

As you go out into the field of massage therapy I encourage all of you to continuously upgrade and improve your skills. Learning is a lifelong commitment and will help not only your clients, but also yourself.

Please keep in touch with the school and feel free to drop by any time. We always like to hear what you are doing!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Application Deadline Nearing.... Apply Soon!

The September 2008 classes are filling fast in Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

This is a reminder to those of you who are considering a September start date to apply soon.

Also, I would like to say good luck to our students who will be completing their program in May. Finals will be upon you soon and then it will be time to experience massage therapy as a career!

If there are any potential employers reading this, please consider hiring a PIMT grad. You will be very impressed!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Friday, April 25, 2008

Thanks to My Staff and Students!

I am a very lucky person. I think that I have the best students and staff anywhere. Bar none.

I went on a recent trip to Winnipeg and visited the school there. While I was there I had a meeting with my staff and was amazed to see the passion that they brought to the school. Sometimes when you are seeing things from a distance, you don't realize the small things that make a difference. I want to thank all of my staff for working so hard to be as good as they can be every day.

Now, I don't want to leave out my students! We recently finished up a few charitable events and I want to take this opportunity to tell all of my students how appreciative I am that they supported us and supported some worthwhile events. Our students were involved giving free massages to the participants and organizers for the Kinsmen Telemiracle in Saskatoon and the BMO 3 - on - 3 Pond Hockey Event in Calgary. The Kinsmen Telemiracle is an event that is close to my heart and we were pleased to make a donation and to see the students so excited to help out keeping the participants in great shape for the full 20 hours!

PIMT staff and students - you are truly the best. Thanks for all that you do!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

PIMT students work the NHL Alumni 3 on 3 Pond Hockey Event

Professional Institute of Massage Therapy was pleased to announce that its students provided massage therapy services for the NHL Alumni 3 on 3 Pond Hockey Event on February 17, 2008.

Instructor Jonathon Boudreau was a great help. The students found the event very rewarding and the athletes were very appreciative of massage services provided.

We would like to take this opportunity to say THANKS to the NHL Alumni and all of the sponsors and organizers for a fantastic experience.

We were proud to participate in such a great event that helped to raise money for minor hockey in Calgary.

For years we have participated in a series of events that allow our students to "give something back" to the community. These include the 2008 Telemiracle in Saskatoon, the 2006 and 2007 PIMT Run to Fight Cancer and our "Warm Feet for the Streets" campaigns.

This year, instead of hosting a Run to Fight Cancer, we have chosen to sponsor a walker in the 2008 60km Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

I want to thank all of our students who have participated over the years to help make their communities just a little bit better.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Assessment and the Standard of Massage Therapy

Have you been for a massage recently? What did you expect before the session? What were your expectations at the end of the session?

I know a person who went for a massage therapy session recently at a physiotherapy clinic in Calgary. The person is a marathon runner and had knee pain. During the treatment, the therapist made the claim that "your IT band is really tight". The therapist then went on to work the IT band.

I asked the patient afterwards if the therapist did any assessment to come to that conclusion. The answer was no.

At Professional Institute of Massage Therapy, we are proud of the high level of assessment skills that we seek from our students. As massage therapists, we need to remind ourselves that strong assessment skills are a requirement to proceed with appropriate treatment.

In both our full-time and part-time programs we are determined to provide those skills. Assessment skills provide you with competence. Competence provides you an ability to provide results. Results make you a trusted caregiver.

To have the greatest success in the field of massage therapy, look to your assessment skills.

If you are interested in our part-time programs, please call one of our campuses. We provide our complete diploma programs on the weekend. Keep your weekday job and train for a new career on the weekends!

Oh, that marathon runner? After some assessment she was put on a treatment regimen and is now back to training!

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Part-time Weekend Program to Start March, 2008 in Winnipeg and Saskatoon

At Professional Institute of Massage Therapy we try to find new ways to offer you our comprehensive programs. We are pleased to announce our new part-time weekend programs beginning March 2008.

These programs will run for 44 weekends per year for two years. We will have two weekends off over Christmas, a weekend off at Easter, four weekends off over summer (we all love summer holidays) and one additional weekend will be taken during the year.

If you have been looking for a way to get a two year advanced massage therapy diploma on a part-time basis, look no further!

To apply, call our Saskatoon or Winnipeg offices or apply through our application icons on the web site.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Monday, December 3, 2007

My Head is Dizzy! Are You a Good School or NOT?

Dear Potential Student:

I have a student who recently completed another massage therapy program. She found that program on-line.

It was "coming soon to a city near you" and had a date when it would be in her city.

She thought she asked all of the questions to protect herself. You can imagine her surprise when she was told at the end of the program that the certification she was about to receive was not recognized in the city where she took the course, but it would be recognized in Australia!

Too often I get asked if our course is "accredited" or if it is "recognized". At this point I take a deep breath and try to educate the potential student about massage "standards" and what all of these terms mean. Please allow me to try and give you some information that might help you decide on a massage program - hopefully after reading this, you will choose ours and end up feeling good about your decision.

REGISTERED

First of all, our program is "Registered" in each province we do business in. That means that the Department of Education of that province has reviewed our program and found it meets the needs to give the graduate a reasonable chance at employment. The program provides adequate information and employers have reviewed the content and would employ those who go to a program in a registered school.

Typically, any school that offers a program greater than forty hours and leads to employment must be registered. If it isn't, it may be operating illegally.

ACCREDITED

In Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, massage therapy is a regulated profession. In other provinces (we operate in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta) massage therapy is NOT regulated. In the regulated provinces there is a body called the College of Massage Therapists. Those bodies provide accreditation to educational institutions and also govern the actions of massage therapists. These bodies receive their powers from provincial legislation.

Often, schools might receive accreditation from outside bodies - for instance there are a number of accrediting bodies in the United States. Those accrediting bodies might be recognized by different government bodies (in the U.S.) allowing a person who goes to an "accredited school" to work in a certain jurisdiction. However, if that jurisdiction does not recognize the accreditation, it is of no value. No massage therapy governing body in Canada recognizes an external accrediting body to date.

CERTIFICATION

A certificate is generally a designation that requires you to re-take the materials regularly. Again, it is typical that NON-REGISTERED programs may offer certificates. They might offer a program that is less than 40 hours and not intended to provide career training in order to avoid having to become registered. Contact your provincial goverment Department of Education if a program is offering more than 40 hours of training and is NOT registered.

DIPLOMA

Most private vocational schools offer a diploma. These are typically 1 - 2 year programs that lead to career training. A diploma does not require you to take the material again, but professional associations may require or recommend up-grading your skills on a regular basis.

DEGREE

Some institutes offer a degree. BEWARE. It is a good idea to call the institution and determine what body the school got its "ACCREDITATION" from. Then call a major university in your area. See if they recognize that degree granting body.

At Professional Institute of Massage Therapy we are proud to be registered in all of the provinces we operate in. We have proven that we can provide education that can reasonably lead to employment in each jurisdiction.

Good luck with your school search.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Tuesday, October 16, 2007

GET READY... HERE COMES SEPTEMBER!!

Wow, I can't believe the summer is just about over. It seems just like yesterday we were having our 2nd Annual Run to Fight Cancer, which occured in April. Many thanks to all of our participants. It was a great success and we can't wait to do it again next year.

Speaking of Cancer fundraising, congratulations to Karen Thomas who participated in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. She raised over $2,000 and walked 60 km. The Calgary walk raised over 5.6 million dollars. I had fun shaving my head in a challenge to help raise money for that cause. it was a small price in comparison to all of the Walk participants who dealt with 38 degree heat over the two days of the walk.

School will be starting before you know it. If you are interested in attending and have not yet applied you better do so soon! We still have a few spots available. Please remember that if you missed the boat for September, you can always apply for the January start date.

I want to thank all of our staff for the past year and look forward to working with them again this year. It is you who make our programs so wonderful.

To our new and returning students, I hope that the coming year gives you the quality education that makes you proud to be a PIMT grad.

Sincerely,

Rob Thomas

Posted by Rob Thomas on Monday, August 13, 2007

WE NOW OFFER IN-HOUSE FINANCING!

Professional Institute of Massage Therapy is pleased to announce that we now have in-house financing available. If you require a loan for your education purposes we can receive approval within 24 hours of applying (OAC).

This product is available to any potential student, but is designed to help those who may not be eligible for traditional student loans.

For more information, contact the school.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Food Drive a Huge Success

For the week prior to the Christmas closure, the Saskatoon Campus of the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy accepted donations of food in lieu of payment for clinic services.

Posted by Rob Thomas on Thursday, January 18, 2007