| Physical Therapist (FOREIGN PTs) |
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Gateway Manpower & Consulting is able to place the foreign physical therapist in a job here in the USA.
If you are a a foreign physical therapist, please visit our JOB OPENINGS FOR physical therapists page, in order to see what is available. Thereafter, you may apply with our office. Once we receive your application, we will contact you and inform you about your application. The reason why most physical therapist choose us to represent them because we do a good job getting them RESULTS with honesty, integrity and professionalism. Click here to see 'Why Choose Us'
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| Do you qualify? |
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| Requirements & Qualifying Exams
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U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has recognized and given authority to only two
(2) organizations to prescreen Foreign Educated Physical Therapist (FEPT) and issue qualifying healthcare worker certificates for immigration purposes:
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| (1) Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
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The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is one of only two organizations given authority by the USCIS to prescreen FEPTs and to issue qualifying healthcare worker certificates for immigration. FCCPT is a non-profit organization created to assist the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. jurisdiction licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and/or work in the United States. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine whether FEPTs have acquired educational credentials that are equivalent to those required of physical therapists (PTs) educated in the U.S.
To work as a physical therapist in the U.S., the FEPT must posses a valid occupational visa issued by USCIS and a physical therapy license issued by each jurisdiction where the FEPT wishes to work. To obtain an immigrant visa, the FEPT must obtain a certificate from an authorized credentialing organization that verifies and authenticates that the FEPT is qualified to work in the U.S. as a physical therapist. To obtain this certificate, PTs must:
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| 1. Meet the same substantially equivalent educational standards required of U.S.-educated physical therapists;
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| 2. Demonstrate English proficiency and;
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| 3. Have their eligibility to practice (licenses/registration) verified. |
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| The FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation (Type I Certificate) is a comprehensive evaluation of your credentials based on the approved guidelines of the FCCPT. This Credentials Evaluation is used primarily for the individual who has never been licensed in the U.S. This certificate verifies compliance with an educational credentials review, English language proficiency requirements and verification of ability to practice in the country of education. This comprehensive evaluation may be useful in meeting the requirement for visa purposes, licensure and/or academic admissions. This certificate can also provide a certain level of portability if an individual anticipates becoming licensed in more than one jurisdiction. Type I certification and Educational Credentials Reviews take an average of 16 weeks to complete review. To apply go to: http://www.fccpt.org/pdf/regular_05.pdf.
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| (2) Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
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| CGFNS is an immigration-neutral, nonprofit organization and is an internationally recognized authority on education, registration and licensure of physical therapists and other healthcare professionals worldwide. CGFNS administers this certification process through its division, the International Commission on Healthcare Professions, (ICHP). The CGFNS/ICHP process is called VisaScreen, and a VisaScreen Certificate is issued to the applicant upon successful completion of the review process. CGFNS established ICHP in 1996 and created the VisaScreen™ program to conduct the certification of foreign-educated healthcare professions mandated in section 343. The VisaScreen™ certification program comprises an educational analysis, licensure validation, English language proficiency assessment, and in the case of physical therapists, an exam of nursing knowledge. Once the applicant has successfully completed all elements of the program, the applicant is awarded a VisaScreen Certificate, which can be presented to a consular office or, in the case of adjustment of status the Immigration and Naturalization Service, as part of a visa application. To apply: http://www.cgfns.org/pdf/apps/ces/CESApplication.pdf.
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VISA SCREEN Certificate
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U.S. immigration law now requires that healthcare professionals, other than physicians, complete a screening program in order to qualify for certain occupational visas. Visa Screen: Visa Credentials Assessment, a program offered by CGFNS' division the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), enables healthcare professionals to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure compliance with the government's minimum eligibility standards.
Applicants who successfully completed the Visa Screen receive a Visa Screen Certificate, which can be presented to a consular office, or in the case of adjustment of status, the attorney general as part of a visa application.
Visa Credential Assessment Fee $ 325.00
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| National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
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The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) develops and administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. All 50 states and 3 additional jurisdictions use the NPTE as one factor in the licensure or certification of physical therapist and physical therapist assistants.
The FSBPT also can develop and administer jurisprudence examinations. Currently FSBPT offers jurisprudence exams for California, Georgia, Florida and Nebraska.
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| The NPTE program has two purposes:
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| 1. to provide examination services to regulatory authorities charged with the regulation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; and
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2. to provide a common element in the evaluation of candidates so that standards will be comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) examinations are designed to assess basic entry-level competence of the licensure candidate who has graduated from an accredited program or from an equivalent non-accredited program.
The physical therapy examination is only one part of the evaluation process used by licensing authorities. In some jurisdictions, the physical therapy examination is supplemented by other means of assessing candidates' ability to provide physical therapy. To apply, http://www.fsbpt.org/download/CandidateHandbook.pdf
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| Types of Visa
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| Physical Therapists can come sooner in a non-immigrant visa category called H1B or just like physical therapists, Physical Therapists can be petitioned on an immigrant status.
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| 1) H1B Visa:
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| Physical Therapists are now required to present a visa screen with applications for H1B approval. Currently there are two sources for the Visa Screen for Physical Therapists: FCCPT (http://www.fccpt.org) and CGFNS (http://www.cgfns.org). The visa screen also compares your education to U.S. education and you are required to pass:
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 | TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
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TSE (Test of Spoken English)
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TWE.(Test of Written English)
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H1B is usually issued in three (3) year increments and is capped at six (6) years. The H1B is a specialty worker visa that also needs a US employer to petition. Processing time is considerably faster that the normal processing time for an immigrant visa. Once the USCIS approves the petition, it sends a copy to the US Consulate. The Physical Therapist must then apply for the H1B visa at the Consulate. Once the visa is issued, the Physical Therapist may come to the US to begin working for his employer. For more information, go to http://www.srclawoffice.com/Immigration/workvisa.htm.
Processing Time: 15-30 days for Premium Processing and 3-12 months for Regular processing
Validity: Valid for three (3) years renewable up to a maximum of six years (6)
Start date of Filing : April 1, 2006
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| 2) Immigrant Visa (Green Card)
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Although it takes a longer period of time to process the immigrant visa, it is generally the best and safest alternative for a foreign physical therapist who wants to work in the US.
Employment based immigrant visas for professionals typically involves three main steps:
a. Labor Certification: the purpose of this application is to test the employer’s local labor market. If no qualified and available workers are filled in, the position is certified as open for a foreign worker. This is filed to the US Department of Labor.
b. I-140 Petition: the purpose of this petition is to verify that the foreign professional has the minimum requirements to fill the open position. This serves to classify the foreign professional as eligible for the position. This petition is filed to USCIS.
c. Adjustment of Status: for foreign professionals who are legally present in the US, the I-140 petition and the adjustment of status can be filed simultaneously. However, those professionals who are outside of the US must make an application for an immigrant visa at the Consulate.
The nursing and physical therapist are included in the pre-certified occupations for which labor shortage was recognized. The advantage of being pre certified is that it does not have to go through labor certification, which is the most time consuming part of the employment based immigration process.
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| Processing Time: Twelve (12) to Eighteen (18) months
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| Validity: indefinitely as permanent resident. May apply for US citizenship after five (5) years of continued residency in the US. |
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| c) Apply Now!
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Contact Info: Gateway Manpower & Resources Services
3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1900Los Angeles, Ca. 90010
www.gatewaymc.com
(213) 386-8688
Fax: (213) 404-0905
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| Gateway Manpower and Consulting Service is focused on finding the right job for you (applicant/medical professional). With our resources in almost every aspect of the healthcare business, you (applicant/medical professional) can be assured that you (applicant/medical professional)r career opportunities will never run dry with us.
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