Kupot Cholim | Private Practice | Finding Work | Knowledge of Hebrew | Interview with a Physical Therapist

There is a demand for Physical Therapists in Israel. Physical therapists are employed in Health Funds (Kupot Cholim), hospitals, clinics, old age homes, child development centers, special-ed schools, etc.

Professional Certification 

On July 30^th, 2008, the Law of Professional Recognition for Health Professions, 2008 was publicized. The law went into effect on January 30^th, 2009. You can find the Ministry of Health’s description of the law in Hebrew at: http://www.health.gov.il/pages/default.asp?maincat=4&catid=42&pageid=3784

Nefesh B'Nefesh has translated and summarized the licensing process. Please see Licensing for Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists.

Kupot Cholim

Each of the four health funds, Meuchedet, Macabbi, Clalit and Leumit has branches throughout the country. The differences between the health funds lie mainly in the location of their facilities, the types of supplemental policies offered, and additional services offered within the framework of their facilities. Most large cities have a clinic in almost every district. Physical therapists either work in the Kupot or work privately and accept Kupot members and get paid per treatment.

Private Practice

When you have a private practice you can see either see patients on a strictly private basis, or, if you have an agreement with a Kupa, you can receive members of health funds and then be reimbursed by the funds. There are many practices that combine the two.

Finding Work

One way to begin looking for work is to directly contact your local health funds or local hospitals and speak to the department head of Physical Therapy.

It is also possible to turn to the government employment bureau for academics, known as the Bureau for the Placement of Professionals (Lishka Le Ta'asukat Acadama'im). In Jerusalem, go to:

Lishkat Taasuka
5th Floor of (new) Central Bus Station, Jerusalem
Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:30 – 11:30 AM and 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Monday, Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Phone: 02 501 3111
Etti and Bilha speak English.

For a full listing of Lishkat Taasuka locations throughout Israel, see http://www.taasuka.gov.il/branches.asp.

In addition, the Ministry of Education might be contacted regarding positions for physical therapists both in regular and special education schools.

If you are opening your own practice, word of mouth is one of the best resources. In addition, community email lists and local bulletins are helpful in publicizing your services. Writing a column for a local newspaper is a good way to establish your name in the community. As with most private practices, it is helpful to have a niche market, such as sports medicine or pediatrics.

Knowledge of Hebrew

A good working knowledge of Hebrew is essential. It is strongly advised to study Hebrew before you arrive and then to take Ulpan upon arrival. Even where an immigrant physical therapist works entirely with speakers of his/her mother tongue, it is still necessary to deal with the various agencies that make up the Israeli medical network. For a full listing of Ulpan options, see the Ulpan Guide.

In addition to regular ulpan, Misrad HaKlita offers an ulpan for medical professionals - shlav bet. The class opens provided there are enough people who are interested. Be in touch with your local branch of Misrad HaKlita to find out when the next class will begin. For more information, see Medical Ulpan.

Recognition of Diplomas through Misrad Hachinuch

If you intend to work in any public institution including schools or hospitals, you must have all of your academic diplomas recognized by Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education) for salary assessment purposes. When you work in a public institution, your salary is partially based on your level of education. See Recognition of Academic Degrees.

Contacts

To receive updates about the profession and current postings you can join the Association of Physical Therapists. Contact:

The Association of Physical Therapists
Arlozorov 93
Tel Aviv
Tel: 03-692-1278

Interview with a Physical Therapist

Special thanks to Tehilla for allowing us to reprint the following interview:
Interview with Ronit Sandowsky, a physical therapist at Neve Zvi.
Neve Zvi is a special education school catering to all levels of disabilities in the ultra orthodox community. The school has a staff of seven physical therapists.

Q: What did you study? What advice do you have for students who would like to go into your field?

A: I studied physical therapy at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. Downstate has an excellent physical therapy department. In Israel there isn't a big difference between an MA and a BA unless you have a government job (in which case you make a slightly higher salary). I think a student who wants to be a PT and make Aliya can come to Israel without experience in the States. There is such a demand for therapists that anyone who comes with a degree will be able to find a job. If you decide to work in the States to make some money, you should do the continuing education courses there. There are many more courses available in the States and each course is another notch in your salary here.

Q: What are the professional options for a physical therapist in Israel?

A: A PT can work in a hospital, school, institution, Health Fund (Kupat Cholim), medical center, or a child development center. These centers evaluate a child. If the child is found to have development problems the center offers the following services: psychological, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, social work counseling. In addition there are doctors and nurses on staff. Besides being a staff PT if you have experience in Pediatrics NDT or the Bobath course and you have your certification, you have the opportunity to become a department head and your salary goes up. (Of course sometimes you are the head of your department because you are the department, i.e. you are the only PT working in the institution.)

Q: How is your career different in Israel vs. chutz laaretz?

A: In Israel there is more supervision. Also private patients are totally private. You're hired based on your reputation so you have to be really good. In the States, a person can work privately through an agency and the agency is responsible to the patient.

Q: How do you feel about living in Israel and being a physical therapist here?
A: When I was in Bar Ilan for my year in Israel I volunteered at Tel Hashomer. I saw the therapists doing chest therapy, where they hit the children on the chest. I saw this and said forget it, I am never going back to Tel Hashomer. I thought the therapists were abusing the children. When I was at NYU rehabilitation I spoke with the patients and they told me how even though the doctors were great, the therapists were the ones who saved their lives. I really like being a part of that. I work in the chareidi sector where I know my contribution counts. I definitely feel more connected to my patients here. I mean it can be a neighbor, a friend of a friend or just someone your age and religious. And here it is I live in Israel and have the knowledge and opportunity to help them.

Ronit made Aliya with her husband, Moshe and two children in 1994 . Today they live in Bet Shemesh.