Qualifying examinations (QEs) will be held from October 2006 for the following foreign-trained Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who wish to practise in Singapore and who do not possess the necessary professional qualifications, as determined by the Ministry of Health (MOH):
To be eligible for the QE, the foreign applicant must meet the following criteria:
a) All applicants should possess a diploma or degree qualification in the relevant discipline of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiotherapy or radiography.
b) All applicants should already have a job offer to practise locally in one of the 4 identified allied health professions.
The QE standards will reflect competencies for safe and current practice in Singapore. Questions for the QE will be drawn from Nanyang Polytechnic course curriculum, and moderated to ensure relevance to all
practice sectors.
Examination format: 2-hour written paper with ½ hour viva voce 2-hour written paper consisting of the following:
i) MCQ (60 marks)
60 multiple-choice questions covering all areas of occupational therapy assessment and intervention and also foundational knowledge areas of anatomy, physiology, psychology and
sociology.
ii) Short Answer Question (30 marks)
3 short-answer questions covering topics related to occupational therapy assessment and intervention. This section will assess the candidate on the description of theory, assessment or intervention process.
iii) Long Answer Question (30marks)
The candidate will be given a choice to answer one of three case study related questions. Each case study will cover a different population group seen by occupational therapists and will examine the ability to apply clinical reasoning based on occupational therapy theoretical concepts to a case situation.
30-minute Viva Voce ( 80 marks)
i) The candidate will be given a choice of three case studies. The candidate will be given 10 minutes to prepare a therapeutic plan to manage the chosen case study. The candidate will then present orally to the examiners, the assessment and treatment plan including contraindications and precautions. Emphasis will be on the use of evidence and theoretical concepts to justify management of a case. Examiners will then ask specific questions in relation to the candidate’s response or provide progress scenario for appropriate response to the case.
ii) Marks will be awarded based on the soundness of clinical reasoning (e.g. choice of assessment, interventions), ability to identify outcomes, ability to present management strategies methodically, use of research evidence and use of occupational therapy theories.
Examination format: 3-hour computer based
examination consisting of 250 multiple-choice
questions covering topics taught in the
Diagnostic Radiography and Radiation Therapy
curriculum at NYP.
Part 1 (common for DR and RT candidates)
Part 1 will consist of 150 questions on patient care, radiation protection, radiological informatics and radiological anatomy.
Part 2 is discipline specific
Part 2 for Diagnostic Radiography will consist of 100 MCQs on Radiography, Imaging and Instrumentation.
Part 2 for Radiation Therapy will consist of 100 MCQs on Radiation Therapy Theory and Radiation Therapy Techniques.
Examination format: 2-hour written paper and 1-hour practical exam
2-hour written paper consisting of:
i) 10 MCQs on Paediatrics and Electrophysical Agents (EPA).
(10 marks)
ii) Short answer questions
(110 marks)
Comprising compulsory questions on cardiopulmonary, neurology and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and optional questions on the above topics and other topics such as paediatric physiotherapy, women’s health.
Basic anatomy, physiology and behavioural science questions may be asked in the applied manner in the short answer questions. Short answer questions are mainly case studies with questions on clinical diagnosis, management and justification of management with appropriate clinical reasoning.
1-hour practical examination (90 marks)
The practical exam will include 3 scenarios of 20 minutes each in the following areas: Neurology, Musculoskeletal, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy.
Scenarios will be similar to clinical cases. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate appropriate assessment, related management techniques and interventions and elaborate on the goals of management on each clinical case. Examiners will require candidates to provide evidence-based justification for choice of management techniques and interventions used.
Each candidate will have to be present at the practical labs 20 mins before the scheduled examination time. The candidate will use the 20 mins to prepare for the 3 case scenarios that they will be tested on.
Information of the QE requirements will be posted on MOH website. Employers or the candidate will have to submit using the attached application form
According to guidelines set out by MOH, candidates will be allowed a maximum of two attempts to pass the QE. The closing date for QE applications would be 6 weeks before the QE. The maximum number of candidates is 20 per sitting for OT, 20 per sitting for PT and 30 per sitting for both RT and RT candidates.
The cost per candidate is $400.00 (including GST) for each sitting. The application form together with the payment must be submitted by the employer to NYP 6 weeks before the QE. The payment may be in the form of Singapore issued cheques or bank drafts in Singapore currency. Payment for the QE is to be made payable to “Nanyang Polytechnic” and be sent to: General Administration Officer, School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, Singapore 569830.
There shall be no refund in the event of non-attendance.
The QE will be conducted four times a year in Jan, April, July and Oct. The exams will be held at on the 2nd Wednesday of the above-stated months for DR and RT. OT and PT QEs will be held on the 2nd Friday of the above-stated months and may be conducted over two days, Thursdays and Fridays. Candidates are expected to be present on both days.
The employer will be informed by email/letter about the venue, date and time of the QE after the application form and payment have been received. Candidates sitting for the exam must be present at the stated venue at the stipulated time. Candidates will not be admitted into the exam venue 30 mins after the commencement of the exam. Candidates must bring along their passport and copy of the reply from NYP as proof of identity.
Results will be released 3 weeks after the QE. The exam panel will issue letters to the employers to inform them of the QE results.
According to the guidelines set out by MOH, candidates who fail the QE will be allowed to sit for a second and final attempt. Employing institutions are required to submit the application form with the required fee by the given closing date for the respective scheduled test date.
The decision of the panel is final and appeals will not be entertained.
Candidates may first consult the MOH website for general details about employment in Singapore and the eligibility criteria to sit the qualifying exams.
Low J. & Reed A (2000). (3rd). Electrotherapy explained. principles and practice. Oxford ; Boston . Butterworth-Heinemann.
Cardiopulmonary
Tecklin, S. J. (ed) (2004) Cardiopulmonary
physical therapy: a guide to practice. (4th edition).St
Louis, Mosby.
Pryor, J.A. and Prasad, S.A.
(eds.) (2008) Physiotherapy for Respiratory and Cardiac
Problems. Adults and Paediatrics. (4th edition). Edinburgh ;
New York : Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.
Musculoskeletal
Magee D. J. (2002). Orthopaedic Physical Assessment.(4th ed.) W.B. Saunders
Carr, J.and Shepherd, R. (2003) Stroke rehabilitation : guidelines for exercise and training to optimize motor skill. New York : Butterworth-Heinemann.
Paediatrics
Campbell, S.K., Palisano, R. J., Vander, W. D.
(2005)Physical Therapy for Children (3rd ed)
Philadelphia,Saunders.
Scope of the Qualifying Examination for Allied 