Diploma in Physiotherapy

Course Introduction

Click here to download the Course Brochure

Graduates of the Diploma in Physiotherapy are competent health science professionals who possess the knowledge and skills to therapeutically manage and prevent problems arising from disorders related to movement affecting the human body. Being focused on providing quality health care, physiotherapists implement evidence-based techniques to correct and/or manage dysfunction of the human body and various disabilities for people of all age groups.

Duration 

3 academic years on a full-time basis

Career Prospects 

Opportunities are abundant for the graduate with a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Nanyang Polytechnic. Not only are physiotherapists independent practitioners who can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, sports clinics, specialist centers for management of cancer and heart conditions, psychiatric centers, community health care centres, home for the elderly sick and in wellness clinics, they can also find career opportunities in research facilities, educational institutions and healthcare management sectors.

The physiotherapist's clients may range from elite sports individuals to the frail elderly, and the work environment may vary from hydrotherapy pools to the sports field. The key objective is to rehabilitate clients so as to enable them to achieve maximal or optimal independence in movement and function.

There are ample opportunities for continuous education and further specialisation. Specialist post-graduate programmes are available in areas such as orthopaedics, paediatrics, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, gerontology, women's health, sports physiotherapy, neurosciences, health promotion, manual therapy, hand rehabilitation and health care management. Degree conversion programmes are also available both locally and overseas for the physiotherapy graduate.

The Diploma in Physiotherapy at Nanyang Polytechnic has been given accreditation by the Singapore Physiotherapy Association, a member of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy. This affiliation permits the graduates to practise worldwide, subject to local regulations.

Further Education 

Curtin Singapore

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Course Aims

The course is designed to offer students a comprehensive learning and practical experience to function as fully competent physiotherapists on graduation. Through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and clinical education, the course will equip the students with:

• the knowledge of body mechanics, health promotion, biological and behavioural sciences of disease process and physiotherapy concepts to manage disability;

• an understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of professional practice;

• the ability to comprehensively assess, critically analyse and accurately interpret a variety of musculoskeletal, cardio-pulmonary, neurological, sports-related, gerontological and other impairments;

• therapeutic skills and confidence to implement evidence-based physiotherapy programmes for all age groups;

• the ability to work independently within a variety of healthcare and community settings; and

• the scientific knowledge and exposure to conduct clinical research

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Industrial Attachment

Physiotherapy students are attached to health care organisations for clinical placement to allow them to integrate clinical experiences with their academic studies. Clinical attachments are held both during the semestral period as well as the vacation period.

Student physiotherapists complete a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical attachment during their three year of studies. In year 1, students undergo a two-week block of clinical attachment. Beginning year 2 to year 3, the clinical attachment increases to six blocks with duration varying from three to five weeks per block.
During each clinical attachment, students are under the supervision of a qualified and experience clinician. It is imperative that students have hands-on practice to a variety of clients and in various areas of physiotherapy practice. Such supervision and guidance is important as it prepares the students for professional practice after they graduate.

Clinical Placement schedule/roster can be accessed from myNYP Portal

Information for Physiotherapy's Clinical Supervisors

Key Contact 

Ms. Audrey Lim
Year 1 Co-ordinator
Tel: 65501435
Email: audrey_lim@nyp.gov.sg

Ms. Michelle Ng
Year 2 Co-ordinator
Tel: 65501333
Email: michelle_ng@nyp.gov.sg

Ms. Bernadine Teng
Year 3 Co-ordinator
Tel: 65501355
Email: bernadine_teng@nyp.gov.sg

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Hospital Sponsorships

• Health Sciences Scholarships (Local)

• Health Sciences Scholarships (Overseas)

• NCSS Scholarship

• St Luke's Hospital

• Temasek Cares Sponsorship

• SATAScholarshipDetails2012.pdf 

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