English language test for healthcare professionals

Transcription

1 Occupational English Test (OET) English language test for healthcare professionals 1 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 1 19/09/ :20

2 Occupational English Test (OET) OET is an English language test designed to meet the specific needs of the healthcare sector. It assesses the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals looking to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. This high-quality test has been designed by world-leading experts in language assessment, and is supported by over 30 years of test development, research and validation. Is OET the right test for me? OET tests international health practitioners from the following 12 professions: Dentistry Occupational Therapy Podiatry Dietetics Optometry Radiography Medicine Pharmacy Speech Pathology Nursing Physiotherapy Veterinary Science If you have chosen one of these professions, OET is the ideal test for you. 2 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 2 19/09/ :20

3 Why should I take OET? It shows employers that you have the English language skills needed to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients and their families, to deliver quality healthcare. It is accepted by major healthcare regulators and councils in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore as proof of employee language competence. Your OET qualification can be used for registration, education and employment opportunities. It can also be used for a visa application to Australia. 3 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 3 19/09/ :20

4 Who recognises OET? OET is recognised and trusted by over 20 healthcare regulators, boards, councils and government departments in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Many organisations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are also using OET as proof of a candidate s ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment. These organisations include Monash University, Australian Catholic University (ACU), Deakin University and the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). 4 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 4 19/09/ :20

5 Australia Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) OET is accepted by DIAC 1 for various visa categories. These include skilled migration and student visas. Visit for more details. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) National agency responsible for the registration of 14 health professions in Australia. The following Boards accept OET as proof of English language proficiency for registration purposes: Dental Board of Australia Medical Board of Australia Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Occupational Therapy Board of Australia Optometry Board of Australia Pharmacy Board of Australia Physiotherapy Board of Australia Podiatry Board of Australia. Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC) Australian Dental Council (ADC) Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (Australia and New Zealand) Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) Speech Pathology Australia (SPA). 1 This information is accurate as of September CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 5 19/09/ :20

6 New Zealand Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC) Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (Australia and New Zealand) Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ) Nursing Council of New Zealand Pharmacy Council of New Zealand Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand Veterinary Council of New Zealand. Singapore Singapore Medical Council. Financial assistance The Assessment Subsidy for Overseas Trained Professionals Program (ASDOT) is an Australian Government initiative applicable to 11 of the 12 OET professions. Eligible candidates may apply for financial assistance to cover the cost of taking OET. Further information is available at 6 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 6 19/09/ :20

7 What does the test cover? OET covers all four language skills with an emphasis on communication in a healthcare environment. It consists of four sub-tests: Listening Reading Writing Speaking. The Listening and Reading sub-tests are designed to assess your ability to understand spoken and written English, based on health-related topics and tasks common to all professions. The Writing and Speaking sub-tests are specific to the 12 individual healthcare professions designed to reflect common tasks performed in the workplace. 7 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 7 19/09/ :20

8 The four components of OET Listening sub-test (approximately 50 minutes) The Listening sub-test consists of two parts, with questions in total: Part A: a recorded, simulated professional/patient consultation with note-taking questions. Part B: a recorded talk or lecture on a health-related topic with a range of questions including short answer and multiple choice. The content for this sub-test is the same for all candidates irrespective of profession. Reading sub-test (60 minutes) The Reading sub-test consists of two parts: Part A: summary task Skim and scan 3 4 short texts (a total of 650 words) on a single health-related topic and complete a summary paragraph by filling in the missing words (a total of gaps), in 15 minutes. Part A is designed to test your ability to accurately process and retrieve written information in a meaningful way, within a time limit. Part B: reading comprehension task Read two passages ( words each) on general health topics and answer 8 10 multiple choice questions for each text, in 45 minutes. Part B is designed to assess your ability to read and understand information on health-related topics within a time limit. The content for this sub-test is the same for all candidates irrespective of profession. 8 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 8 19/09/ :20

9 Writing sub-test (45 minutes) You will be asked to write a letter usually a referral letter, based on case notes. In this letter you should: record treatment offered to date explain the issues to be addressed (based on given instructions) show that you have considered the facts and information write words, set out in an appropriate format. The content for this sub-test is profession-specific. Speaking sub-test (approximately 20 minutes) This test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English. It consists of two simulated consultations between a healthcare professional and a patient. In these role plays you will take the role of the practitioner and the interviewer plays the patient or patient s relative/carer (or for veterinary science, the animal s owner/carer). The content for this sub-test is profession-specific. Where and when can I take OET? OET is available up to 10 times a year, at over 50 testing venues worldwide. To see the current test dates and list of countries where the test is available visit 9 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 9 19/09/ :20

10 to 18/6/ URTI. How do I register for OET? You register for OET using an application form, via our website. As part of the online application, you need to upload a recent, passport-size, colour photo in electronic format (jpg). You will fi nd all the information you need on how to apply for OET, including guidelines for uploading photos, test costs and how to pay, on the website. How can I prepare for the test? To help with your study, you can access resources at Download a set of practice materials including free sample papers. Additional practice materials can be ordered from the OET bookshop. Find a list of training providers who offer preparation courses for OET dyspepsia OCCUPATIONAL ENGLISH TEST WRITING SUB-TEST: MEDICINE TIME ALLOWED: READING TIME: 5 MINUTES WRITING TIME: 40 MINUTES Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows. Notes: PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY 1 Reason for visit Hurt back recently Hurt it before as well 2 Previous back injury 3 Sporting activities and nature of work Marker s use only Patient: Anne Hall (Ms) DOB: Height: 163cm Weight: 75kg BMI: 28.2 (18/6/10) Social History: Teacher (Secondary History, English) Divorced, 2 children at home (born 1994, 1996) Non-smoker (since children born) Social drinker mainly spirits Substance Intake: Nil Allergies: Codeine; dust mites; sulphur dioxide FHx: Mother hypertension; asthmatic; Father peptic ulcer Maternal grandmother died heart attack, aged 80 Maternal grandfather died asthma attack Paternal grandmother unknown Paternal grandfather died old age 94 PMHx: Childhood asthma; chickenpox; measles 1975 tonsillectomy 1982 hepatitis A (whole family infected) 1984 sebaceous cyst removed 1987 whiplash injury 1998 depression (separation from husband); SSRI fluoxetine 11/ overweight sought weight reduction TURN OVER 2 TURN OVER 3 Item 1 4 Item dermatitis; Rx oral & topical corticosteroids 18/6/10 PC: dysphagia (solids), onset 2/52 ago post viral(?) URTI URTI self-medicated with OTC Chinese herbal product contents unknown No relapse/remittent course No sensation of lump No obvious anxiety Concomitant epigastric pain radiating to back, level T12 W Weight loss: 1-2kg Recent increase in coffee consumption Takes aspirin occasionally (2-3 times/month); no other NSAIDs Provisional diagnosis: gastro-oesophageal reflux +/- stricture Plan: Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required Writing task: 4 Circle the best answer. 1 Functional tests assess the effect of on the heart A exertion B trauma C drugs 2 During an exercise ECG, ischemia will be signaled by a drop in... A blood pressure B heart rate C ST waves 3 One drawback of exercise ECGs is that they are... A prohibitively expensive B lacking in precision C less effective with males 4 According to the speaker, when an exercise ECG test is negative... A angina should still not be ruled out B chest pain is not related to angina C the patient is more at risk of angina 5 Complete the gaps in the summary. An exercise echocardiogram is a more test. It monitors the patient s left ventricular and before and after exercise on a or. It s more accurate, with sensitivity and specificity above. It provides more information about the heart, and as well as the presence of myocardial infarctions. An exercise echocardiogram provides complementary information to. TURN OVER 12 Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral for further investigation and definitive diagnosis to the gastroenterologist, Dr Jason Roberts, at Newtown Hospital, 111 High Street, Newtown. In your answer: expand the relevant notes into complete sentences do not use note form use letter format The body of the letter should be approximately words. 3 Item 17 4 Item 18 6 Item 19 5 Marker s use only 2 This list is for information only we do not endorse any particular training programme. 10 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 10 19/09/ :20

11 When and how will I receive my results? Your results will be published on the website approximately 15 business days after the test: log in to your secure online profile to see them. Official Statements of Results will be posted as soon as possible after this to the current address in your online profile. How is OET graded? You will receive a separate grade for each sub-test you take, ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). There is no overall grade. Here are the descriptions for each grade that appear on the printed Statement of Results: OET grade A B C D E Description of ability Very high level of performance High level of performance, i.e. able to use English with fluency and accuracy adequate for professional needs Good level of performance; however, not acceptable to a range of health and medical councils Moderate level of performance: requires improvement Low level of performance: requires considerable improvement 11 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 11 19/09/ :20

12 Register online today at: Got a question? Contact us The OET Centre GPO Box 372 Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia UCLES 2013 CE/1466/3Y09 * * Tel: The Occupational English Test (OET) is designed to meet the specific English language needs of the healthcare sector. It assesses the language proficiency of healthcare professionals who wish to practise in an English-speaking environment. OET is owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Pty Ltd. It is a joint venture between Cambridge English Language Assessment and Box Hill Institute. Cambridge English Language Assessment is a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge with over 100 years of experience in assessing the English language. Box Hill Institute is a leading Australian vocational and higher education provider, active both in Australia and overseas. 12 CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 12 19/09/ :20