english language test for healthcare professionals - · pdf fileenglish language test for...

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Occupational English Test (OET)

English language test for healthcare professionals

CE_1466_3Y09_OET_Candidate_Leaflet.indd 1 19/09/2013 17:20

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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.


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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.


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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).


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Australia

• Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) OET is accepted by DIAC1 for various visa categories. These include skilled migration and student visas. Visit www.diac.gov.au 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 2013.


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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 www.aei.gov.au/asdot


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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.


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The four components of OET

Listening sub-test (approximately 50 minutes)

The Listening sub-test consists of two parts, with 20–28 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 taskSkim 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 25–35 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 taskRead two passages (600–800 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.


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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 180–200 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 www.occupationalenglishtest.org


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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 www.occupationalenglishtest.org

• 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.2

2 This list is for information only – we do not endorse any particular training programme.

TURN OVER

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Item 2

4

Item 1

1 Reason for visit

•

•

2 Previous back injury

•

•

•

•

3 Sporting activities and nature of work

•

•

•

•

•

•

PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY

Hurt back r

ecently

Hurt it befo

re as well

Marker’s use only

This list is for information only – we do not endorse any particular

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Item 18

4

Item 17

4 Circle the best answer. 1 “Functional”testsassesstheeffectof…………ontheheart

A exertion B trauma C drugs

2 DuringanexerciseECG,ischemiawillbesignaledbyadropin…...

A blood pressure B heart rate C ST waves

3 OnedrawbackofexerciseECGsisthattheyare…...

A prohibitively expensive B lacking in precision

C less effective with males 4 Accordingtothespeaker,whenanexerciseECGtestisnegative…...

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 Completethegapsinthesummary.An exercise echocardiogram is a more test.

It monitors the patient’s left ventricular and

before and after exercise on a or . It’s

moreaccurate,withsensitivityandspecificityabove.Itprovidesmore

information about the heart , and

as well as the presence of myocardial

infarctions. An exercise echocardiogram provides complementary information

to

.

Marker’s use only

TURN OVER

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5

Item 19

6

Item 18

4

Item 17An exercise echocardiogram is a more test.

It monitors the patient’s left ventricular and

before and after exercise on a or . It’s . It provides more


as well as the presence of myocardial


.

Marker’s use only

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Item 19

3

3

2002 URTI

2004 dyspepsia

2006 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

Weight loss: 1-2kg

Recent increase in coffee consumption

Takes aspirin occasionally (2-3 times/month); no other NSAIDs

Provisionaldiagnosis:gastro-oesophagealreflux+/-stricture

Plan:

Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required

Writing task:Usingtheinformationinthecasenotes,writealetterofreferralforfurtherinvestigationanddefinitivediagnosistothe

gastroenterologist, Dr Jason Roberts, at Newtown Hospital, 111 High Street, Newtown.

In your answer:• expandtherelevantnotesintocompletesentences

• donotusenoteform• useletterformat

Thebodyofthelettershouldbeapproximately180-200words.

18/6/10

Weight loss: 1-2kg

Recent increase in coffee consumption

Takes aspirin occasionally (2-3 times/month); no other NSAIDs

ProvisionalPlan:

Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required

Writing task:

Writing task:Using the information in the case notes,

gastroenterologist, Dr Jason Roberts, at Newtown Hospital, 111 High Street, Newtown.

In your answer:• expand the relevant notes into complete

• do not use note form• use letter format

The body of the letter should be approximately

TURN OVER

1 Reason for visit

•

•

2 Previous back injury

•

•

•

•

3 Sporting activities and nature of work

•

•

•

•

•

•

PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY

Hurt back r

ecently

Hurt back r

ecently

Hurt it befo

re as well

Item 1

Marker’s use only



to

TURN OVER

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.

TURN OVER

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Notes:

Patient: Anne Hall (Ms)

DOB: 19.9.1965

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

depressio

n(separat

ionfromh

usband);S

SRI–fluox

etine11/1

2

2000 overweight – sought weight reduction


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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

Description of ability

A Very high level of performance

B High level of performance, i.e. able to use English with fluency and accuracy adequate for professional needs

C Good level of performance; however, not acceptable to a range of health and medical councils

D Moderate level of performance: requires improvement

E Low level of performance: requires considerable improvement


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© U

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*01391

44903*Register online today at:

www.occupationalenglishtest.org

Got a question?

Contact us

The OET CentreGPO Box 372Melbourne VIC 3001Australia

Tel: +61 3 9652 0800www.occupationalenglishtest.org/help

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.


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