|
Admission
Enquires |
| Q1: |
What are the functions of the Admissions Committee? |
| A: |
The Admissions Committee was formed in May 1985 to
- screen applications for SPA membership to ensure that only physiotherapists with recognized qualifications are admitted into the SPA. Review and advise the SPA Council on the admission criteria for membership.
- provide information for prospective employers regarding the eligibility of potential applicants to gain membership into the Association, based on their academic qualifications and clinical experience.
- conduct Safety and Professional Ethics Test for invited overseas-trained potential members. |
| Q2: |
I am an overseas-trained Physiotherapist; do I have to sit for the Safety and Professional Ethics Test in order to be a SPA member? |
| A:
|
Overseas- trained Physiotherapists with recognized qualifications are not required to sit for the Safety and Professional Ethics Test.
Graduates without the recognized qualifications will be required to have their curriculum evaluated. This helps to determine if they qualify to sit for the Safety and Professional Ethics Test. Please refer to the flowchart below in question 10.
You may write to the Admissions Committee at spa_admission@yahoo.com.sg to find out if you have the recognized qualification. |
| Q3: |
What is the purpose of the Safety and Professional Ethics Test? |
| A: |
The Safety and Professional Ethics Programme was developed by the Admissions Committee to introduce basic knowledge on patient/client safety and professional healthcare issues faced by physiotherapists practising in Singapore.
Important issues covered in this programme are:
• Environmental Health Safety Issues
• Infection Control
• Fire Safety
• Falls Precaution
• Medico-Legal Issues
• Ethical Issues
This programme is another milestone for our profession as we are continually seeking to keep pace with development in the Physiotherapy profession and the needs of the community in Singapore.
|
| Q4:
|
I am a non-Singaporean who was trained overseas. Does being an SPA member automatically qualify me to work in Singapore? |
| A:
|
Being an SPA member would help you to be in a better position to gain an offer of employment. It does not automatically qualify you to work in Singapore.
To work in Singapore, you are required to be offered employment. Your employer would have to make a work pass application to the Ministry of Manpower.
Following evaluation, the Ministry will advise you on the outcome and inform you if you have to sit for a Qualifying Examination. Applications for the Qualifying Examination will have to be made directly to Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Health Science at least one month before the date of examinations. For information on the Qualifying Examination, please refer to the following website: http://www.hpp.moh.gov.sg/HPP/1153711459530.html
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| Q5:
|
Is the Qualifying Examination similar to the SPA’s Safety and Professional Ethics Test? |
| A:
|
No, the SPA’s Safety and Professional Ethics Test is for the application for SPA membership. The Qualifying Examination is required for working in Singapore.
The content for the SPA’s Safety and Professional Ethics Test is different from the content in the Qualifying Examination. Both are independent of each other.
|
| Q6:
|
What are the membership perks? |
| A:
|
Please refer to the following web link:
fhttp://physiotherapy.org.sg/latest_news/updates/Membership_benefits_updated_20_Mar.pdf |
| Q7:
|
What are the fees involved? |
| A:
|
A cheque for S$40 administrative fee and S$200 evaluation/ membership fee is to accompany all applications. All cheques are to be made payable to “Singapore Physiotherapy Association”.
Applications will only be processed on the day payment is received.
For NYP graduates, the administrative fee will be waived if applicants have been SPA student members for 2 consecutive years and the application is received within 1 month after their graduation.
For overseas-trained graduates, the S$200 fee will be used for evaluation. In the event that an evaluation is not necessary, this S$200 would be used directly as the membership fee. If the applicant is successful with the evaluation conducted and pass the Safety and Professional Ethics Test, he/she will need to submit a further S$200 as membership fee.
|
| Q8:
|
What documents do I need to attach to my SPA application form? |
| A:
|
NYP Graduates:
Nanyang Polytechnic graduates only need to submit a certified true copy of their Diploma Certificate.
Overseas-qualified Graduates:
Overseas-qualified physiotherapists are required to meet a set of criteria in order to practice in Singapore.
These applicants need to send in Certified-True Copies* of the following documents when applying:
• Entry-level curriculum with the details of subjects studied and the breakdown of hours for each subject, including clinical practice.
• Degree/Diploma Certificates
• Certification of work/professional experiences as a physiotherapist (if applicable). This can be in the form of letters from past employment / resumes of professional practice as a physiotherapist.
• Marriage Certification (for Spouse Membership).
• All applicants must have either:
1. Full membership of the recognised physiotherapy association in country of training.
2. A valid license to practise in country of training.
• Passport showing personal details and photograph (for foreign applicants). Please do not print the entire passport.
• Please provide an official translation into English of all documents that are not in English.
*Persons who may certify documents include Justices of Peace (JP), notary public, legal practitioners, and admission officers of your University and people of good standing. Certified translation in English of all documents must be provided.
Please ensure that you have included your fees and Certified True Copies of the above documentation with your application.
Incomplete or unclear submissions will result in delay or rejection of your application. |
| Q9:
|
I am an overseas-qualified physiotherapist; do I need to have a certain number of years of professional experience before I can apply for SPA membership? |
| A:
|
This is not essential for application of SPA membership. |
| Q10: |
Do I need to pay the S$200 evaluation fee when I apply for membership? |
| A: |
With some exception, applications from overseas-qualified physiotherapists need further assessment by the Admissions Committee. In this case, the S$200 will be used as evaluation fee. Please refer to the following flow chart.
|
| Q11:
|
How long does it take for my membership application to be processed? |
| A:
|
If your application does not need further evaluation by the Admissions Committee, it will be processed within 3 to 4 weeks.
If it requires further assessment, it will take at least 2 months to be processed.
You will be informed via email that your application has been received and whether it needs further assessment. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you to ask for additional details.
Please be aware that incomplete documentation often leads to further delays in the application process. Therefore, please ensure that you complete all information and send all the required documents with your application to avoid unnecessary delay |
| Q12:
|
Is the payment refundable? |
| A:
|
$40 is not refundable once the application has been sent to us. $200 is not refundable once your application has been further evaluated by the Admissions Committee. |
| Q13:
|
How often is the Safety and Professional Ethics Test held? |
| A:
|
It will be held 2-4 times a year. |
| Q14:
|
How do I prepare for the Safety and Professional Ethics Test? |
| A:
|
An e-book will be sent to you once we received the payment for the Safety and Professional Ethics Test. All answers in the Test will be found in the e-book |
| Q15:
|
What is the passing rate of the Safety and Professional Ethics Test? |
| A:
|
The passing mark is 80% |
| Q16:
|
How can I go about seeking employment as a physiotherapist in Singapore? |
| A:
|
Job vacancies are advertised on our website, newsletters and our national newspapers. You can also make direct enquiries with the various hospitals and institutions in Singapore. The contact details of hospitals in Singapore can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health at http://www.moh.gov.sg |
| Q17:
|
Who can I contact for further enquiries on admission? |
| A:
|
You can contact the Admissions Committee at spa_admission@yahoo.com.sg |
General
Membership Enquiries |
| Q: |
How do I go about applying for membership to SPA? |
| |
Download
the latest Acrobat Reader here!
 |
| A: |
Send
your membership application form together with the
necessary documents and fees to: Singapore Physiotherapy
Association, Tanglin PO Box, 442 Singapore 912415.
Please do not send by registered mail. Membership
application forms are available through the following
means:
-
Your
may download and print a copy of the application
form (Click
here to view print application form)
-
On
the back page of the Physiotherapy Singapore (SPA's
official journal)
-
Alternatively,
you may request a copy of the membership application
form by sending a self-addressed envelope to "Singapore
Physiotherapy Association, Tanglin PO Box, 442
Singapore 912415"
-
Email
to spa_admission@yahoo.com.sg
or spa_membership@yahoo.com
|
| Q: |
: What documents do I need to attach to my application
form? |
| A: |
|
Honorary Membership |
Ordinary
members, who in the opinion of the Council, have
rendered meritorius service to the physiotherapy
profession or to the Association. |
| Fellow
Membership |
Ordinary
members, in the opinion of the Council, have made
important contributions to the advancement of
the knowledge and teaching of Physiotherapy. |
| Life
Membership |
Ordinary
Member who has been in continuous membership for
at least twenty years. |
| Ordinary
Membership |
Persons
possessing a qualification in Physiotherapy, which
is recognised as being of an adequate standard
by the Admissions Committee. |
| Spouse
Membership |
Spouse
of a current member of the Association, possessing
a qualification in Physiotherapy, which is recognised
as being of an adequate standard by the Admissions
Committee. |
| Student Membership |
Students
from the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Health
Sciences. |
| Postgraduate-Student
Membership |
Ordinary
Member who is doing a postgraduate degree locally
or overseas as a full-time student. |
|
| Q: |
How much do I have to pay for SPA Membership for each
category? |
| A: |
An
entrance fee of $40.00 shall apply for persons who
are applying for membership for the first time except
for student members.
(*entrance fees applicable)
| Ordinary
Membership |
*S$100.00 per year |
| Spouse
Membership |
*S$50.00 per year |
| Student
(NYP) Membership |
S$50.00
for one year /
S$100.00 for three years |
| Postgraduate-Student
Membership |
*S$50.00 per year |
|
| Q: |
When do I renew my SPA membership? |
| A: |
There is only one membership term of 2-years duration: from July of the year to June of the year 2-years later. Thus, for renewal and application of membership between 1 Apr to 30 Sep (effective date of membership is 1 Jul), subscription fee of 2 years will be applicable so that renewal of next term of membership will be in July 2 years later. For renewal and application of membership between 1 Oct to 31 Mar (effective date of membership is 1 Jan), subscription fee of 1.5 years will be applicable so that renewal of next term of membership will be in July the next year. All membership applications will be accepted and processed throughout the year. |
| Q: |
I
have lost my SPA card. What can I do about it? |
| A: |
Inform
the Membership Committee about the loss of your SPA
card either in writing or email (spa_membership@yahoo.com).
A sum of $5 will be imposed for processing for the replacement
of lost membership card. |
| Q: |
I
will be leaving Singapore for good. How do I go about
terminating my SPA membership? |
| A: |
Please
inform the Association in writing or email the membership
committee (spa_membership@yahoo.com)
that you will be terminating your membership. No refund
will be given for termination of membership. |
| Q: |
Who
can I contact to update my particulars (mailing address,
email etc)? |
| A: |
Membership
Committee at: spa_membership@yahoo.com
or in writing to the Singapore Physiotherapy Association
(Membership Committee), Tanglin P.O.
Box 442 Singapore 912415.
(Attention: Membership Committee) |
| Q: |
I
would like to clarify something with regard to my SPA
membership. Who should I contact? |
| A: |
For
any enquiries/queries please do not hesitate to e-mail
us at: spa_membership@yahoo.com |
