Singapore rolls out accelerated course for allied health professionals

It targets mid-career professionals.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched an accelerated programme for mid-career professionals who wish to become physiotherapists and join the growing healthcare sector.

The new Professional Conversion Programme for Physiotherapists (Accelerated) (PCP-PT (Acc)) is targeted at mid-career locals with a prior degree qualification in a science-related field.

The accelerated Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physiotherapy programme will be offered by the Singapore Institute of Technology starting September 2019, which is available to mid-career switchers under the PCP.

With a programme duration of less than three years, this allows the trainees to complete their training in a shorter period of time compared to the current four-year PCP-PT which is also offered by SIT. Course fees will be fully sponsored and trainees will receive training allowances throughout the duration of training.

The new physiotherapy programme is part of the Healthcare Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs). Other programmes offered include the following professions: Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, and Diagnostic Radiographer. The courses are offered in collaboration with Workforce Singapore (WSG).

Since 2003, close to 1,500 mid-career locals have participated in the Healthcare PCPs, of whom around 1,200 were in Nursing and close to 300 were in Allied Health Professions (AHPs).