15/11/2018
The Occupational English Test (OET) is now recognised by Irish multi-profession health regulator CORU, giving a wide range of overseas-trained healthcare professionals the opportunity to sit OET to prove English language proficiency to work in Ireland. CORU has registers open for the following healthcare professions:
- Dietitians
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Radiographers and Radiation Therapists
- Social Workers
- Speech and Language Therapists / Speech Therapists
- Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians
CORU’s role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.
“I am delighted that all of the registration boards (for the professions where the test is available) have agreed to accept OET to demonstrate linguistic competence. Good communication is essential in all of our professions,” said Ginny Hanrahan, CEO/ Registrar at CORU.
OET is an international English language test that assesses the language skills of healthcare professionals seeking to register and practice in an English-speaking environment. OET is recognised by healthcare regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai, Namibia and Ukraine for registration purposes, as well as for immigration and visas in Australia and New Zealand. The test is also accepted by healthcare educators for admission and exit assessment of English language skills.
OET CEO Sujata Stead said: “We commend CORU for their commitment to the health and social care sector in Ireland. OET is already recognised by Ireland’s Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the Dental Council of Ireland so we are pleased to now be able to offer the test to additional healthcare professionals.”
“Unlike other English tests, OET test materials are based on real healthcare scenarios so educators and employers can be confident that successful candidates have the level of English communication skills required for safe and high-quality patient care,” she concluded. CORU will accept OET results for the following registration boards: Dietitians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Optical, Radiographers, and Speech & Language Therapists.
The grades required vary by profession and may be viewed here.