NZ application

[laura fidler]

hey guys.

i'm a qualified physio who's been working for approx 18 months. looking to go to NZ next year and have just printed off all the info and nearly fainted! dont know where to even begin!:

could any of you kind souls please lend kind words of advice or examples of what to do before i go off the idea all together??!!!!

many thanks

laura

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[charlize29]

Hi Laura,

I have printed out the same thing but looking at the competency charts I felt like giving up..i dont really have any idea on how to start with the portfolio...the CV i have no problem with it but how do I begin???? Help us!!!

Regards,
Charlize29

[laura fidler]

glad someone else feels as disheartened as me! had heard rumours it was a nightmare but never realised it would be as bad as this!!! boo! where do you work?

laura

[charlize29]

hi Laura,

I just hope that somebody would be kind enough to help us. By the way, I am working here in Malaysia for over 3 years & previously in Singapore for 2 years. Now and am planning to go to either New Zealand or Australia before my work pass expires....

Take care!!!

Regards,

Charlize29

[oscar]

Hey, sorry to put a downer on this but you won't find any example 'portfolio's' of competancies on the net, basically the NZ gives no guidance on how to prove your learning, simply that you must show them If you are lucky you may find someone who has done thier own and is willing to show you some of thiers but don't count on it as it's a lot of work!

Your best bet is contacting a NZ agency/employer and asking if they have examples, I'm sure they do but getting it out of them might be tough!!

I guess your degree should cover most of the competancies but you'll obviously need to go through them one by one and prove every bit with referenced examples etc....

good luck

[charlize29]

Hi Oscar,

I was actually looking for physios who applied and have been accredited by the New Zealand Registration Boards. to work in New Zealand.

Regards,
Charlize29

[spud1976]

It can take several months to do, just finished my application. The main info i used was my university syllabus, dissertation, IPR/KSF, letters from my work. You basically have to prove you meet the competency i found this link helpful http://www.physioboard.org.nz/docs/r...quirements.pdf its a lot of work. Also you need 4 yr degree or 3 yr with post degree experience.

Hope this helps

Paul

[mathew.nixon]

It can take several months to do, just finished my application. The main info i used was my university syllabus, dissertation, IPR/KSF, letters from my work. You basically have to prove you meet the competency i found this link helpful http://www.physioboard.org.nz/docs/r...quirements.pdf its a lot of work. Also you need 4 yr degree or 3 yr with post degree experience.

Hope this helps

Paul

hi paul, (and all trying to get your around the NZ portfolio!!)

Im mat from hull, also trying to register in NZ, obviously a load of work is involved, my thoughts were to write a detailed CV on all my junior and senior roations ie roles, reponsibilities inservices attended performed audits etc and then refer back to this as well as uni syllabus, dissertation, IPR/KSF stuff too, because other wise you could be repeating yourself for every section!!!

does this sound similar to what you did or do you think im barkin up the wrong tree???

any pointers would be most appreciated.

regards mat

[spud1976]

Hi
Part of the application you have to write a CV, you are told what to write and what to put in it, i would suggest you stick to everything they ask. You can reference your CV throughout the application eg work experience and courses

Hope this helps

Paul

[vmacbean]

Hi there all of you struggling with NZ applications! I am a British-trained physio and have now been working in NZ for over 2 years. Although it's a while since I did the application, the trauma is still fresh in my mind!

I think Matt from Hull is on the right track - that's pretty much what I did. I sent job descriptions from all my posts (and I think all the KSF stuff that has come in is probably really helpful with that), uni transcript, all my objectives/appraisals, dissertation, all the In-Services I had ever presented, reflective statements (they love those over here), and I think I did some hypothetical clinical notes too. If you then write a summary for each comptency to explain how you have shown these skills, and refer to any applicable document. It will add up to a huge amount of paperwork - I sent at least 400 pages in total, and Brits I work with here sent up to700 I think.

Also bear in mind that you have to get every single thing you send them certified if it's not an original - and that means everything. This costs quite a lot of money if you don't have a friend who's a solicitor or similar - I would advise arranging a set fee to get the whole lot done before you arrive at the office, as otherwise they may charge you per document.

Also bear in mind that it may take a lot longer than you planned for them to process it - mine took 8 months start to finish, mainly because they lost the same letter twice, and so I had to get it re-sent. Although they tell you to get letters of recommendation sent separately, I would collect them yourself and send them with the application.

There's no two ways about it - it is a huge amount of work to do, but I love working over here so it was definitely worth it. It's not worth starting on just in case you might want to work here, and certainly not worth doing if you want a working holiday as a physio (you might end up leaving the country before your registration comes through!), but if you're serious about NZ then just bite the bullet and get it done! From what I've heard, most British physios do get registered, as long as you do everything they ask. It's other nationalities that have more problems - Indian, Philipino etc.

Good luck - and keep looking at pretty pictures of NZ landscapes to keep the motivation levels high! Cheers, Vicky.

[emad]

Yes , right they grant registration easly to British applicants , other Non first-English speakers are really struggling with NZ , even they put a criteria for English test IELTS 7.5 which is impossible for the British or NZ cirizens to score in IELTS test , Sometimes it is not reasonable to put such English criteria for registration .

cheers
Emad

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
well, the criteria for NZ registration are not negotionable. And that's it. We all have to go through the same process. Yes, total easy for Scottish and Irish and easy for British, mainly because their Physio programmes are very similar to the programme over here. However,...
I worked in a large Physio team last year, including non-English-first-language speakers from Sweden, Germany, Zimbabwe, India, Spain and Columbia.
They all got at least 7.5 in their IELTS.
There is training materials, books, tapes etc.. You can sometimes even get them second hand. Or you might need to do a IELTS training course.
I believe, it is quite reasonable to set high standards. But that's just me.
regards,
Fyzzio

[emad]

Hallo Fyzzio :

Within your post , you concluded that is high standard . Usually the basic undergraduate curriculum is the same in case of 4 years training . The real problem is the English communication Standard requried from countries where English is not the native language.

If we give a look at past history we find that in UK ,The score of IELTS 6 was acceptable by some Competent authorities . In Australia , 7 score was acceptable 3 months ago by Physio.Council Authorities and now they get it up to 7 every band of the score .

Meaning if NZ physio.Board has such number of British physio.applications ( if you give a look at the Board letters ) , surely it would get that IELTS score boom( high) . It is just matter of need . If you need you can negotiate . However , I do not believe in negotiation , and I really believe in rights for setting standards , it is just policy of quality .

From other point of view , it is better to be objective in our critical discussion .This reminds me of a discussion with Australian Physiotherapist regarding AECOP examination in Australia overseas physiotherapists , she stated objectively that many Australian-based trained physiotherapists would not pass these exams . In spite of that , I can understand your view .I like NZ system and the Board trends to improve Physiotherapists standard and competency of practice

cheers
Emad

[Fyzzio]

Hi Emad,
interesting discussion.

Usually the basic undergraduate curriculum is the same in case of 4 years training .

I only now the Scottish and Irish degrees as 4 year programmes, which are similar to the programme here. Have also seen a Dutch programme, which differs a little bit and my colleagues Indian programme, which differs a lot! I recently had a conversation with an American physio and their education can consist of 4 years training, but it is, again, completely different to the NZ one.

Meaning if NZ physio.Board has such number of British physio.applications ( if you give a look at the Board letters ) , surely it would get that IELTS score boom( high) .

I don't quite understand what you mean. You don't need to do an IELTS, if English is your first language. So, surely, the PT board won't see that many tests. And I also wouldn't have a clue, as to where they got the "7.5" from.

From other point of view , it is better to be objective in our critical discussion

In case of standards, hmmm.....
Otherwise ... why??? Obviously, that's we are discussing the matter here. People are personally affected negatively by the NZ standards and have problems meeting them. I believe, it's a good forum to voice your very subjective concerns and obviously, a lot of Physios get encouragement from others in the same situation, who were then able to help.
Looking forward to your reply,
cheers,
Fyzzio (who fortunately managed to meet the communication standard)

[emad]

Hi again Fyzzio :

Well , I understand the difference between US Paradigim of practice in relation to OZ ( Australia and NZ ) practice , I see that difference you are talking about in basic curriculum as paradigim , in USA may be electro. and pseduo.practice , in Auastralia it is Manual Therapy.

As for

Meaning if NZ physio.Board has such number of British physio.applications ( if you give a look at the Board letters ) , surely it would get that IELTS score boom( high) .

I meant to see if there were not high number of applications from the UK recieved by the NZ Board , It would change this English communication criteria to get chance from other countries , just simple you need so that you will try to select the best for your needs .

Regarding objectivity , I thought you may agree with my view if a British or New Zealander native Citizen entered IELTS , they will not get the score of 7.5 in Academic IELTS .

Part of being objective , I criticized the Arab Emirates system on this forum regarding physiotherapists´ salaries discrimination gender-based and Nationality-based ...A physiotherapist from Emirates came very angry replied givimg me more evdience of discrimination , we just need to be fair enough to accept negative aspects of our countries´systems

Personally , English is not my first language , I tried so much to get the 7 IELTS score unfortunately I was unlucky with that test , I gave it up then .Now , I am more happy to be in a better country . It is just a matter of luck and chance .

All the best for you
Nice to have new friend from NZ
cheers
Emad

[Physio_Plus]

hai emad, Fyzzio and others:
I am Ram prakash an Indian pt looking for nz reg's . is there any academic tests in physical therapy other than English,if is it so then let me know how to prepare 4 it

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
@ Emad: Right, I get you now. Completely agreed. One of my Indian colleagues did not need to do the IELTS, as she had worked in Britain for 3 years and her referees there, confirmed her English language skills. So, apparently, there is a way around the IELTS, as well. Could you try that way? Just a thought.

@Trendytiger: go to the NZ Physiotherapyboard website. You can download the application booklet with all the information. There is no academic test to do, like for Australian registration, but I don't know, what happens if you fail to meet any of the competencies. Maybe you have to do a test then? Anybody knows the answer to that?

Good luck,
Fuzzio

[physiomitch]

vmacbean

Glad at last to hear from someone who has done it and got there. It is a lot of work, I have been doing it for a year now but that is in between full time running of my practice and so on. Not stressed ...yet! As you are working in NZ maybe you can answer this question. I have heard conflicting info regarding the trans Tasman agreement between NZ and OZ (except WA), do you have to work in NZ first before working in Oz if you get registered for NZ? I realise you need a practicing certificate, but can you get this and still then work in OZ before working in NZ. If not I will do my NZ stint first, then my OZ one.

Thanks

Pete

[Fyzzio]

Hi Pete,
I believe that all you need is the NZ registration certificate and the APC in NZ.
Then you can apply under the TTMR for registration in any Australian state or territory.
Note that Australia is devided into "states", i.e. you have to obtain the Physiotherapy registration for each state that you wish to work in (NSW, Victoria, etc.). Not a problem as such, just extra costs.
Hope this helps,
cheers,
Fyzzio

[physiomitch]

Hi Fyzzio

Thanks for that. I am guessing that once one has received the registraion, one will apply for the APC, pay for it and have the ability to practice in NZ. With that one can then apply to register in Oz. Crickey, sound like a ponsy pom!

Anyway, on with the competencies...

Cheers

[physiomitch]

Hi again

Can anyone give an idea of a reflective statement. Obviously it is a summary of a situation or experience we have done, but is there a specific layout, do we have to sign and date it? It seems a way to write and exaggerate something, but how do we prove this actually happened? Do we get someone to verify the reflective statement?

Ta

[Fyzzio]

I am guessing that once one has received the registraion, one will apply for the APC, pay for it and have the ability to practice in NZ. With that one can then apply to register in Oz.

You got it! And then there is immigration....

Do we get someone to verify the reflective statement?

The format doesn't seem to matter. Are you member of CSP? They've got good templates. Generally, I think a reflective statement (do you mean the portfolio reflection?) is your own reflection, so doesn't need to be verified or read by anyone. But it needs to be backed up by evidence. I used to work with a British Physio, who talked about her application package. She did get everything signed off by the lawyer and then verified by her Seniors, i.e. inservice training, attended as well as presented. Her reflections on the IST, as I remember were not verified.
Cheers,
Fyzzio

[physiomitch]

Thanks, as I thought. As you can see from other threads, I have been in private practice for 16 years, and some of us obviously battled a bit for evidence as we could not use our uni curriculum, so it all had to come down to experience in the fields. I have done a course on Cardio-resp lately to update myself and have doen 6 hours of prac/observation at a local hospital to add clout to my competencies. Otherwise I am doing case studies for all the 3 fields, work I have done and case studies from observations/patient notes, and reflective statements. I noted from another thread that one chap had about 400 pages in his portfolio, not sure if I can get that many but will try my best to provide accurate evidence.

Thanks for the help

[physiomitch]

Hi Fyzzio

I have heard it may be a good idea to collect all the "Work History Validation forms" from those I am asking to reference for me, and send them off with my registration pack. Is this a wise move. My concern is I am trying to layout my whole portfolio, and am needing these validations as evidence, but cannot reference something I have not given page numbers to, unless I just put a number on each envelope (I intend to leave them unopened). Did you have seperate references/testimonials from colleagues/advisors/lecturers apart from the validation forms?

Cheers

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
it's been quite a while since I applied for registration. There were no "validation of work history" templates around, as I have seen in the current application package.
So, cannot say how you best refer to the references. Mine were part of my "numbered" system.
BUT: If you leave them unopened, you cannot refer to them - as you don't know what they say. So, why don't you just use them as what they are = validation of employment record.
And as evidence use additional stuff like performance appraisals, feedback on IST sessions that you have given, rotational objectives sign off, ?on-call competencies, training records, peer reviews etc..

? Does this help?
Cheers,
Fyzzio