Bridging healthcare with the power of language: OET spotlights Filipino healthcare workers

In the face of global healthcare staff shortages, exacerbated by aging populations and escalating demands, the need for not just skilled, but highly competent medical professionals who can deliver safe and effective care has never been more urgent.

In a healthcare environment, effective communication could literally be a matter of life and death. As a result, strong and certified English communication skills are not just crucial, but a universal expectation of every healthcare service provider worldwide. 

Leading English test provider OET launches key partnerships in the Philippines to elevate healthcare outcomes through effective communications. In photo from left to right: Krizelle Kilicaslan, Regional Manager, OET, Sujata Stead, Chief Executive Officer, OET, Arnell Ignacio, OWWA Administrator, and Tom Keenan, Regional Director – APAC, OET.

However, attaining the necessary English skills required for global employability can be challenging. Local healthcare workers need to undergo rigorous training and preparation to be equipped with the mental acuity and test skills to take high-stakes language tests. The lack of access to effective medical English training tailored to their needs limits the opportunities available and leads to lower-than-expected salaries for thousands of Filipino healthcare professionals.

The OET Test, an English test designed to mirror the language used in healthcare workplaces, was introduced over 30 years ago for this very reason – to provide robust training, development, and assessment of the English communication skills that healthcare professionals need to excel in the global healthcare stage. 

As the provider of the leading English language test designed specifically for healthcare, OET was established in 2013 and has since set the global benchmark for workplace medical English. The company has equipped hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals across more than 100 countries with world-class language expertise aligned to international standards.

The OET Test assesses healthcare professionals in reading, writing, listening, and speaking using real workplace scenarios and healthcare terminology. These results accurately reflect an individual’s ability to communicate in an English-speaking healthcare setting, offering medical workers boundless options for practice and competency here or abroad. 

At the recent launch of OET’s partnerships with healthcare organizations in the country, themed: ‘Advancing Healthcare Communication in the Philippines: OET’s Role in Enabling Collaboration,’ company leaders underscored its mission to empower healthcare professionals. They spoke to OET’s latest collaborations with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Dr. Carl Balita Group of Companies, and a number of Philippine universities aiming to equip Filipino healthcare workers with world-class language skills and extended career opportunities abroad. 

“At OET, our goal is to enable healthcare professionals to have the English language and communication abilities required to provide exceptional and safe care wherever they choose to work.” said Sujata Stead, CEO of OET.

“We are honored to collaborate with outstanding local partners to support Filipino healthcare workers in furthering their careers while advancing healthcare access and outcomes across the Philippines,” she added.

The partnerships are poised to launch various initiatives that will improve Filipino medical professionals’ English proficiency, allowing them to confidently use English in healthcare settings and prepare for licensure examinations. Future CPD-accredited seminars on OET’s expert-developed English language learning at minimal to no cost are also on the horizon, aiming to elevate the English communication competency of healthcare service providers.

“Through our partnerships with local medical organizations, we’re delivering healthcare workers the tools to connect with patients, understand their needs, and provide care that transcends cultural barriers. It’s about empowering our Filipino healthcare professionals with the confidence to thrive in any environment. This is what drives us at OET – turning language proficiency into a bridge for better healthcare.” said Krizelle Kilicaslan, Regional Manager at OET. 

May Parsons (right), renowned Filipino nurse and OET Global Ambassador and Sujata Stead (left), CEO of OET, provider of the leading English test for healthcare, present at OET’s partnership launch in the Philippines.

At the event, OET also named May Parsons, the Filipina nurse who administered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, as the company’s global ambassador. For OET, this strategic partnership signifies a crucial step toward enabling Philippine nurses, physical therapists, and other medical professionals to access internationally recognized training development and English proficiency certifications.

“Ensuring patient safety and delivering quality care means healthcare workers must have an excellent command of medical English, whether working locally or abroad. I’m excited to team up with OET to help advance career opportunities for fellow Filipino healthcare professionals,” said May Parsons, global ambassador for OET.

This collaboration is expected to inspire thousands of Filipino healthcare workers to realize their full potential in local and global healthcare settings. 

By setting the global benchmark for workplace medical English, OET aims to empower Filipino talent and connect opportunities abroad while elevating the quality of healthcare in the Philippines. 

If you are a Filipino nurse or healthcare provider interested in advancing your career and enhancing communication skills, you are invited to join the OET fairs. Learn how OET can help elevate your career and hear expert advice from OET partners May Parsons and the Dr. Carl Balita Review Centre.

Events are held across Luzon:

• Manila –  December 2, (1:00 PM-5:00 PM), Philippine Nurses Association Inc.
• Quezon City – December 3, (9:30 AM-12:00 PM), Trinity University of Asia
• Pampanga – December 4, (9:30 AM-12:00 PM), University of the Assumption Domus Mariae

Join the OET fairs to get a chance to win a free OET Test! Click here to register.

ADVT.