Tips for Candidates Attempting the Clinical Exam — Part Two of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE)

April 2014

Before the Exam…

  

 

 

Pre-exam Prep

• Preview the Alliance website• Preview the PCE Candidate Video • Go Through the Candidate Registration

Package Registration Letter Entry Certificate — Clinical Component General Information for Candidates Rules of Conduct Reminder to Canadian Graduates Reminder to Candidates — What to Bring

On Exam Day…

During Orientation

• Listen carefully to the orientation.• Ask any questions you may have.

Before Entering the Station

• Carefully read the station instructions. • Use your notebook to write down key

information to remember.• Return your notebook at the end of the

exam. This information will not be marked.

During Approved Break Times

• Use the washroom as you may have to wait.

Once You Have Entered the Station…

Start each station by scanning the room.

• Note the equipment that is or is not provided.

• Note the standardized client’s position and appearance.

• Check your plan in your notebook and adjust it if necessary.

• Locate the station instructions for referral if necessary.

Do what is asked.

• Unless the instructions state otherwise, assume that you have consent.

• Focus on the requested task: it is better to do a few things well than try to do too much and do it poorly.

• There are no trick stations; we want you to do well.

If the examiner tells you to re-read the instructions, ask

yourself…

• Are you working on the wrong side or the wrong body part?

• Are you doing an assessment when you should be treating or treating when you should be assessing?

• Have you missed one or two important words in the instructions?

If you have trouble in a station…

• Do the best you can.• Take a deep breath at the end and leave

the station behind you.

Follow infection control practices.

• Use hand sanitizer before contact with a standardized client.

The written station is worth 50% of your mark for a

couplet station.

• Write legibly.• Erase or cross out answers that you change.• Number your responses.• Spelling does NOT count. • Good written station answers can save a

poor performance in the clinical part of the station.

When Speaking in a Station…

Communication is important.

• Use everyday language when you are in the station.

• If you tend to speak quickly, slow down, pause frequently, and check that the standardized client understands.

• If the instructions say “describe to the examiner…” or “tell the examiner…,” you must say this requested information out loud to get credit.

Explain what you are doing and why.

• Explaining helps you stay focused and

helps the standardized client understand what you want.

• Explaining helps the examiner understand what you are doing.

• When you are observing (e.g. posture or gait), you must say what you are doing.

Interacting Well with the Standardized Client…

Treat the standardized client like a real patient.

• Be sure the standardized client is safe at all times.

• Be sure you treat the standardized client professionally.

Remember

Read

Plan

ScanDemonstrate

Communicate