Therapy Assistant Emplacement Program and Therapy Support Associate Protocolised Training
Training ＆ Education
Workforce Transformation
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
28 November 2025
SCH (SingHealth Community Hospital) aims to address challenges by developing a more comprehensive structured training. This project improved both patient care and overall efficiency of the healthcare system.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 28 November 2025
Tags: Training ＆ Education, Education Platform, Physical Learning Platform, Learning Approach, Team Based Learning, Lifelong Learning, Workforce Transformation, Job Redesign, Upskilling
About this Content
Aims
SCH (SingHealth Community Hospital) aims to address challenges by developing a more comprehensive structured training program for TA (Therapy Assistant) and TSA (Therapy Support Associate), to train them in group therapy, reviewing of caregiver training (CGT) and for TSAs to train patients in a protocolized training program.
Background
In SingHealth Community Hospital, TAs play a vital role in supporting therapists to deliver effective therapeutic services to patients. However, the current structure of three TA job grades imposes constraints on their tasks and responsibilities.
Methods
The project was conducted in SCH Sengkang Community Hospital and Outram Community Hospital from September 2022 to July 2024. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify skills, knowledge, and competency gaps among TAs slated for emplacement and developed training modules and competency assessments aligned with both SCH needs and the NSF (National Skills Framework).
Results
The intervention resulted in successful emplacement of 40 out of 41 staff.
The breakdown shows that 36 out of 37 TAs were successfully emplaced at Job Grade 7 (JG7), while all 4 TAs intended for Job Grade 8 (JG8) were successfully emplaced. This represents 97.6% success rate, underscoring the effectiveness of structured training approach in enhancing skills and capabilities of the TA workforce.
This project has strengthened the TA pipeline, improved quality of patient care, and promoted skills mastery and lifelong learning among TAs.
Conclusion
This project improved both patient care and overall efficiency of the healthcare system. It enabled SCH to meet the national standard of TAs, enhancing their capabilities and improving the clinical quality of care.
The SCH TA workgroup is currently collaborating with the SCH Office of Learning (SCHOOL) to expand the program's reach to other healthcare organisations.
Lessons Learnt
TAs provided valuable feedback for future iterations of the program - suggested having early access to self-learning modules to benefit subsequent cohorts.
Keywords
Therapy, Training, Emplacement, Skills, Rehabilitation, Upskilling, Therapy Assistant, Support Associate
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | SingHealth Community Hospitals |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Allied Health, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy |
Project Lead(s) | Lim Yu Shan Trecia |
Project Member(s) | Kissnette Reodique Sacro |
Connect with this contributor!
Lim Yu Shan Trecia - Trecia.lim.y.s@singhealthch.com.sg