Clinical Assessment in Melbourne: Your Complete Survival Guide

The Clinical Assessment is where it gets real. You'll be treating simulated patients while assessors watch your every move. No pressure, right?

Having helped many candidates prepare for this, here's what you actually need to know.

Where and When

All Clinical Assessments happen at the APC Simulation Lab:

Level 4, 302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122

It's in Melbourne's inner east. If you're flying in from interstate or overseas, factor in travel time and jet lag. Don't book a flight that lands at 6am and expect to perform well at 9am.

What You're Being Assessed On

There are three compulsory components, and you need to pass all three:

1. Musculoskeletal
2. Neurological
3. Cardiorespiratory

Each one follows a similar format: you'll assess a simulated patient (professional actor), identify the problem, develop a treatment plan, and demonstrate your treatment approach.

What the Assessors Want to See

Clinical Reasoning Out Loud

This is huge. The assessors can't read your mind. If you're thinking "this could be a rotator cuff issue based on the painful arc and weakness in abduction," SAY IT. Talk through your reasoning. They want to see how you think, not just what you do.

Systematic Approach

Don't jump straight to the shoulder because the patient mentioned shoulder pain. Take a proper history. Screen the cervical spine. Check for red flags. Demonstrate that you have a systematic approach.

Communication Skills

You're being assessed on how you interact with patients, not just your clinical skills. Explain what you're doing. Ask for consent before touching. Check pain levels. Use patient-friendly language.

Safe Practice

This is non-negotiable. If you do something unsafe – like failing to screen for contraindications or using excessive force – that's an immediate concern. Safety first, always.

The Three Stations

Musculoskeletal

Expect conditions like:

• Shoulder impingement or rotator cuff pathology
• Low back pain (mechanical or with radicular symptoms)
• Knee OA or post-surgical knee
• Ankle sprains

You'll need to do a focused assessment, identify the problem, and show treatment techniques. Manual therapy skills matter here, but so does exercise prescription.

Neurological

Common scenarios include:

• Stroke patient (usually middle cerebral artery territory)
• Parkinson's disease
• Balance disorders
• Sometimes paediatric cases

The focus is on functional assessment – sitting balance, transfers, gait analysis. You need to be able to adapt your communication for patients with cognitive or speech difficulties.

Cardiorespiratory

This is where many candidates struggle if their background is primarily musculoskeletal. Expect:

• Post-operative respiratory care
• ICU scenarios (even if simulated)
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Chronic respiratory conditions

You need to demonstrate chest auscultation, breathing exercises, positioning, and understanding of medical monitoring (oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate).

Common Mistakes

1. Not Reading the Brief

Before each station, you get a written brief about the patient. READ IT CAREFULLY. It contains information you need. Candidates sometimes panic and rush in without properly processing the brief.

2. Skipping the Subjective Assessment

Yes, time is limited. No, that's not a reason to skip taking a proper history. The assessors want to see you can gather information efficiently, not that you can guess diagnoses.

3. Forgetting to Explain

You're treating actors, but treat them like real patients. Explain what you're doing. Gain consent. Check if techniques are comfortable. Communication is being assessed.

4. Running Out of Time

Each station has a time limit. Practice working within it. You don't need to demonstrate every technique you know – you need to demonstrate the RIGHT techniques efficiently.

Practical Prep Tips

Practice on Real People – Not just reading about assessment techniques. Actually practice. Get friends or family to role-play patients.

Film Yourself – Watch your own clinical practice. You'll notice habits you didn't know you had.

Know Your Equipment – The simulation lab has specific equipment. Check the Equipment List on the APC website and familiarise yourself with anything unfamiliar.

Get Your Insurance Sorted – You need $5 million professional indemnity insurance. Don't leave this until the last minute.

The Night Before

You'll probably be nervous. That's normal. Have a good meal, get to bed at a reasonable hour, and trust your preparation. Hundreds of candidates pass this every year. With proper preparation, you can too.

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Our Clinical Assessment prep program includes video demonstrations, practice scenarios, and feedback from experienced physiotherapy educators.