Title
Psychological Exams for Overseas Work Applicants
Law
Doh Administrative Order No. 2010-0022
Decision Date
Jul 9, 2010
DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0022 establishes standardized policies for psychological examinations of overseas work applicants, mandating that these assessments be conducted only in DOH-accredited medical clinics and ensuring the involvement of qualified psychologists to enhance the mental fitness evaluation process.
overseas workers
labor law
administrative order

Policy intent and program background

  • The Order implements standardized conduct of psychological examinations for overseas work applicants.
  • The Order aligns psychological examination practices with the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 to professionalize the conduct of psychological examination for overseas work applicants.
  • The Order is formulated in response to concerns involving repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) purportedly as an aftermath of psychological and/or psychiatric disorders.
  • The Order reflects DOH actions involving inspections, monitoring, spot-checking, and creation of a technical working group to review psychological test standards for OFWs.

Covered institutions and persons

  • The Order applies to all DOH accredited medical clinics providing psychological services for overseas work applicants.
  • Psychological examinations for overseas work applicants shall be performed only in DOH accredited medical clinics.
  • “Applicant” refers to a person applying for work abroad who is required to undergo Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) prior to deployment.

Key definitions used

  • Accreditation means the formal authorization issued by the DOH to an individual, partnership, corporation, or association to operate a medical facility for overseas workers and seafarers.
  • BHFS means the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services, the regulatory body of the DOH.
  • DOH means the Department of Health.
  • DOH Accredited Medical Clinics means medical facilities for overseas workers and seafarers.
  • Inspection/Monitoring Tool means the checklist utilized by regulatory officers during inspection or monitoring visits to evaluate compliance of DOH accredited medical clinics to minimum standards and requirements in the conduct of psychological examinations.
  • OFW means Overseas Filipino Worker.
  • PEME means the complete medical examination implemented on an applicant as a requirement for screening to determine whether the applicant is physically and mentally fit to work.
  • Psychologist means an individual duly licensed as a professional psychologist in accordance with RA 10029, and the psychologist shall take full responsibility for supervision of psychometrician(s) and their work in the DOH accredited medical clinic as stipulated under Article III Section 3, (c) and (d) of RA 10029.
  • Psychometrician means an individual duly licensed as psychometrician in accordance with RA 10029.
  • Ravenas Progressive Matrices or Purdue Non-Language Test means a non-verbal psychological test measuring a person’s intellectual capability through abstract reasoning.
  • 16 PF Test means the 16 Personality Factors Test, a self-report personality inventory developed by Raymund B. Cattell; the 5th edition of the original test is the version referred to in this Order.
  • Applicant and Psychologist are expressly defined for purposes of applying the Order’s requirements on responsibilities and tests.

Required conduct and standards

  • Every DOH accredited medical clinic shall be organized to provide quality, effective, and efficient psychological services for overseas work applicants.
  • Every DOH accredited medical clinic shall follow documented administrative and technical policies and procedures, including human resources; materials and supplies; documents, records and communication; physical facilities/work environment; and referral for further psychological evaluation to ensure the quality of psychological results.
  • The documented policies and procedures for psychological examination shall be in accordance with the manual of operating procedures being formulated by the DOH through the BHFS.
  • All DOH accredited medical clinics shall follow the standards, criteria, and requirements in the inspection/monitoring tool for accreditation of medical facilities for overseas workers and seafarers.
  • A full time psychologist registered with the BHFS shall take full responsibility for psychological screening and evaluation, including:
    • A minimum battery of psychological tests comprising 16 PF Test (English or Filipino) and Ravenas Progressive Matrices or Purdue Non-Language Test;
    • An autobiography; and
    • A comprehensive interview.
  • Psychological examinations that include any psychological tests added above the minimum requirement shall require personnel qualified and trained to administer, score, interpret, and write reports on the added tests.
  • Enhanced psychological tests shall be provided at no added cost to the applicant.
  • DOH Accredited Medical Clinics shall ensure uninterrupted transmission and reliability of psychological and medical results through an information technology system maintained through a service provider of the clinic’s own choice, with transmission at no cost to DOH and no added cost to the applicant.

Reporting, uploading, and information systems

  • The DOH shall establish an electronic uploading system for submission of standard data of all DOH accredited medical clinics.
  • DOH accredited medical clinics shall submit monthly consolidated electronic and hard copy reports to the BHFS every first week of each succeeding month following the psychological evaluation format posted at the DOH website.
  • DOH accredited medical clinics shall establish and maintain an information technology system to ensure accurate and reliable psychological and medical results for transmission at no cost to DOH.
  • Psychological and medical results established and maintained through the information technology system shall be at no added cost to the applicant.

Change-of-details notification and personnel duties

  • DOH accredited medical clinics shall notify the BHFS in writing within 15 days of any change in personnel, physical facility, and/or any additional psychological test above the minimum requirement.
  • When additional tests are added to the minimum battery, the clinic management shall ensure that personnel have the required qualification and training to administer, score, interpret, and write reports for those additional tests.
  • The psychologist’s responsibility includes supervision of psychometrician(s) and their work in the clinic in accordance with RA 10029.

Validity of test results and PEME issuance

  • Psychological test results shall have to be valid to be issued a PEME certificate.
  • 16 PF Test results are generally valid for 12–18 months upon completion.
  • The validity period for 16 PF Test may be reduced if individuals undergo major and significant changes in their work and/or life circumstances.

Accreditation discipline and possible sanctions

  • The accreditation of medical facilities for overseas workers and seafarers may be revoked, suspended, or modified in full or in part.
  • Accreditation may be revoked, suspended, or modified for:
    • Any false statement by the management and/or staff of the medical facility; or
    • What is shown by the record of inspection or monitoring activities; or
    • Any violation of, or failure to comply with, any terms, conditions, or provisions of the policies, rules, and regulations in this framework.

Violations and penalties reference

  • Any violation of RA 10029, this Order, and/or related issuances by any DOH accredited medical clinic shall be penalized under Section IX Paragraph 2 of AO No. 181, s. 2004.

Relationship to RA 10029 and prior rules

  • The Order is anchored on the professionalization requirement under RA 10029, the “Philippine Psychology Act of 2009,” and it ties psychologist and psychometrician roles to RA 10029 licensing and supervision provisions.
  • The Order is consistent with AO No. 1, s. 2003 on Operational Guidelines in the Conduct of Pre-Employment Medical Examination of Overseas Workers and Seafarers, which requires psychological screening and evaluation as part of PEME.
  • The Order also reflects earlier DOH practice adjustments regarding psychological tests, including advisories under AO No. 2009-0002 (addendum to AO No. 1, s. 2003) regarding the use of the 16 Personality Factors Test in certain circumstances.

Repeal, separability, and continuing validity

  • Provisions from previous issuances inconsistent with or contrary to this Order are rescinded and modified accordingly.
  • If any provision or part of the Order is declared unauthorized or invalid by any court of law or competent authority, the provisions not affected by such declaration remain valid and effective.

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