DIPLOMA IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
RATIONALE
This qualification is designed to produce a mid – level health care worker who is able to provide emergency care services primarily within South Africa, in contexts that range from rural disadvantaged communities to sophisticated, highly developed urban areas. In addition, this qualification aims to produce a competent mid – level health care worker who will take cognizance of South African history and be able to adapt to the unique circumstances of a changing South Africa with emphasis on equity in health care and reduction in the burden of disease. The qualification also provides the necessary foundational knowledge, skills and insights needed to form a platform for further study in the field of Emergency Care. The qualification is thus designed to enable learners to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning.
Title: Diploma in Emergency Medical Care Course
Level: NQF Level 6
Duration: 2 years
Fees: – R58 120 (1st Year)
– R54 011 (2nd Year)
Benefit to individual holders of the qualification:
This qualification provides an entry point for persons wishing to embark on a career in the emergency care profession. The qualification also serves as a vehicle for self – development of persons already working in the emergency services sector who wish to improve their qualifications as well as those who may not hold National Qualifications Framework (NQF) aligned qualifications. The qualification provides for holistic development of individuals whilst providing them with the competencies required to functioning independently and as a member of the emergency care team.
Benefit to the profession:
This qualification is of benefit to the emergency and health care profession in that it:
- Provides a consistent and coherent foundation for evidence-based practice at a mid-level worker level and allows for progression within the emergency care profession in the context of the national qualifications framework.
- Provides a means for the critical function of formal certification and registration within the profession, thus ensuring society is served by competent professionals registered as ANTs.
- Provides a comparable benchmark within the health professions.
- Will lead to a reduction in the burden on other health structures and practitioners.
- Will lead to a reduction in the number of disciplinary occurrences that take place due to inadequate, inappropriate training.
- Will promote emergency care as a recognized and preferred career option.
- Will enhance the societal image of the profession through improved quality of emergency care services.
Benefit to society: The key benefits to society are:
- Patients are served by competent ANTs, thus increasing their chances of survival and recovery.
- The country will be served by a broad reserve of competent individuals.
- Given South Africa’s role as one of developing nations, this qualification will provide a benchmark for the continent.
BROAD CURRICULUM / SYLLABUS, MINIMUM PERIOD
Students are required to achieve all the credits for both the fundamental and core components of the qualification for a minimum period of two academic years.
The Components of The Qualification Include:
First & Second year subjects:
- Foundations of Professional Practice
- Mental Health and Wellness
- Computer Literacy
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Emergency Medical Care
- Clinical Practice
- Medical Rescue
- Primary Health Care.
There are no electives in this qualification. The 2400 notional hours of this qualification will include both theoretical and clinical competencies as required by the HPCSA, Professional Board for Emergency Care. A minimum of 240 credits is required to obtain this qualification. Diploma in Emergency Medical Care is an NQF 6 Qualification
WHERE AND HOW LEARNING TAKES PLACE
Learning will take place in the classroom environment, in practical laboratories and in the authentic work environment through a variety of andragogy learning methods.
WHERE AND HOW ASSESSMENT TAKES PLACE
Integrated assessment strategies across related modules and critical cross-field outcomes are applied and assessed in the classroom, practical venues and in the authentic environment. Integrated assessment takes the form of an appropriate variety of assessment methods, for example: written and oral examinations, problem solving assignments, project
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Clinical Practice is a core module that involves supervised clinical learning shifts, theory, and practice on real patients predominantly within the pre-hospital environments. The module is intended to provide the learner with an opportunity to experience authentic learning experiences and to establish a nexus between theory and practice. Students are required to complete a number of clinical hours, and skills and see a number of patients in order to progress or be found competent. By the end of the module, students should be able to function confidently and professionally in the areas of patient assessment and management relevant to their year of study.
Lebone College of Emergency Care (LCOEC) is currently in partnership with Sefako Makgatho Health Science University and uses relevant clinical partners to place students for clinical learning shifts.
DIPLOMA IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE REQUIREMENTS:
2-Year Programme
Upon completion of the programme, students will register as Paramedics with the Health Professional Council of South Africa HPCSA. The programme integrates Emergency Medical Care and Medical Rescue skills for optimal care of the injured and the sick.
Entry Requirements
The applicants with a Senior Certificate (prior to 2009) with University exemption of its equivalent (NQF Level4) as determined with an M-Score of 10 and at least a minimum of an E symbol on Higher Grade or a D symbol on Standard Grade pass for all of the following subjects:
English
Mathematics
English
Biology/ Physiology Physical Science
OR
The applicant with a National Senior Certificate with a Diploma endorsement must have the following subjects and rating codes:
English Home Language (3)
English First Additional Language (4)
Mathematics (3)
Life Sciences (3)
Physical Sciences (3)
Additional Subject 1 (3)
Additional Subject 2 (3)
The applicant must have a minimum of 19 points excluding Life Orientation
AND
The applicants must pass the medical and physical fitness evaluations as part of the admission process.
For more information contact:
Tel: 012 521 4024/ wisdom.ndlovu@smu.ac.za
Tel: 012 356 8000/ leboneenquiries@gauteng.gov.za
NB:RPL candidates may apply pending SMU RPL policy approval