Advanced Diploma in Animal Health

Purpose

This qualification is designed to prepare learners for Postgraduate level. It is primarily vocational, with a strong industry-oriented focus. The qualification also serves to provide learners with the advanced knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for higher education in Animal Health. It may provide intellectual enrichment, enhance flexibility in the light of changing circumstances in the field of Animal Health, enable a change in career path or offer an intensive, focused and applied specialisation which meets the requirements in the labour market of the animal health industry. The graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Animal Health will have a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in an area of specialisation. It is therefore particularly suitable for continuing professional development. The Advanced Diploma in Animal Health may also provide entry-level professional preparation or specialisation for graduates of a related Bachelor's Degree.

Completion of the Advanced Diploma in Animal Health or accumulated credits may be presented for entry into a related cognate Bachelor's Degree.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma in Animal Health offers the opportunity to learners holding a Diploma in Animal Health or related relevant qualification to specialise and further their education in the field of Animal Health. This specialisation will enable graduates to meet the requirements of a very specific niche within the labour market in the field of animal and veterinary public health in Africa. Learners will achieve a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in their specific area of animal health and veterinary public health. The qualification is therefore particularly suitable for continuing professional development which is required for graduates by the South African Veterinary Council as the regulatory body for Animal Health Technicians.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition may be granted for non-formal prior experiential learning. The RPL process will be conducted according to institution's RPL Policy and may involve the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, challenge examinations, and interviews with assessment panels.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• Diploma in Animal Health, Level 6.

Or

• National Diploma in a related field, Level 6.

Or

• An appropriate qualification at Level 6.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7, totalling 120 Credits.

• Epidemiology 4,12 Credits.
• Veterinary Public Health 4,12 Credits.
• Animal Diseases 4: Non-Controlled, 12 Credits.
• Animal Diseases 4: Controlled animal diseases, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural and Rural Development,12 Credits.
• Agricultural Project Analysis, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Animal Health Care, 12 Credits.
• Participatory Approaches in Extension, 12 Credits.

1. Apply strategies for disease control and prevention.
2. Use epidemiological information to manage risk.
3. Apply epidemiological information as a tool in quality assurance systems.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts and definitions of Veterinary Public Health.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the role of the integrated food-chain approach, HACCP and auditing to production of safe food.
6. Execute the role of the veterinary public health Animal Health Technician's (AHT) in the field.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of diseases and the general disease process associated with each one.
8. Distinguish between controlled and non-controlled diseases and the management of each of these groups of diseases.
9. Identify the steps involved in a non-controlled disease, and apply the steps to a given scenario.
10. Recommend appropriate treatment measures for given non-controlled diseases.
11. Recommend appropriate prevention measures for given non-controlled diseases.
12. Advise farmers on the identification, treatment and prevention of non-controlled diseases.
13. Distinguish between the main different types of controlled diseases, and sketch the history of occurrence of given controlled diseases in the Southern African and, where relevant, the international context.
14. Demonstrate an understanding of the steps involved in diagnosing a controlled disease, and apply the steps to a given scenario.
15. Select, describe and motivate the procedures to be followed in initiating a disease control campaign following the outbreak of a controlled disease.
16. Draw up an effective plan for managing and co-ordinating the actions involved in a disease control campaign.
17. Advise farmers on the diagnostic methodology used for, and the management and prevention of controlled diseases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Existing epidemiological data on a specific disease are evaluated. Appropriate strategies for the control of a specific disease considering the available data are successfully chosen and applied.
• Eradication programmes for a specific disease based on available epidemiological data on the disease are successfully planned and executed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The concept of risk is defined, its elements are distinguished, and risk is quantified and interpreted.
• Estimates of risk are generated by determining and applying the basic steps for risk assessment, including hazard identification and characterisation, exposure assessment and risk evaluation.
• Strategies for the management or regulation of risk are prepared by describing components and strategies of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment, using an example of an animal or zoonotic disease.
• A risk assessment and control study are critically reviewed.
• Concepts of risk are effectively communicated to individuals and organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The role of quality assurance systems in maintaining animal, human and environmental health is described.
• The health status of human and animal populations is assessed effectively on the basis of given epidemiological information, in a way that will contribute to ensuring the maintenance of a high standard of animal and human health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Veterinary public health (VPH) is correctly defined.
• Different definitions of VPH are discussed and contrasted.
• The 'One Health' and 'Systems' Concepts' to VPH are correctly interpreted.
• Multi-disciplinary nature of VPH and its different role-players are acknowledged.
• Regulations applicable to Animal Health Technician are correctly interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Food safety and principles (in line with OIE, WHO, FAO, Republic of South Africa (RSA)) are accessed and discussed.
• The integrated food-chain approach to VPH is explained.
• The application of HACCP to the food chain approach is reviewed.
• The application of Hygiene Assessment Systems (HAS) to food of animal origin in VPH is explained.
• Animal Health Technician's (AHT) role in VPH during the pre-harvest phase is interpreted.
• International livestock welfare principles during food production and processing are acknowledged and audited.
• The AHT's role in VPH during the harvest phase is interpreted.
• The AHT's role in VPH during the post-harvest phase, including food associated diseases, is interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The role of the AHT in the field is identified in line with the relevant regulations and the principles of VPH.
• In the context of scenario, relevant regulations are identified and implemented by the AHT.
• In the context of a scenario, the general principles of meat hygiene are correctly identified and applied.
• Guidelines for environmental health protection and waste disposal during production and processing of food of animal are applied.
• Basic principles of epidemiology are applied to VPH by AHT.
• Guidelines for ensuring production of safe meat and milk are described.
• Guidelines for ensuring production of fish that is safe and sound are described.
• Guidelines for ensuring production of honey that is safe and sound described.
• Guidelines for production of eggs that are safe and sound are described.
• VPH Legislation to be implemented by AHT during certification of food for export/import are identified and described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Given a scenario of a disease or condition, one of five possible general causes of the disease or condition is correctly identified, with appropriate reasons for the identification.
• The general disease process associated with each of the general causes of disease is correctly described and applied to scenarios in specific contexts.
• The implications of a particular disease process for the treatment and prevention of the disease are correctly identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• The terms 'non-controlled disease' and 'controlled disease' are correctly explained and distinguished, and appropriate examples are given of each category.
• A given disease is correctly classified as either non-controlled or controlled, with appropriate reasons for the classification.
• A correct general distinction is made between the different processes involved in managing a non-controlled and a controlled disease.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Given a scenario of a disease, it is correctly described how the history of the case will be obtained, and the relevant questions needed to obtain the history are identified.
• The methodology for evaluating the working of different body systems by: observation, and Examination is correctly described, with consideration of how this will be carried out in a particular context.
• A feasible presumptive identification is made based on the case history, observation and examination of a disease condition in a particular context.
• The resources needed to perform a confirmation of a diagnosis in a given context are correctly identified, including human resources, tools and equipment.
• Relevant samples for obtaining a confirmation of a diagnosis are correctly identified and where relevant it is described how the samples should be taken.
• Given a particular scenario, an accurate description is given of how a post mortem should be conducted in that context, and how dead animals should be disposed of.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Given a particular Southern African scenario related to one of the five major causes of disease, different available treatment and product options are correctly identified and described.
• The handling, mixing (where relevant) and storage of a given product in a particular context are correctly described.
• Dosages of particular products in a given context are accurately calculated, and it is correctly described how the product should be administered and used in a cost-effective way.
• Withdrawal periods of product routes are correctly given.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Four different approaches to prevention are correctly distinguished and described, namely improving general resistance, improving acquired immunity, decreasing the exposure to disease, and totally.
• Preventing exposure to the disease (biosecurity).
• Given a particular context and the type of disease cause in that context, appropriate recommendations are made for applying one or more of the prevention approaches.
• An appropriate biosecurity plan is drawn up for a particular context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Relevant principles of the identification, treatment and prevention of diseases are communicated to farmers in such a way that they can apply these principles in the provision of primary animal health care.
• A presentation to at least two farmer groups (or simulated farmer groups) is prepared and presented, and relevant evidence of the presentation is provided, for example the text or slides of the presentation, posters, photos or attendance registers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

• At least three different types of controlled diseases are correctly distinguished in terms of their transmission modes and rates (e.g. highly infectious diseases spreading rapidly from animal to animal; highly infectious, rapidly-spreading diseases transmitted by insects; and slow-spreading chronic diseases).
• Given a particular controlled disease, the history of occurrence of the disease in the Southern African and, where relevant, the international context is accurately sketched in broad terms, and correct conclusions are drawn about the economic and social implications and consequences of the disease.
• Relevant sources for obtaining information on controlled diseases are correctly identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

• Given a scenario of a controlled disease, it is correctly described how a presumptive diagnosis should be reached by obtaining a case history, observation and examination in the particular context.
• The resources needed to perform a confirmation of a diagnosis in a given context are correctly identified, including human resources, tools and equipment.
• Relevant samples for obtaining a confirmation of a diagnosis are correctly identified and where relevant it is described how the samples should be taken.
• Given a particular scenario, an accurate description is given of how a post mortem should be conducted in that context, and how the disposal of dead animals should be undertaken.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15

• Given a particular disease, the protocol to be followed within the first 24 hours after the presumptive diagnosis of the disease is accurately described and motivated, and correctly applied to scenarios or case studies.
• The legislative sources of the relevant protocol are correctly identified and cited where appropriate.
• Relevant required documentation to initiate and record the application of the protocol is correctly completed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 16

• Relevant procedures to be followed after the diagnosis of a controlled disease are correctly identified and described, with consideration of the type of controlled disease involved (i.e. its transmission mode and rate of transmission).
• The main tools needed to bring a disease under control or eradicate it are accurately identified and applied in the context of a scenario or case study, including movement restrictions, quarantine, sampling and surveillance.
• An effective disease management plan is drawn up that integrates the appropriate procedures and tools for controlling or eradicating the disease, and that includes relevant formal Operating Procedure documents, contingency plans, and measures for the disposal of carcasses and decontamination of affected areas.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 17

• Relevant principles of the diagnostic methodology, management and prevention of controlled diseases are communicated to farmers in such a way that they can apply these principles.
• A presentation to at least two farmer groups (or simulated farmer groups) is effectively prepared and presented, and relevant evidence of the presentation is provided, for example the text or slides of the presentation, posters, photos or attendance registers.

Integrated Assessment

• Graduates will demonstrate the integration of knowledge through the submission of the well processed assignments, portfolios, technical papers and compiled reports.
• Graduates will apply basic skills and techniques in solving Animal Health problems in the field of specialisation.
• For the award of the qualification, a candidate must achieve each of the compulsory modules.
• Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through theoretical and practical experience.