Bachelor of Environmental Health

Purpose

Learners graduating from this qualification will be able to function independently as Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) implementing and managing various health activities in various fields within the scope of the environmental health profession. Graduates will be able to implement the principles of risk identification, assessment and management in order to improve the health of the community and contribute to sustainable development. They will be able to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of control measures and management systems in order to make necessary improvements. They need to develop management systems in a variety of environmental health fields, such as air quality, water quality, food and meat hygiene, occupational health and safety and environmental health related sustainability initiatives. Auditing of these systems will be expected of the graduates.

In addition they will be able to apply research skills and interpret and apply legislation, regulations and policies related to environmental health and to advise/educate role players on specific issues within their scope of practice. The EHP will function as a member of a multidisciplinary team of professionals in accordance with the EHP scope of profession. As such this person will be able to communicate effectively, foster entrepreneurship, uphold professional and environmental health ethics and manage human, financial and physical resources within the EHP scope of profession.

This Degree will serve a national need to train a high level Promotive and Preventive Health cadre capable of dealing with new and emerging environmental health challenges.

Learners satisfying the requirements for this qualification will be able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as Environmental Health Practitioners functioning as independent practitioners.

Rationale

Developments in the field of environmental health have necessitated changes in terms of expectations of practice. While the training has focused on specific areas and practice, it has become apparent that the scope of work requires personnel with a deep theoretical knowledge of the discipline and its related (cognate) disciplines. Sustainable development is a thread that needs to be considered in all decisions taken by practitioners in the field of environmental health.

International and national shifts have resulted in emphasis on many environmental health related aspects, requiring practitioners to have a deeper and broader theoretical understanding as well as an integrated understanding of related disciplines. In the South African context the practitioner must be able to address aspects of newly developed and continuously changing, highly technical management systems required nationally and internationally as a result of increased global communication and trade, while, at the same time, addressing developmental issues related to environmental health.

This qualification will equip the learners with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies required by the sector in order to meet the legislative and operational requirements of the Environmental Health profession.

Learners entering this qualification should be able to

• Carry out actions by interpreting information from text and operational symbols or representations.
• Solve common problems and apply common solutions within relevant parameters and within the operating context.
• Collect relevant information and analyse and evaluate such information.
• Communicate and present information reliably and accurately in writing and orally at NQF Level 4.
• Take responsibility for their own learning within a supervised environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants will be individually assessed according to institutional RPL policy and guidelines.

Applicants who require access to the qualification through RPL will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence based on the outcomes to be demonstrated.

Access to the Qualification

Learners wishing to access this qualification should be in possession of one of the following

• National Senior Certificate granting access to Degree studies.
• Senior Certificate with Matriculation exemption.

All the given modules must be successfully achieved to be granted the qualification.

Total Credits required: 488.

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Chemistry (Theory), 6 Credits.
• Chemistry (Practical), 6 Credits.
• Physics, 12 Credits.
• Microbiology, 12 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology, 16 Credits.
• Psychology - An Introduction, 8 Credits.
• Sociology - An Introduction, 8 Credits.
• Mathematics, 12 Credits.
• Communication, 6 Credits.
• Computer literacy, 6 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5: 92.

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Introduction to Environmental Health, 6 Credits.
• Sustainable Development, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Health Management and Administration II, 16 Credits.
• Planning for the Built Environment, 12 Credits.
• Food and Meat Safety II 20, Credits.
• Biostatistics and Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Community Development, 12 Credits.
• Water Quality Management, 16 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety II, 16 Credits.
• Epidemiology II, 16 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 6: 138.

Modules at NQF Level 7

• Environmental Health Management and Administration III, 16 Credits.
• Food and Meat Safety III, 20 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety III, 16 Credits.
• Epidemiology III, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Waste Management, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Law and Legal Processes III, 16 Credits.
• Disaster Management, 8 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 7: 124.

Modules at NQF Level 8

• Environmental Health Management and Administration IV, 16 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety IV, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Law and Legal Processes IV, 16 Credits.
• Food management Systems, 8 Credits.
• Environmental Health Information Systems Management, 16 Credits.
• Research Project, 30 Credits.
• Environmental Management, 16 Credits.
• Air quality management, 16 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 8: 134.

1. Apply the principles of ethics, relevant legislation and professional behaviour within the environmental health milieu.
2. Integrate and apply foundational, scientific principles and knowledge to environmental health sciences.
3. Manage environmental health risks within natural, socio-economic, built and working environments within the scope of the profession.
4. Manage environmental health programmes focussing on prevention.

• Range: Manage refers to: Design, develop, implement and evaluate.

1. Manage environmental health services.

• Range: Manage will involve financial, human and physical resources, the planning, control and utilisation thereof.

1. Demonstrate project management skills within a project management lifecycle.
2. Conduct and participate in environmental health research.
3. Demonstrate communication skills in interpersonal relations and professional behaviour to promote environmental health services.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1.1 Ethical and legal responsibilities pertaining to the profession are applied during all interactions with clients, colleagues and/or the community.

1.2 All activities are performed in terms of ethical rules of the HPCSA, the Scope of the profession, the Environmental Health package of services and the Batho Pele principles.

1.3 Professional and personal growth is achieved through the assumption of various roles within the environmental health milieu or community setting and is evidenced during interactions between practitioners and communities/clients and/or practitioner and colleagues.

• Range of roles includes but is not limited to: Educator, facilitator, administrator, project manager, law enforcement officer, community developer and researcher.

1.4 Interactions with community groups, non-governmental organisations (NGO), clients and media are handled using tactful, objective, non-confrontational, culturally acceptable and language sensitive communication skills.

1.5 The requirements for registration with the HPCSA and professional bodies are fulfilled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

2.1 Physical, chemical, biochemical and biological principles are integrated and applied in the identifying, assessing managing and controlling of environmental health risks and services.

2.2 Anatomical, Physiological, Pathophysiological and Mathematical principles and knowledge are integrated and applied in the identifying, assessing managing and controlling of environmental health risks and services.

2.3 Social and behavioural principles and knowledge are integrated and applied by means of community outreach, project facilitation and related environmental health services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

3.1 Current and potential health risks are identified and their impacts are assessed within the environmental health field, using applicable strategies.

3.2 Health risks are recognised in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.

• Range: Legislation includes, but is not limited to: All health and environmental-related Acts and Regulations, Codes of Practice, norms, standards and work procedures.

3.3 A comprehensive risk management plan is compiled in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.

3.4 All intervention measures for the identified environmental health risk are evaluated to determine corrective actions.

3.5 The effectiveness of the comprehensive risk management plan is monitored and reviewed.

3.6 Current and potential risks are addressed by applying various strategies.

• Range: Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Health Impact Assessment.

3.7 The effectiveness of the comprehensive risk management plan is monitored and reviewed.

3.8 Findings, recommendations and requirements are reported in an acceptable format. Verification tools are developed to measure and evaluate all elements of the environmental health risk management.

• Range: 'Tools' could include surveys, questionnaires, statistical packages and reports.

3.9 Public participation is conducted at all stages of the development and implementation of the risk management plan.

3.10 A report is presented in an acceptable report format and outcomes communicated to the relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

4.1 A situational analysis is performed in the community by collecting information, conducting meetings and interviews and by complying with acceptable protocols.

• Range: Community refers to but is not limited to: Community leaders, NGO demographic make-up of communities, available resources and current health promotion projects.

4.2 Sustainable health promotion programmes are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in compliance with accepted national policies and guidelines of health promotion.

4.3 There is participation in multi-disciplinary promotion programmes.

4.4 Participatory methodologies are used to promote environmental health amongst communities in the working, living and recreational environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

5.1 Administrative skills are applied in context by applying the relevant management norms and standards.

5.2 A skills development plan is drawn up.

5.3 Policies, legislation and guidelines are critically reviewed and developed.

5.4 Policies, legislation and guideline gaps are identified and analysed and recommendations are developed and applied.

5.5 Human resources are managed within an environmental health context.

5.6 Labour relations policies and legislation are reviewed and applied in context.

• Range: Labour relations, basic conditions of employment, employment equity, prevention of discrimination, HIV and AIDS (AMS 16000) CPD.

5.7 The relationship between health, environment and sustainable development is applied in the context of environmental health service delivery.

5.8 Financial matters and physical resources of an environmental health service are managed while adhering to relevant legislative requirements.

5.9 Accounts, budgets and financial procedures are controlled in accordance with applicable legislation.

5.10 An environmental health information system is managed.

• Range: Manage includes: Collection, collation, interpretation, analysis, application and recording.

5.11 Relevant electronic/software programmes for environmental health information system management are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 6

6.1 The project is planned, fully implemented, managed and assessed adhering to project management principles.

6.2 Time-management and financial management principles are applied within a project.

6.3 The project is monitored and evaluated adhering to project management principles.

6.4 Results are communicated (verbally and in writing) in an acceptable format to the relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

7.1 A research need/theme/problem is identified.

7.2 The research proposal reflects national and international accepted guidelines and ethical norms.

7.3 Research principles are applied in design and conducting of investigation.

7.4 Research data is managed in line with prescribed guidelines.

7.5 Intervention measures are developed to confirm research objectives.

7.6 Intervention measures are implemented and evaluated.

7.7 Results are communicated in appropriate format (verbal and in writing).

7.8 The report reflects interpretation, prioritisation and applicability of data completely and accurately.

7.9 The research report addresses the identified problem as stated in the proposal.

7.10 The report reflects intervention measures according to the findings of the research.

7.11 Feedback of research results and recommendations is given to all role players.

7.12 The presentation demonstrates the research capability according to institutional guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

8.1 Communication strategies are developed and managed to improve environmental health services.

8.2 All forms of communication are handled promptly, politely, and professionally.

• Range: All forms of communication include, but are not limited to: Letter and e-mail correspondence, telephone calls, site visits, group discussions, meetings and presentations.

8.3 Protocols for communicating environmental health issues to community members are developed.

8.4 Participatory sessions are planned.

8.5 Systems for the communication of strategies for the delivery of environmental health services are developed and reviewed.

8.6 Conflict resolution skills are demonstrated in the facilitation of conflict resolution within the work environment.

• Range: Skills include, but are not limited to: Listening skills, respect for diversity, understanding the history and context of the conflict, identifying the nucleus of the problem separate from the symptoms, finding common ground and areas of agreement, as well as identifying negotiable and non-negotiable areas.

8.7 Communication and marketing strategies related to environmental health are managed.

8.8 Complicated issues and procedures are explained at the level of the target audience.

8.9 Opportunities for public speaking are sought to broaden the audience on environmental health issues.

8.10 Various public speaking skills are demonstrated by applying a variety of resources and methods.

• Range: Resources include, but are not limited to: Electronic software, slides, posters, flip-charts, pamphlets, exhibitions, role-play, mentoring and debate.

8.11 Marketing strategies that are tactful, objective, non-confrontational, culturally and linguistically sensitive are demonstrated to articulate the goals, purposes, problems and needs of environmental health.

8.12 Marketing strategies are evaluated and appropriate remedial actions are taken.

Integrated Assessment

Learner knowledge and skills will be assessed throughout the duration of learning, using the formative and summative assessment strategies listed below to ensure that exit level and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are met.

Formative assessment

• Tests.
• Written and practical assignments.
• Literature reviews.
• Case studies.
• Class presentations.
• Seminars.
• Peer evaluation.
• Simulations in structured learning environments.
• Competency observations.

Summative assessment

• Written examinations.
• Oral examinations.
• Practical examinations.
• Supervisor reports where appropriate.