Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health

The purpose of the qualification is to develop specialised skills and knowledge and to prepare learners for positions as occupational health practitioners, researchers, health educators or service co-ordinators, so contributing to the need in our country for practitioners in the field of occupational health.

A learner must have previously gained a knowledge and understanding of both the structure and content of the discipline and of related concepts and knowledge systems underlying the discipline. This may have been achieved either by formally accredited learning or in part by experiential or work-based learning.

FORMALLY ACCREDITED LEARNING

A typical applicant

• is registered as a medical practitioner or a dental practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or is registered with the HPCSA as a postgraduate student and continues to maintain that registration for the duration of his/her period of registration as a diploma student at this University.
• holds the minimum of the NQF Level 7 qualification of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Science of the University or equivalent as approved by the Senate.

In order to comply with the points mentioned above, it is assumed that the applicant shows competence in written and oral English, and in the terminology of the chosen field.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Problem-Solving Ability

The qualifying learner is competent to perform high order problem solving techniques (collecting, researching, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information) and to apply these techniques in the field of occupational health.

1. Knowledge of Occupational Health Practice and the Application Thereof

The qualifying learner is competent to apply knowledge gained in the practice of occupational health.

1. Attitudes and Values

The qualifying learner shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects occupational health practice.

1. Self Development

The qualifying learner will have acquired and will demonstrate self direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

1. Working with others as members of a team, group, organisation, community

The qualifying learner will be competent to work with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.

1. Professional and General Communication

The qualifying learner will be competent to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with peers, colleagues, patients and their families, members of the health care team and the public.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

a) "identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, and 4.

b) "working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community." See exit level outcomes 3 and 5.

c) "organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively." See exit level outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 5.

d) "collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 4.

e) "communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion." See exit level outcomes 3, 5 and 6.

f) "using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 4.

g) "demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation." See exit level outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5.

h) "contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. "reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;" see exit level outcomes 4.

ii. "participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;" see exit level outcomes 3, 4 and 5; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. "being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;" see exit level outcomes 3 and 5.

iv. "exploring education and career opportunities." See exit level outcome 4.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities." See exit level outcomes 4.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate approach to the solution of occupational health problems.
• the ability to identify key principles in the practice of occupational health.
• the application of principles of epidemiology and biostatistics to occupational health practice.
• appropriate decision making in his or her scope of practice based on current evidence.
• the ability to identify, diagnose, investigate and manage important occupational health priorities in Southern Africa.
• The application of diverse knowledge to development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health and technological aspects.

2. The qualifying learner demonstrates an understanding of

• key issues in occupational health as well as the structure, organisation and management of occupational health services.
• the most commonly encountered conditions in occupational settings and the diagnosis, testing and treatment of these conditions.
• analysis of the workplace and risk assessment procedures.
• data sources and how to access these.
• epidemiological principles and the analysis of data using relevant computer software.
• the principles of occupational health surveillance and the interpretation of results.
• hazardous chemical, physical and psychological stressors in the workplace.
• the organisation of occupational health and the legislation governing occupational health practice.

3. The qualifying learner

• shows respect for patients, workers and their families, and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• where applicable, consults those more appropriately qualified than he or she.
• demonstrates an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
• considers both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• strives to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to health in the workplace and community as well as to individual patient welfare.

4. The qualifying learner

• uses appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both in the discipline and as a responsible citizen.
• demonstrates skills in essential writing, critical reading, computing and public speaking which are required to successfully complete the course, as well as for their roles as managers.
• acknowledges responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments, and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements if applicable.
• identifies personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

5. The qualifying learner will

• recognise the nature and scope of the various professional health disciplines.
• work effectively with others in the work place and the health-care team, understanding the need to have managerial, communicative, research and educational skills for this purpose.
• demonstrate respect for the essential roles which others play in the workplace and show a willingness to work effectively within a team.

1. The qualifying learner will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the patient, the family, the health-care team and the community at large using appropriate structure and style.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Formative assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflective competence. Formative assessment uses the modes of self-assessment, peer assessment and internal assessment by members of the academic staff of the Faculty. Summative assessment may be conducted by means of oral and written examinations, and examination equivalent assignments. These assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflexive competence.