PROGRAMME NAME

Occupational Health/occupational medicine

QUALIFICATION TO WHICH

THIS PROGRAMME LEADS

Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health

OFFICIAL ABBREVIATION

OF QUALIFICATION

DOH

NQF FIELD (S)

09 (Health Sciences and Social Services) Subfield: Preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative

NQF-LEVEL

7

2.1      Senior certificate with Matriculation Exemption or

Equivalent university admission qualification

YES

X

NO

2.2      First degree:  [If  YES, state title of degree(s)]

MBChB, Other Health Professional degree, other bachelors

YES

X

NO

2.3      Honours degree:  [If YES, state title of degree(s)]

YES

NO

X

2.4      Master’s degree (s):  [If YES, state title of degree(s)]

YES

NO

X

2.5      Other qualification(s) [state name of qualification(s)]  NONE

2.6      Recognition of Prior Learning (e.g. Work or field experience (if applicable)

Yes as above

2.7      State specific additional requirements (e.g. matric subjects)

Mathematics for matric

EXIT-LEVEL OUTCOMES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, VALUES) INCLUDING CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(a)     Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

1.  Demonstrates in practice an interdisciplinary or holistic perspective, and is able to:

1.1  Integrate perspectives and skills from a variety of disciplines in medicine, public health, management, law and social sciences, in problem solving at individual, group or organisational level.

1.2  Work effectively with a range of professionals and practitioners engaged in occupational health.

1.3      Reflect in problem solving an

in-depth understanding of

the institutional, legal, and ethical

context of occupational medical

 and occupational health problems.

(b) General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

See items 16,17 & 18 below

See items 16,17 & 18 below

(c) Specific Outcomes, including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated)

1. Is a sound clinician, and is able to:

2. Has special competence in medical surveillance and biological monitoring, and is able to:

3. Has special competence in health risk assessment, and is able to:

4. Has special competence in occupational health service design and audit, and is able to:

5.  Has special competence in occupational health and safety law, and is able to:

6. Has special competence in fitness, impairment and disability assessment and workplace accommodation and disability management, and is able to:

7.      Has special competence in ethics in occupational health, and is able to:

8. Has a sound knowledge of health promotion and management of common community and lifestyle diseases in the workplace, and is able to:

9. Has a sound knowledge of epidemiology and research method and is able to:

10. Is familiar with the discipline of Occupational Hygiene, and is able to: 

11.  Is familiar with the discipline of Toxicology,  and is able to:

12. Is familiar with the discipline of Ergonomics, and is able to:

13. Has an understanding of Industrial Relations, and is able to:

14.  Is a competent Manager of operations, and is able to:

15. Has an understanding of health care delivery systems and benefits management, and is able to:

16. Has an understanding of  information systems, and is able to:

17. Is competent in adult education and training, and is able to:

18. Is a competent communicator, and is able to:

19.   Has an understanding  of Environmental Management,  and is able to:

20. Has an understanding of Disaster Management, and is able to:

1.1    Exercise competence in all aspects, including examination, diagnosis, management and/or appropriate referral, of work related disease or disability or threats to health and well-being.

1.2 These should cover work-related respiratory, dermatology, musculoskeletal,ENT, ophthalmology,  neurology, reproductive, cardiology, haematology, and psychiatric and infectious conditions.

1.3   Interpret chest radiology, lung function testing, bronchial challenge testing, audiometry, toxicological testing,vision screening,  hematological and biochemical testing, testing of infection and immune function, allergy testing, and patch testing.

1.4   Refer appropriately those conditions requiring further investigation and management.  

1.5   Assess, manage and/or refer occupational trauma and workplace emergencies.

1.6   Counsel and/or  refer employees with  substance abuse and other psychosocial problems affecting work capacity.

1.7 Advise on immunisation and prophylaxis against infectious disease arising from or affecting work, including employee travel and migrant labour.

1.8  Assess, manage and/or refer common adult primary care problems.

2.1  Design medical surveillance programmes.

2.2 Set up surveillance and biological monitoring protocols, including liaison with laboratories.

2.3  Apply and interpret specific tests.

2.4   Evaluate cost-effectiveness of medical surveillance and biological monitoring protocols.

3.1  Understand definitions of  “risk assessment” as used in different contexts, viz. workplace, epidemiological, toxicological, accident/disaster and environmental contexts .

3.2  Conduct a workplace health risk assessment in a wide range of workplaces, and integrate relevant data from a variety of sources.

3.3. Able to assess workplace conditions against relevant standards and regulations.

4.1. Understand the array of potential functions of a workplace based health service and to design and organise optimal mix for different contexts, including first aid, primary care, and occupational health components.

4.2.  Link the occupational health service to existing safety, environment, human resources and other management subsystems in the organisation.

4.3. Apply quality assurance methods to occupational health services.

4.4. Apply common audit procedures to occupational health and safety systems,  and assist in preparation for such audits.

5.1  Advise others on and apply the main laws in occupational health and safety, and  other laws of relevance to occupational health.

5.2  Work with lawyers on matters of  civil law pertaining to occupational health.

6.1  Assess the fitness of workers for particular jobs.

6.2  Assess fitness requirements for high risk jobs, viz, miners, drivers, seafarers, pilots and divers.

6.3   Assess or arrange assessment of workers with impairment and/or disability, including problems related to drug and alcohol dependency, psychotropic medication use, psychiatric problems and  post-traumatic stress disorder.

6.4. Counsel, and assist accommodation if necessary, of pregnant workers.

6.5 Initiate and manage processes for rehabilitation of disabled workers.

6.6  Apply understanding of the impact of any chronic or recurrent condition on work ability, and advise on any accommodation required.

6.7.  Follow procedures for compensating occupational disease and injury, and advise on medical aspects of claims procedures.

6.8  Follow procedures required for disability retirement processes, and contribute medical advice and expertise to assist resolution of claims.

7.1   Assert the importance of ethical approaches in occupational medicine in the face of conflicts of interest.

7.2   Advise others on ethical  principles and practice with regard to subjects such as confidentiality, sickness certification, HIV screening,  drug and alcohol screening and consent for surveillance.

7.3   Contribute practically to the resolution of potential or actual conflicts with medical ethical and medico-legal dimensions.

8.1. Apply the  principles of health promotion.

8.2. Develop health promotion programmes for specific conditions, including HIV, TB, STDs, tobacco and alcohol related conditions.

8.3. Manage, in collaboration with other services, conditions requiring an interdisciplinary approach such as substance abuse, stress ailments, mental illness, cardiovascular disease.

9.1  Apply the principles of epidemiological measurement, study design and causal inference.

9.2  Initiate and draft a research protocol.

9.3  Appraise critically occupational health and medical literature.

9.4   Participate in workplace based epidemiological studies, including sentinel and cluster investigations, aetiologic and intervention studies and formal health services evaluation.

9.5  Handle, analyse and interpret data, with support from appropriate specialists.

10.1 Apply the basic principles of occupational hygiene, including measurement, control and evaluation.

10.2 Interpret and apply data and recommendations from occupational hygiene reports.

10.3. Characterise the common hazards in a wide range of production processes found in South Africa.

10.4. Advise on practical control systems for air pollutants, skin irritants, noise, heat, etc.

10.5. Advise on personal protective equipment and its limitations.

11.1. Apply the basic principles of occupational toxicology.

11.2. Extract and use toxicological information.

11.3. Interpret material safety data sheets.

11.4. Communicate relevant toxicological information to a lay audience.

12.1. Apply the basic principles of ergonomics.

12.2. Carry out a basic ergonomic risk assessment.

12.3   Advise on common control strategies to prevent ergonomically related injuries or ill health.

13.1. Apply the basic principles of industrial relations within the relevant institutional and workplace framework.

13.2. Contribute constructively and ethically to resolution of industrial relations conflicts involving health matters.

14.1. Write and revise strategic and operational plans, including budgets and procedures, for occupational health services or operating units.

14.2.  To plan, organise, staff, finance, monitor and control an occupational health service or other operating unit.

14.3. Chair, direct and contribute to committee work.

15.1.  Understand the structure and dynamics of health care delivery and financing in South Africa.

15.2     Contribute to health care and

benefits policies of organisations

16.1  Demonstrate  computer literacy.

16.2  Use the internet and electronic and paper databases for information retrieval.

16.3 Design clinic, workplace, company or regional record/health information system for management, covering injuries and illnesses.

16.4. Use an information system to evaluate health and safety performance or clinical service.

17.1. Apply  the principles of adult education and learning.

17.2. Prepare training materials for a variety of audiences.

17.3. Conduct training seminars for a variety of audiences

17.4. Evaluate training sessions and materials

18.1. Communicate individually and in group situations with all participants in workplace organisations and occupational health: management, employees, union representatives and fellow professionals.

18.2. Write clear and concise documents: proposals, policies, reports.

18.3. Communicate risk information.

19.1.  Contribute to  environmental impact assessment.

19.2. Contribute to the environmental component of a safety, health and environment policy for workplaces (or regions or districts).

19.3  Communicate with representatives of residents/ third party groups affected by workplace operations.

20.1Contribute to a disaster management plan tailored to the workplace, including provision for mass exposure and casualty scenarios.

CREDITS REQUIRED

Credits

Credits for core learning (course work):

320

Credits for self-directed learning :

320

Credits for research project:

320

Credits for homework:

240

Total credits required:

1200

NQF LEVEL

NUMBER OF CREDITS

7

1200

ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THE PURPOSE OF THE DEGREE IS ACHIEVED

Evauation is based on :

1.       classroom participation – attendance of 8 full week blocks is a requirement

2.        homework – clinical, epidemiological, toxicological and statistical  excercises. 

3.  self-directed learning – a wide range of readings is required and assessed by a formal literature review

4.  a research protocol development and research project report  is assessed at a final oral presentation and written report

5.  Three  three hour written papers on
 

a) Epidemiology & statistics

b) Occupational medicine  & toxicology

c)  Occupational health services management& organisation including safety, legislation and industrial hygiene

 6.  An oral examination by a panel of at least 3 examiners 

Overall pass mark is 50%

6.1      Title(s) of related qualification(s)

1.  Previous Bachelor’s degrees as listed above
2.  Specialist qualification in Public Health   Medicine

3.       Sub-specialist qualification in Occupational Health

3.  Future specialisation in occupational medicine.

6.2      This qualification serves as an entry  

Point to the related qualification(s).

(Fill in YES or NO in each case).

1.  NO

2.  NO

3.  NO

6.3      This qualification provides credits

For the related qualification(s).  (Fill in YES or NO in each case).

1.  NO

2.  YES

3.  YES

6.4      Other articulation possibilities, either  generic or specific (please specify)

CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Examiners will be based in the  candidate’s own training institution, with the exception of an external examiner at the final examination.

There will be a panel of at least three examiners appointed for each biennial  cycle of written examinations and orals.  At least one of these will be external to UCT.

 Qualifications required: All examiners should hold specialist qualifications in public health medicine or occupational health/medicine or have an equivalent specialist medical qualification with experience in occupational health.  Alternatively, examiners should hold a postgraduate diploma in occupational health or medicine or equivalent  from an South African or overseas university.

Experience required:  Experience in occupational health practice and in teaching occupational health is a necessity.  Research experience is an advantage.

Other criteria:  All of the examiners should hold an academic appointment, which may be part-time or full-time.