Certificate in Healthcare (Elderly Care)

Course Description

The Certificate in Healthcare (Elderly Care) aims to equip you with the skills and competencies to become a caregiver for elderly people.

You will learn how to handle elderly people with health issues, as well as challenges presented when working within multidisciplinary teams in elderly care settings. The course covers the physical, psychological, nutritional and mental aspects of human health, as well as the tools you will need to deal with illnesses and challenging behaviour.

This programme focuses on the Maltese legislation related to the sector and promotes the National Occupational Standards for Elderly Carers, as well as the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People.

The overall course objectives are:

Knowledge:

• Acquire an understanding of human health related problems linked to aging, nutrition, infection issues, mental health disorders and the type of care administered in these areas.
• Understand ethical issues and set of rights and responsibilities related to elderly care including understanding of relevant policies and procedures.
• Identify the resources to provide and deliver personal care for elderly.
• Develop an understanding of the body of knowledge that relates to communication skills and managing challenging behaviour.
• Explore the factors and challenges of working in multidisciplinary team.
• Develop an awareness and appreciation of multifaceted aspects of supporting elderly with special needs.

Skills:

• Demonstrate transfer of theoretical and practical knowledge, in delivering personal care for elderly.
• Examine and apply theories and methodologies related to communication skills and professional development.
• Assess the needs of elderly with health issues and understand the importance of knowing how to apply steps to deal with those issues.
• Identify different techniques relevant to management of nutritional, physical, psychological and mental aspects of human health.
• Identify criteria to perform and act as a team.
• Prioritise needs of elderly and show the highest respect to the them.
• Practice effectively and uphold professional responsibilities and accountability.
• Work safely and show utmost respect towards colleagues.
• Promote professionalism and maintain public trust and confidence.
• Identify and examine the infection and prevention control standard procedures

Competences:

• Manage elderly independently applying technical and problem- solving techniques where there are many factors, some of which interact and lead to unpredictable outcomes.
• Show creativity related to application of supervisory skills related to working with multidisciplinary teams in providing a holistic approach to elderly care.
• Develop an understanding of researched based literature on the subject of elderly care and solidarity with others.
• Assess the importance of personal experience and values and attitudes in working with others.
• Develop a capacity for independent thought and be reflectively self-critical.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the importance of having teamwork competencies.

Work Placement Objectives

The main goal of the Work Placement is to provide students with an opportunity to practice and apply what they have learned during the programme to practice and become a competent and professional Carer for Elderly.

Work Placement of 150 hours is carried out in Elderly Care settings and done at the end of the programme to help students consolidate knowledge and skills and apply them to practice.

The Student works with qualified staff on a daily basis for the duration of the whole Work Placement period. This enables the candidate to apply knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to demonstrate the achievement of competence.

Work Placement setting provides a learning opportunity to further develop their skills and competences to achieve six (6) learning outcomes addressing five domains of competences.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply must be in possession of at least one of the following:

• A pass in English Language and Mathematics and/ or Health And Social Science at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).

Target Audience

This course is targeted at:

• Candidates seeking a career and a formal qualification in elderly care;
• Candidates who wish to progress in their studies along the Further and Higher Education route, whilst broadening their chances of advancing in their own career path.

Career Paths

• This programme aims to prepare you to become a caregiver for elderly persons, in line with the National Occupational Standards for Elderly Care.

Modules

You are required to complete all 10 study modules (60 ECTS) and the work placement to fulfil the requirements of the Certificate in Healthcare (Elderly Care)

How you’ll be assessed

The course comprises:

• Evening classes for part-time courses.
• Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
• Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
• Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
• Work placement practice.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:

• Modular Assessment
• Project Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.