Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must have completed the required 120 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
This certificate is for healthcare support staff. It integrates theory and practice and has a strong emphasis on learning in the workplace. You must be supported by your employer for the work-based element of the qualification. The certificate develops the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to underpin healthcare practice at Level 1. It offers you the opportunity to study the biological, social, political, ethical and psychological concepts relevant to healthcare practice. You will demonstrate progression in numeracy, literacy, IT, communication and cognitive skills as well as a range of practical skills and competencies.
This qualification enables you to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies you need to underpin your practice as a healthcare assistant/healthcare support worker, aspiring assistant practitioner or student of nursing.
It is the first step towards the Diploma of Higher Education in Adult Nursing (D67) and the Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing (D68). For entry to these diplomas you must be sponsored by your employer and meet the entry requirements for nurse education, which include numeracy, literacy, good health and character.
It is also the first step towards the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Practice (G24) or the Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice (E76) (available to students in Scotland). For these qualifications you will need to be in suitable healthcare employment and supported by your employer.
Planning your studies
If your intended study pathway is nursing we recommend that you start your studies with our key introductory modules An introduction to health and social care (K101) or An introduction to health and social care (KYN101) and Enhancing your healthcare practice (K117). This will give you a firm foundation for further study and progression to Level 2.
Although An introduction to health and social care (K101) is available to all students, Enhancing your healthcare practice (K117) is restricted to students who are employed in healthcare and are supported by their employing organisation.
If you are intending to study towards the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Practice (G24) or the Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice (E76) we recommend that you start your studies with our key introductory module An introduction to health and social care (K101) followed by Enhancing your healthcare practice (K117). This will give you a firm foundation for further study and progression to Level 2.
Entry requirements – This Certificate of Higher Education is only offered with support from employers and you will remain in employment while studying the certificate.
For entry to the Diploma of Higher Education in Adult Nursing (D67) and the Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing (D68) you must be sponsored by your employer and meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) entry requirements for nurse education which include numeracy, literacy, good health and character.
The OU provides study resources and tutorial support and manages the assessment processes. Your employer provides the practice learning environment. The OU works with employers to prepare and support practitioners to take on the role of practice supervisor, assessor and/or mentor.
We anticipate students will normally complete the certificate within two years. However, if you are studying the Certificate of Higher Education as part of a study pathway leading to nurse registration please be aware that the NMC require students of nursing to complete their qualification (Diploma of Higher Education in Adult or Mental Health Nursing) within five years full time or seven years part time. The OU will work with you and your employer to determine the best pace of study to meet your needs and the expectations of your organisation.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your certificate.
Career relevance and employability
Although this Certificate of Higher Education provides no guarantee of promotion in the workplace, it is designed as the first step to prepare healthcare support workers for the role of assistant/associate practitioner or student of nursing. Your employer is required to provide a work-based supervisor/mentor who will support and assess you in the workplace.
Following completion of this qualification, you may wish to pursue further study opportunities leading to, for example, a Foundation Degree in Healthcare Practice and ultimately an honours degree in health and social care or, possibly, as a registered practitioner in your respective field of practice.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this certificate you require:
60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to health and social care (K101)
|
60 |
|
- An introduction to health and social care (KYN101)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules K100, KYN100, KZX100
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Enhancing your healthcare practice (K117)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules K114, KYN107, KZL107
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice and you will be entitled to use the letters CertHE (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification