Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 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.
The role of healthcare support worker is increasingly fulfilling and challenging, and there are some exciting professional development opportunities emerging – particularly if you have the right qualifications and experience. The Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice will help you get ahead by developing the knowledge and competences needed to deliver high quality, safe and compassionate care, and you’ll also be in prime position to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. This DipHE course integrates theory with work-based learning and meets the needs of healthcare support staff working in a diverse range of settings. When studying Stage 2 of the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to select from study themes such as health and wellbeing; mental health; long-term conditions; children and young people; and demential care and end-of-life care - all with a strong emphasis on enhancing the experience of patients/service users. You must have the support of your employer to study this qualification, as you’ll undertake the two work-based modules in your own workplace.
It is designed to follow on from the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice (C45) and if you have completed the certificate, you will already be half way towards this diploma. Your study experience will be equivalent to the first two years of a full-time degree and will provide both the subject knowledge and the study skills needed to progress to Level 3 (SCQF level 9 or 10) study.
This diploma also offers flexibility if you are a healthcare assistant/healthcare support worker or an assistant/associate practitioner wishing to step into nurse education and gain an honours degree at a later stage of your career development.
This Diploma of Higher Education will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. The same programme of study is also offered as the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Practice (G24).
Planning your studies
Whether or not you are new to study with the OU we recommend that you start at Level 1 (SCQF level 7) and that you complete your Level 1 studies (K101 and K117) before going on to Level 2 (SCQF level 8 or 9).
For this diploma that would mean starting with our key introductory Level 1 module (An introduction to health and social care (K101)) and the work-based learning module, Enhancing your healthcare practice (K117) which can be studied in any order or together, although the latter option involves a heavy study commitment throughout the year.
Entry requirements – This diploma is only offered with support from employers. You need to be working in a healthcare setting for a minimum of two days per week and you must remain in employment as a healthcare support worker while studying the programme, which includes two work-based modules - one at Stage 1 and one at Stage 2.
The two work-based modules (K117 and K236) are open only to applicants who can demonstrate they have support from their employer/organisation and have access to a workplace supervisor. You will be expected to submit a permissions agreement that requires you to confirm good health and character and employer support. Your workplace supervisor will facilitate your work-based learning and assess competence against pre-determined criteria and is required to be suitably qualified in the field of practice in which you are employed. The supervisor will also need to be available to participate in three meetings with you and the OU practice tutor during each work-based module.
The work-based component of the qualification is undertaken in your own workplace. The OU provides study resources and tutorial support and manages the assessment processes. Your employer provides a suitable learning environment in your workplace. The OU works with employers to prepare and support practitioners to take on the role of workplace supervisor and assessor.
Typically, it will take you up to four years of part-time study to complete this qualification. To respond to workforce planning needs, a fast route through the diploma is also possible, completing the programme in two calendar years, but this requires intensive study and needs to be considered very carefully to see whether it is possible alongside your work and personal commitments. 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 80 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 diploma of higher education.
Career relevance and employability
This DipHE in Healthcare Practice is designed to promote the development of healthcare career pathways and to prepare healthcare support workers for the role of assistant/associate practitioner. Although it provides no guarantee of promotion, it is particularly relevant for staff working in support roles in healthcare practice wishing to gain a qualification and deliver high quality, safe and compassionate care.
Following completion of this qualification, you may wish to pursue further study opportunities leading to, for example, an honours degree in health and social care or as a registered practitioner in your respective field of practice.
Delivering quality care requires teamwork and people management skills. Studying this DipHE course will encourage you to work in your multi-professional team to improve the service user experience, and develop your skills in:
- communication
- the use of IT facilities
- information retrieval
- numeracy
- time management
- organisation of self and others
- analysing and problem solving.
You’ll also be prepared for further study, For example, you might aim for an honours degree or a professional qualification in your particular field of practice.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit diploma you require:
60 credits from one of the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory 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 module K100
And 60 credits from the following work-based learning 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
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 2 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Extending your contribution to healthcare practice (K236)
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adult health, social care and well-being (K217)
|
60 |
|
- Change, strategy and projects at work (T227)
|
30 |
|
- Death and dying (K260)
|
30 |
|
- Dementia care (K235)
|
30 |
|
- Health and illness (K213)
|
60 |
|
- Mental health and community (K240)
|
60 |
|
- The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules ED209, K225, K272, SK277, K218
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 courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
We particularly welcome credit studied with Education for Health as their education provision relating to respiratory, cardiology and long-term conditions is of direct relevance to healthcare support workers working across a range of practice settings.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice and will be entitled to use the letters Dip HE (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