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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111834  Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered-data under construction" 
SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2021-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2022-06-30   2025-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is for the diplomat be competent to apply specialised knowledge, tools and techniques in advanced Occupational Therapy so contributing to the need in our country for skilled Occupational Therapists with specialist knowledge. Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce diplomats who may proceed to a Master's level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy is aligned to the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and the Council for Higher Education (CHE) RPL Policies. As the institution has a finite capacity in most undergraduate fields (its limits have already been reached, or those admitted are selected from a large number of learners), the institution's policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning only applies to learner cases at Postgraduate level (including Postgraduate Diplomas). Refer to 2018, The institutions, rules and regulations Policy on post qualified learners.

The institution's policy on RPL applies to prospective learners who do not meet the formal or statutory requirements for entrance, but who can demonstrate that they possess the appropriate (context-specific) knowledge and skills required for admission, please see below (Please note the processes are controlled by Senate and its Senate Committee for Admission Status and are based on rigorous, evidence-based assessment and moderation by academic staff of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values acquired through experience and non-formal and informal learning as measured against the exit level outcomes of such registered qualification standards on South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) as part of the approved Qualification and Qualification Mix (Prior Qualification Mix (PQM) of the institution, as well as against the learning outcomes per module as approved by the Senate of the institution for coursework qualification).

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 7. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Collect, research, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information at an advanced level and to apply specialised techniques in the field of Occupational Therapy to recognise, investigate, treat and prevent conditions in the field of Occupational Therapy.
    2. Apply specialist knowledge to determine the causes of functional problems and to solve and manage those problems through Occupational Therapy.
    3. Show ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist Occupational Therapy practice, both about the individuals and the community.
    4. Acquire and 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 progress.
    5. Understand the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation In the contexts of the whole individual and his or her place in the family, society the population and the environment, have knowledge of health and its promotion of disease, disability and its prevention management in these contexts.
    6. Work with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community and be competent.
    7.Communicate competently and teach effectively both orally and in writing with peers, colleagues, clients, members of the health care team and the public. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Analyse information from history, physical, psychological, Occupational performance examination, and diagnostic tests to arrive at a management qualification.
  • Select, apply, evaluate and develop the most appropriate specialised approach to the solution of problems.
  • Apply diverse knowledge to the development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health and technological aspects.
  • Decide on management and treatment or referral based on current evidence.
  • Solve a problem in the enterprise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Know and apply knowledge in a specialised field.
  • Include competence as a specialist practitioner in the field of Occupational Therapy.
  • Demonstrate of leadership in advanced problem-solving
  • Work with others in a team
  • Show initiative and ability to work independently with professional responsibilities in a specialised field being critically aware of one's limitations
  • Refer appropriate another practitioner.
  • Communicate in any appropriate medium.
  • Use active and critical specialist techniques of Occupational Therapy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Show respect for clients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
  • Refers clients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she treat certain conditions.
  • Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual client intervention and the provision of service to communities.
  • Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
  • Strive to improve client 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 the community as well as t individual client welfare by the practice of specialist techniques and methods particular to occupational therapy.
  • Incorporate the ethical and legal issues of the profession into the practice of occupational therapy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist occupational therapist and as a responsible citizen.
  • Acknowledge 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.
  • Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity of self-audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Obtain an appropriate history and understanding of the client's reason for seeking the service.
  • Perform a complete Occupational Therapy examination.
  • Interpret the findings to reach an assessment of the client's problems and formulate with the client plans for management, including opportunistic health promotion.
  • Maintain a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
  • Record and report appropriately and effectively.
  • Collect and record health-relevant information systematically and reliably;
  • Use this information to identify occupational performance problems and apply it to manage these problems.
  • Analyse the burden of disease and disability within the family, the community and the environment, socio-economic, political, ecological and behavioural determinants of disease and disability.
  • Apply the principles of disease and disability prevention and health promotion within the context of promoting a healthy environment.
  • Play a role in the organisation, management and provision of health care both in the community and in acute and chronic health care settings, taking into consideration the economic and practical constraints within which it is delivered, and the audit process to monitor its delivery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Recognise the nature and scope of the various professional health disciplines.
  • Work effectively with others in 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 other health workers play in health care and show a willingness to work effectively within a team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with the client, the family, the health-care team and the community at large using appropriate structure and style.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment is undertaken continuously, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks. Such methods assess learners 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. Furthermore, in order to pass a course, and, finally, in order to qualify, the learners must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired. The 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 using oral and written examinations and examination equivalent assignments. These assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflexive competence. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 9. 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.