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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology and Palliative Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122563  Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology and Palliative Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
Registered  EXCO 0525/24  2024-07-11  2027-07-11 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-07-11   2031-07-11  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology and Palliative Nursing is to strengthen and deepen the nurse or midwife's knowledge and expertise in oncology and palliative nursing as a speciality. The qualification will enable the Oncology and Palliative Nurse Specialist to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in their field or discipline. The qualification aims to develop a Nurse Specialist who will use expert knowledge to enhance patient care. This includes preventing disease, injury, complications, screening, appropriate management, and prompt referral of patients with specific and complex problems in all clinical settings. The qualification will provide a high level of theoretical engagement, sound clinical judgement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts to render professional and competent nursing/midwifery care highly skilled work.

The learners will be equipped with applied competence that includes various forms of work-directed, theoretical, problem-based, and project-based learning. Successful completion of the module will enable the learner to critically appraise their role as an advanced practice nurse, and advocate for the advancement of the oncology and palliative profession through ethically sound policy development and implementation at institutional, provincial, and national levels.
Learners will be able to apply their knowledge of research to the clinical nursing speciality with reference to the introduction to research, evidence-based practice, literature review, research problem, research design and methods, research ethics, research proposal and dissemination of research findings. Upon completion of the module, the learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, application, and critical analysis of research when providing evidence-based care, evaluating academic literature, ethically using academic writing skills, and a variety of research methodologies and designs correctly and disseminate research findings appropriately.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Provide clinical leadership in the care of patient/s throughout the lifespan in a specialist nursing/midwifery field.
  • Provide comprehensive evidence-based nursing or midwifery care including technology for patients in a specialist nursing or midwifery field.
  • Practise within an ethical-legal framework.
  • Evaluate health care outcomes and make innovative suggestions to improve quality care and safety.
  • Provide professional support for personnel, patients, families, and groups to promote independence and behavioural change.
  • Explore and improve current practices to meet the changing needs of patients and communities.
  • Make recommendations to improve the cost-effectiveness of care.
  • Demonstrate accountability and moral reasoning for independent clinical decisions made regarding patient care.
  • Participate in research activities such as fieldwork and publication of clinical findings.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members and refer patients to relevant organizations or services.

    Rationale:
    Nurse specialists add value to the healthcare system and complement the medical doctors in the already straining South African Health Care system. Nurse specialists can provide quality specialised nursing care within various health settings and improve value for money within the National Health System.
    In terms of section 31 (2) of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act no 33 of 2005) and Government Notice 368 (15 May 2014) the category for Nurse Specialist has been created to ensure standardisation of the qualifications leading to specialisations in nursing after a basic nursing qualification has been obtained.

    Oncology and palliative nurses form part of a multi-professional team that provides preventative, promotive, supportive, rehabilitative, and palliative health services to the general population and patients and their families with cancer.

    The aim is to prevent and promote early detection of cancer and improve quality of life through holistic assessment and management of the patient and their family, throughout the cancer continuum, which includes palliative care. The Oncology and Palliative nurse, as an independent and interdependent health practitioner, is employed in work environments that aim to prevent and promote early detection of cancer, counsel persons requiring genetic counselling, administer various chemotherapy drugs, participate in and lead clinical trials, provide holistic nursing care to the patient throughout the cancer continuum in various care settings - home, outpatient, inpatient, hospital and hospice. Oncology and palliative nurses therefore typically work in private, public, and non-profit organisations where the public in general, as well as the person with cancer and their family member's needs, are priority. Advocacy for improved quality of life for the person with cancer and their family is an important function for the oncology and palliative nurse.

    This qualification will enable the learner to function as a leader who is clinically focused, service-orientated; autonomous and an innovative nurse specialist who can render comprehensive, scientific oncology and palliative nursing care, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science in Education, Management and Community, NQF Level 7
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF level 7.
    And
  • Proof of current SANC registration as a Professional Nurse. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.
  • Business Management, 12 Credits.
  • Oncology Nursing Principles and Practice, 36 Credits.
  • Quality in Oncology and Palliative Nursing,12 Credits.
  • Navigating the Patient with Cancer, 42 Credits.
  • Research for Evidence-Based Practice, 18 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Practice and facilitate specialist nursing or midwifery, nursing education or health services management within the ethical-legal parameters of the profession.
    2. Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice, nursing education or management in the specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    3. Collaborate within the inter-and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision making and sound clinical judgement.
    4. Participate in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing policies, qualifications, and projects at Provincial or National level.
    5. Engage in planning, commissioning, and managing a specialist unit, an educational entity, or a health service.
    6. Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice, education, or management.
    7. Utilise, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research.
    8. Render and coordinate patient-centred specialist nursing or midwifery practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
    9. Mobilise appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialisation, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
    10. Collaborate within the inter- and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision making and sound clinical judgement. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.
  • Illustrate conformity to the relevant code of ethics in the practice of specialist nursing or midwifery, nursing education and health services management.
  • Apply critical decision-making and moral reasoning models and principles to make clinical judgements and resolve ethical dilemmas within the specialist practice.
  • Illustrate accountability for own professional judgment, actions, outcomes of specialist care, nursing education or health services management provided and continued competence.
  • Identify and apply the relevant current legislation, policies, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to specialist practice, nursing education or health services management.
  • Document accurately, comprehensively, and timeously all care activities considering the legal requirements for record keeping.
  • Illustrate knowledge of the nurse specialist or midwife specialist's role in the management of professional misconduct and risks taking into consideration the institutional protocols, protocols, and ethical-legal framework.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.
  • Engage in specialist practice and show an understanding of the process of evidence-based practice.
  • Consider the appropriate methodology of gathering evidence for practice, education, and management, for example, systematic or scoping reviews, appraisal or articles, practice-based research, and publication.
  • Apply evidence-based practice, nursing education and health services management, and critical analysis of the various levels of evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.
  • Identify practice-based problems in the specialist area, share and collaboratively solve them by informed decisions and sound clinical judgement.
  • Provide appropriate and timely consultation in holistic care in a healthcare continuum.
  • Carry out appropriate and timely patient referrals as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.
  • Participate and promote, visibility of the inter-and intra-professional team and ensure that it is recognised by the members of the team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.
  • Participate in the development of policies, qualifications, and projects and illustrate understanding of the steps in and or levels of the development of policies, qualifications, and projects.
  • Participate in projects and policy development and illustrate knowledge of own role and responsibilities within the inter- and intra-professional policy or project team.
  • Advocate for the nursing profession and patients or clients, families, and communities in the specialist area.
  • Provide timely and adequate feedback to relevant stakeholders is provided as necessary.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.
  • Illustrate understanding of levels and or classification of the respective specialist units, health services or educational entities.
  • Commission tasks taking into consideration the burden of diseases and priority services as determined by current events.
  • Evaluate the existing specialist unit, health or education entity to demonstrate knowledge of guidelines for provisioning a specialist unit/health service or educational entity.
  • Engage in planning and commissioning and illustrate understanding of the role and responsibilities in this task within the inter- and intra-professional team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.
  • Illustrate knowledge of appropriate search engines and databases for review of literature to inform evidence-based practice, nursing education and health services management.
  • Apply appropriate methods to generate evidence for utilisation in specialist practice (e.g. research, systemic reviews, etc.) education and health service management.
  • Illustrate awareness of the peer-reviewed journals and sharing of evidence.
  • Actively participates in inter- and intra-professional dialogues, debates, or discourses in quality improvement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.
  • Document all data or information gathered in the context of the specialist practice, education and health services for utilisation and storage in accordance with set standards.
  • Illustrate utilisation of comprehensive data, information, and emerging evidence pertinent to the respective specialist practice.
  • Identify problems, diagnoses, and opportunities for improvement based on gathered and critically analysed assessment data from the patients/clients, families, communities, learners, or employees including current scientific evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8.
  • Illustrate understanding of the position of own specialist service within the health care system.
  • Render specialist care that integrates promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care in a healthcare continuum.
  • Formulate nursing or midwifery diagnoses that are congruent with the patient's or client's clinical manifestations or data and are based on accurate analysis and interpretation of data obtained from scientific, laboratory, diagnostic, technological and psychosocial-cultural assessment including consultation of relevant/current literature/evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9.
  • Illustrate understanding of the infrastructure and equipment needed in the specific area of specialisation.
  • Employ sound asset management principles to ensure appropriate, adequate, well-maintained, and up-to-date equipment.
  • Assign staff to nursing care taking into consideration the specialist qualification and its competencies, experience, standard nurse-patient ratios for the area of specialisation, job description and skill mix.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 10.
  • Identify practice problems in the specialist area, share and collaboratively solve them by informed decisions and sound clinical judgement.
  • Provide appropriate and timely consultation in holistic care in a healthcare continuum through awareness of one's competence.
  • Carry out patient referrals as dictated by the patient's condition appropriately and timeously and in accordance with the referral guidelines. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution name: New Castle University
    Qualification title: Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology
    Duration: 2 years
    Credits: 120

    Entry requirements:
  • Professional bachelor's degree:
    Class 2.1 (70%) or a Distinction (75%) as comparable to 2.1
    Class 2.2 (60%) or a High Pass is comparable to 2.2
    And
  • Working in the healthcare profession or related field.

    Purpose/Rationale
    PGDip is for professionals working in healthcare and related fields. These fields include public health and cancer research. Learners will appraise current approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment that can be applied to clinical management plans. Learners will learn the basics of research in oncology. There will be opportunities to further develop research skills in a dissertation.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Clinical Research Statistics, comparable to Research for Evidence-Based Practice.
  • Introduction to Qualitative Research
  • Developments in Diagnostic Imaging in Oncology
  • Palliative Care Themes and Perspectives
  • Ethical Dimensions of Cancer/Palliative Care, comparable to Quality in Oncology and Palliative Nursing.
  • Contemporary Issues in Palliative Care Practice: Management of Symptoms (Other Than Pain) in Advanced Diseases
  • Multiprofessional Management of Cancer

    Similarities:
  • The New Castle University (NCU) and the South African (SA) qualifications both accept learners who have completed professional bachelor's degrees in the relevant field.
  • The NCU aims to appraise current approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment that can be applied to clinical management plans and learners will learn the basics of research in oncology.
  • Similarly, the SA qualification aims to enable the Oncology and Palliative Nurse Specialist to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in their field or discipline.
  • Both qualifications consist of 120 credits.
  • Both qualifications undertake a special focus on the research methodology in oncology, with further similar module focus on Clinical Research Statistics, Research for Evidence-Based Practice, Ethical Dimensions of Cancer/Palliative Care and Quality in Oncology and Palliative Nursing.

    Differences:
  • The NCU is offered over two years part-time, and the SA qualification is offered over one year.

    Country: Australia
    Institution name: The University of Adelaide
    Qualification title: Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Oncology Nursing)
    Duration: One year

    Entry requirements:
  • Bachelor of nursing degree or equivalent.
    And
  • Have at least one year's experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken.

    Purpose/Rationale
    This qualification will be suited to nurses currently practising oncology nursing who want to build their competencies for senior positions in the area. It's focused on best practices for supporting cancer patients and their families and friends. Courses are delivered online with only one two-day campus workshop per semester, so the program is ideal for rural or remote nurses.

    Qualification structure
    Modules:
  • Haematology/Oncology Nursing Practice
  • Research Literacy, comparable
  • Knowledge Translation
  • Professional Practice, comparable to Oncology Nursing Principles and Practice.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Adelaide (UA) and the South African (SA) qualifications are both offered over one year.
  • Both qualifications accept learners who have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree and are registered nurses.
  • The UA qualification is focused on best practices for supporting cancer patients and their families and friends.
  • The SA qualification aims to develop a nurse specialist who will use expert knowledge to enhance patient care.
  • Both qualifications share similar graduate attributes, with the SA qualification seeking to enable the learner to function as a leader who is clinically focused, service-orientated; autonomous and an innovative nurse specialist who can render comprehensive, scientific oncology and palliative nursing care, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.
  • The UA qualification aims to produce learners with specific graduate attributes such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, professionalism and leadership readiness and Teamwork and communication skills.
  • Both qualifications vertically articulate into a master's degree in the relevant field. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Medical Oncology, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Forensic Medicine, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Medicines Development, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Critical Care, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing Science: Research, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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.
     
    1. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 


    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.