SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
125557  Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care 
ORIGINATOR
Maritzburg Emergency College 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  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 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0638/26  2026-03-10  2029-03-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-03-10   2033-03-10  

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 Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care serves as an entry level into the emergency medical care profession. It will provide qualifying learners with an opportunity to function effectively in the ambulance serving communities from various environments such as rural, urban, and industrial areas. The qualification is designed to produce healthcare professionals with the fundamental knowledge, skills, applied competence, and professional attributes required for rendering quality emergency medical care in a supervised capacity to diverse communities within a South African context.

This qualification will be particularly useful for:
  • Individuals wishing to enter the emergency care profession.
  • Existing basic ambulance assistants.
  • Existing ambulance emergency assistants.
  • Existing operational emergency care orderlies.
  • School leavers.
  • The unemployed.

    This qualification develops the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to form the basis for practice in the ambulance and emergency medical care environment.

    On completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Use effective communication systems within emergency care and/or rescue services.
  • Apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour, and the legal framework to the context within which Emergency Care Assistants operate while maintaining personal health, physical preparedness, wellness, and safety.
  • Examine the structure and function of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems in South Africa and how they relate to the broader health care structures within the country.
  • Provide appropriate and contextually relevant emergency medical care and rescue services to all sectors of the community.

    Rationale:
    This qualification will produce clinical assistants who will operate in the emergency medical and rescue environments. The qualification will develop the necessary foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes that form the basis for further study in the field of prehospital emergency medical care and progressions within the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF).

    The qualification further addresses the Department of Health 2030 Plan for the upskilling and progression of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff. The qualification aims to promote a multi-disciplinary approach to effective, efficient patient care within the emergency services and also provides an entry point into the career pathway, thereby creating access and an opportunity for employment within the EMS field.

    This qualification will also facilitate access to mobility and progression within emergency care education and training and allow for career pathing, lifelong learning, and professional development within the health sciences and related domains.

    Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners are eligible to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as Emergency Care Assistants to practice within a supervised practice category with clinical capabilities as determined by the Professional Board for Emergency Care (PBEC). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    An institutional RPL policy shall be applied to accommodate applicants with related emergency medical care certificate who are registered with the professional board for emergency care and have acceptable level of experience. RPL shall provide alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
    Applicants 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, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    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.
    A maximum of 10% of a cohort of learners in a qualification should be admitted through an RPL process.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Senior Certificate (SC), NQF Level 4, without endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • Completion of an appropriate Short Learning Programme (SLP) registered through a recognized Higher Education Institution. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Foundations of Professional Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Mental Health and Wellness, 8 Credits.
  • End User Computing, 8 Credits.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology, 16 Credits.
  • Physics, 8 Credits.
  • Chemistry, 8 Credits.
  • Emergency Medical Care Theory, 15 Credits.
  • Emergency Medical Care Practical, 15 Credits.
  • Clinical Practice, 30 Credits.
  • Physical Preparedness, 0 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate effective communication and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which Emergency Care Assistants operate while maintaining personal health, physical preparedness, wellness and safety.
    2. Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems in South Africa and how they relate to the broader health care structures within the country.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human and basic sciences underpinning emergency care.
    4. Provide emergency medical care within an emergency medical service environment to all sectors of the community within the Emergency Care Assistant's scope of practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Communicate accurately with patients, colleagues, and other service providers and use professional terminology appropriate for the modality, including electronic media.
  • Undertake interactions with human dignity and due sensitivity to promote ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, and gender diversity.
  • Apply the ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice, truth-telling, promise-keeping, and confidentiality correctly in all contexts.
  • Align all clinical interactions and related practices with the provisions and rules of the codes of ethics of the HPCSA and professional associations.
  • Use accurate and comprehensive explanations of the legal framework within which an emergency service provider and/ or Emergency Care Assistant operates.
  • Discuss comprehensively the importance of mental health and wellness on the part of the emergency care provider comprehensively, highlighting their role and importance, with reference to the impact on job effectiveness.
  • Identify, describe, and apply suitable methods for achieving and maintaining operational fitness in terms of lifestyle, diet, and exercise techniques, highlighting the impact on self and job effectiveness.
  • Render emergency care at an appropriate level of physical health and physical preparedness, inclusive of swimming proficiency.
  • Identify, demonstrate, and apply methods for maintaining personal safety through appropriate risk assessment, scene assessment, decision-making, and option taking.
  • Describe and demonstrate safe and effective lifting, carrying, and movement of patients.
  • Describe and demonstrate safe and effective use of emergency service vehicles and emergency response driving.
  • Conduct correctly operational routines in an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) environment, by correctly and comprehensively conducting kit inspections and completing vehicle checklists.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Accurately describe EMS in terms of structure, role and function, both public and private, within the South African context.
  • Explain the interdependence and interrelationships occurring between EMS and other Allied Emergency and Health Care structures.
  • Explain the role of the health care team in terms of key responsibilities of each role and the relationships between each role.
  • Identify and explain National legislation as applicable to emergency care and rescue services.
  • Explain and apply accurately multi-disciplinary approaches to emergency care and rescue scenarios.
  • Identify the broad operational needs of a South African Emergency Service.
  • Explain factors influencing policy and operation of the emergency care and/or rescue services.
  • Apply general problem-solving and decision-making techniques to identify and address operational problem areas in the context of ambulance operations.
  • Identify and discuss aspects of labour legislation and labour practice applicable to the Emergency Medical Services.
  • Explain and demonstrate the principles of disaster management as applicable to the Emergency Care Assistant.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Accurately describe the composition, general form, spatial orientation and position of structures within the regions of the human body and integrate them within a clinical context.
  • Explain the physiological functioning of the human body and integrate it into patient care.
  • Explain and apply key principles of physics and chemistry to emergency medical care.
  • Describe accurately and comprehensively the drugs used within the scope of practice of the

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Correctly identify potential hazards within the emergency service environment in terms of their origins, impact and means of management or mitigation.
  • Describe emergency medical care equipment in terms of function, storage, maintenance, and safe use.
  • Discuss and implement infection control in line with established procedures.
  • Correctly integrate clinical skills and procedures into patient care, according to the ECA scope of practice.
  • Describe and demonstrate the principles of primary health care, disease prevention, health promotion and counselling within the context of Emergency Medical Care.
  • Discuss the promotion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) awareness among people in the immediate environment.
  • Analyse the general role of an Emergency Care Assistant within the primary health care system.
  • Perform clinical assessment and clinical decision-making in line with the scope of practice of an Emergency Care Assistant.
  • Provide management and treatment for minor injuries and minor ailments in specific controlled circumstances.
  • Render emergency care support to the sick or injured individual, groups and the community with due consideration to the scope of practice of an Emergency Care Assistant.
  • Apply clinical skills listed within the Emergency Care Assistant scope of practice, in a simulated environment.
  • Differentiate between an emergency care and primary health care situation and apply contextually appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment in the management of the situation, within the ECA scope of practice and capabilities.
  • Conduct accurate and effective patient handover in line with local protocols and procedures.
  • Compile and keep medical records that provide sufficient and accurate details of patient information concerning emergency care treatment.
  • Reflect on and critique own clinical competence and practice to reach a fair and realistic conclusion regarding own clinical competence using Gibb's cycle reflective framework.
  • Provide appropriate and contextually relevant clinical advice that will enhance the prevention of further injury or ill health, within the confines of the ECA scope of practice.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated assessment takes the form of an appropriate variety of assessment methods, for example:
  • Written and oral examinations.
  • Problem-solving assignments.
  • Projects.
  • Presentations.
  • Case studies.
  • Portfolios.
  • Logbooks.
  • Clinical reports.
  • Objectively structured clinical examination.
  • Reflective practice journals.
  • Simulated medical scenarios.

    A continuous assessment strategy shall be implemented with class tests, formal formative and summative assessments.

    Formative assessment:
    Class test shall be used for continuous monitoring of learner progress. Formative assessments shall assist learners with building towards the year mark.
    Formative assessment weighting = 40%

    Summative assessment;
    Summative assessments shall be used to determine final learner competence in both theoretical knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills demonstration.
    Summative assessment = 50%

    WIL = 10% 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following countries offer qualifications that are closely comparable to the South African Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care:

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Deakin University
    Qualification title: Graduate Certificate of Emergency Nursing
    Duration: 1 year (part-time)

    Entry requirements:
  • Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions or restrictions.
  • Evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in a collaborating hospital within Australia, working in a relevant speciality practice area with appropriate clinical supervision.

    Purpose/Rationale:The Graduate Certificate of Emergency Nursing builds on the learner's existing knowledge and skills, preparing the learner to practise effectively at an advanced practice level in emergency care settings.

    Upon the completion of this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • The learner will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality, expert clinical decision-making abilities within an interdisciplinary team.
  • Assess, prioritise, and manage ill and injured patients of all ages.
  • Apply the principles, and concepts of patient assessment, triage, and risk assessment and management in a complex and dynamic practice setting.
  • Assess and manage the care of specific patient groups: paediatrics, major and minor trauma, mental health, gynaecological, obstetric, oncology, and older persons.
  • Develop the decision-making autonomy, critical thinking and leadership skills, advanced clinical judgement and behaviours required for safe patient care, effective teamwork, and career advancement.

    Modules:
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin.
  • Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing.
  • Emergency Nursing.

    Similarities:
  • Both the Australian and South African qualifications are offered for a period of one year.
  • Both the Australian and South African qualifications have similar exit level outcomes.

    Differences:
  • The Australian qualification requires a qualifying learn to be registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions or restrictions, whereas the South African qualification does not require the qualifying learner to be registered with SANC.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Cumbia
    Qualification title: Certificate HE (Higher Education) in Pre-hospital Emergency Care
    Duration: 1 year
    Credits: 120 Credits

    Entry requirements:
  • GCSE English Language and Maths at C/4 or above or equivalent qualification.
  • CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B.
  • OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: DMM.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    This qualification has been co-created with ambulance partners to provide an alternative route into the ambulance service, where the learner will be supported by the university to develop the appropriate skills and knowledge to access employment.

    Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will be able:
  • Granted the first year (120 credits) of a BSc Paramedic Science degree and will be offered a role as an emergency care assistant with the South Western Ambulance Service (subject to pre-employment checks).
  • Within 12-18 months of completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner will be offered a place on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Degree Level Apprenticeship, which will complete the learner's paramedic training, enabling them to qualify as a paramedic.

    Formative/summative assessment:
    Formative assessment
    Formative assessment is an important feature within the qualification and may include in-class or online activities such as research diaries, assignments and tests. The qualification ensures summative assessments that are designed to provide a creative and balanced strategy throughout the qualification.

    Summative assessment
    The summative assessments all relate to the working environment of an ambulance service, enabling the learner to take their assessed learning into the practice environment to optimise the provision of patient care.

    Similarities:
  • Both the United Kingdom and South African qualifications are offered for a period of one year with 12 Credits.
  • Both the United Kingdom and South African qualifications have similar formative assessment, highlighting the use of assignments and tests to assess the learner.

    Conclusion:
    Both the international qualification, to which the SA qualification is being compared, align well with the SA qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Nursing, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Healthcare Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Health Care Services Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Occupational Certificate: Medical Equipment Maintainer, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Occupational Certificate: Medical Equipment Maintainer, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Environmental Health, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Medical Rescue, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Health Management, NQF Level 6.

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

    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.
     
    1. Maritzburg Emergency College 


    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.