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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
78803 | National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Task Team - Occupational Health & Safety (Medical) | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
National Certificate | Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services | Preventive Health | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 130 | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | Regular-Unit Stds Based |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered" |
SAQA 0486/10 | 2010-06-02 | 2013-06-02 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2013-06-02 | 2015-06-02 |
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 replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
60249 | National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 142 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
This qualification is intended for the first responder as a member of a primary response emergency team. A primary emergency includes rescue, fire, hazardous materials incidents and health emergency incidents or accidents. This qualification enables the first responder in the workplace, community or in the emergency services to respond knowledgeably and appropriately. Learners credited with this qualification will be able to: All practical activities required throughout the qualification are expected to be carried out in terms of current recognised first aid protocols/procedures and universal precautions. Rationale: This qualification is aimed at assisting all practitioners in primary emergency care/first aid to respond competently and will provide the increased capacity for the following existing categories of workers: Qualified learners will be able to increase their earning capabilities, and access various aligned learning pathways such as first aid instruction, ancillary health care in communities and as care-givers, emergency care, disaster management and occupational health and safety at NQF Level 4. The impact of this qualification on the emergency coping capacity of communities is vast. Primary response emergency care is the focus for several non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, commercial emergency services, training service providers and closed corporations, with the express purpose of serving and training communities to increase their coping capacity with essential skills that would otherwise not be available. Heavy, chemical and mining industries would benefit greatly from the knowledge and skills obtained through this qualification. A further dimension to this qualification is that it helps to equip additional community members to cope effectively in disaster situations and also contributes to the possible workforce for disaster managers. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Learning assumed to be in place:
Existing competence in the following unit standards is strongly recommended: Access to the qualification: Qualifying learners are required to be at least eighteen years of age in order to meet government regulations related to the skills required in the qualification. For the maximum safety of both learner and victim, the learner must be physically able to meet the physical requirements for lifting and carrying and/or evacuating the sick, the injured and equipment. Recognition of Prior Learning: This qualification can be achieved wholly, or in part, through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The learner seeking RPL must meet the requirements agreed to between the provider and the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, portfolios including reports, testimonials, evidence of mentoring, work records and performance appraisals. The applicant will be assessed in terms of the specific outcomes and related assessment criteria. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Communicate effectively to provide care and support for all in need in an emergency situation.
2. Respond appropriately in a variety of primary response emergency situations. 3. Participate effectively as a functioning member of a primary response emergency team. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: This qualification addresses the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes, as detailed in the associated unit standards: |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
1.1 Information from texts, patient histories and examinations is collated and applied according to the requirements of the specific context. 1.2 Communications with all those involved are positive, supportive and constructive. 1.3 Reactions of people arising from a traumatic event are appropriately assessed and responded to in accordance with the appropriate cultural practices. 1.4 All communications must demonstrate sensitivity towards diversity in individuals. Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 2: 2.1 The immediate emergency accident/incident scene is assessed and managed according to accepted procedures/protocols. 2.2 An ability to identify and adapt care to meet cultural, spiritual and ethnic differences is demonstrated. 2.3 Recommended actions are in accordance with accepted hygiene standards/universal precautions. 2.4 The appropriate technical rescue service is initiated and the scene managed safely until professionals arrive. 2.5 The ability to make ethical decisions in emergency care situations is demonstrated. Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3: 3.1 The ability to work effectively is demonstrated, within the defined roles and functions of a first responder member of a primary emergency team. 3.2 Cultural differences are taken into account without compromising safety of self and others. 3.3 The activation of reactionary teams from in-bound and out-bound call centres to emergency accidents/incidents is appropriately implemented. 3.4 Strategies are applied to maintain on-going personal health and safety. Integrated Assessment: Learners may be credited for individual unit standards as and when they can demonstrate that they can achieve the required competencies. Workplace experience may be recognised when assessing this qualification. A range of formative and summative methods may be used in assessing learners, which may include: Assessment should be carried out at regular intervals as well as at the end of the periods of study and should be offered in an integrated manner. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
This qualification and the components for this qualification have been compared with other countries of both developed and developing economies. Primary Emergency Care/First Aid is taught as short courses in many countries but there is no full qualification at this level such as is proposed here. This Qualification bridges the gap between the traditional Primary Emergency Care/First Aid and the first responder care required to meet emergency needs in rural areas, inaccessible areas, major industries, sea and air and disaster situations. Countries such as India, Cuba, Brazil, Uganda, China and Botswana have not yet developed any courses or qualifications for emergency medical care. Countries such as Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America seem to have more structured courses, but none seem to be at National level.
Canada: In Canada the scope of practice of Paramedics is described by the National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP) for Paramedics document developed by the Paramedic Association of Canada. Most providers that work in ambulances will be identified as 'Paramedics'. However, in many cases, the most prevalent level of emergency prehospital care is that which is provided by the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). This is a level of practice recognised under the NOCP, although unlike the next 3 successive levels of practice, the EMR is not specifically considered a Paramedic, per se. The high number of EMRs across Canada contribute a critical role in the chain of survival, although it is a level of practice that is least clinically comprehensive and is also generally not consistent with any medical acts beyond advanced first-aid, with the exception of automated external defibrillation (AED) which is still considered a regulated medical act in most Provinces in Canada. Regulatory frameworks vary from Province to Province, and include direct government regulation, such as Ontario's method of giving its practitioners the title of Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA), to professional self-regulating bodies, such as the Alberta College of Paramedics. Although the title of Paramedic is a generic description of a category of practitioners, Provincial variability in regulatory methods accounts for ongoing differences in actual titles ascribed to different levels of practitioners. For example, the Province of Alberta uses the title "Emergency Medical Technician", or 'EMT' for the Primary Care Paramedic and that of "Paramedic" only for those qualified as Advanced Care Paramedics who provide advanced life support (ALS). However, almost all Provinces are gradually moving to adopting the new titles, or have at least recognised the NOCP document as a bench-marking document to permit inter-Provincial labour mobility of practitioners, regardless of how titles are specifically regulated within their own Provincial systems. Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) are the entry-level of paramedic practice in Canadian Provinces. The scope of practice includes performing semi-automated external defibrillation, interpretation of 4-lead or 12 lead ECG's, depending on the area, administration of Symptom Relief Medication for a variety of emergency medical conditions (including oxygen, epinephrine, glucagon salbutamol, acetlysalicycic acid (aspirin) and nitroglycerine), performing trauma immobilisation (including cervical immobilisation), and other fundamental basic medical care. Primary Care Paramedics may also receive additional training in order to perform certain skills that are normally in the scope of practice of Advanced Care Paramedics. This is regulated both Provincially (by Statute) and locally (by the Medical Director), and ordinarily entails an aspect of medical oversight by a specific body or group of physicians. This is often referred to as Medical Control, and may also be provided by a base hospital. For example, in the Province of Ontario many paramedic services allow Primary Care Paramedics to perform 12-lead ECG interpretation, or initiate intravenous therapy to deliver a few additional medications, such as 50% Dextrose. Paramedic training in Canada is intense, as Paramedics are seen as health professionals, equal in importance to, inter alia, nurses, respiratory therapists and cardiac perfusionists. Nevertheless, the nature of training and how it is regulated, like actual paramedic practice, varies from Province to Province. Primary Care training varies regionally in length from, e.g., three months British Columbia to three years in Quebec. Ireland: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a legally defined title in Republic of Ireland, based on the standard set down by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Council (PHECC). EMT is the entry-level standard of practitioner for employment within the ambulance service. Currently, EMTs are authorised to work on non-emergency ambulances only because the standard for emergency calls is a minimum of a two-paramedic crew. EMTs are a vital part of the voluntary and auxiliary services where a practitioner must be on board any ambulance in the process of transporting a patient to hospital. PHECC Responder Levels: PHECC Practitioner Levels: United Kingdom (UK): The UK has no legal definition of an emergency medical technician, more frequently called an ambulance technician. There is no legal requirement to have any particular qualification, or indeed, any qualification at all. This is in contrast to the higher Paramedic level which is protected in law, and the inappropriate usage of the title can lead to prosecution. The most widely recognised qualification for a technician is the Institute of Healthcare Development (IHCD) Ambulance Technician qualification, which has been used by every National Health Service (NHS) ambulance service. It has also been offered by a number of universities as part of a pre-hospital care course. This qualification generally takes approximately three months to complete, including three weeks of driver training. It is split into five modules, of which two are driving-related and three focus on clinical care. The higher paramedic qualification involves three additional modules. There are many private companies also offering courses with titles of emergency medical technician or ambulance technician, with lengths ranging from five days to several weeks, as well as other courses such as the Pre-Hospital Care course accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for which is awarded the "Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Certificate". These courses are not recognised by the statutory ambulance services, and any person moving from a private company to the NHS would be required to take an IHCD qualification. These private service technicians are most likely to work in patient transport, or as medical cover for public or private events. They may provide contracted work to the statutory ambulance service, usually as second-line support units, although they may in some circumstances and respond to emergency calls. United States of America (USA): In the USA, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are certified according to their level of training. Individual States set their own standards of certification or licensure, and all EMT training must meet the minimum requirements as set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) standards for curriculum. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a private organization which offers certification examinations based on NHTSA education guidelines. Currently, NREMT examinations are used by 46 States as the sole basis for certification at one or more EMT certification levels. The NHTSA recognises four levels of EMTs: Some States also recognize the Advanced Practice or Critical Care Paramedic level as a State-specific licensure above that of the Paramedic. In addition, EMTs can seek out specialty certifications such a, Wilderness Paramedic and Flight Paramedic. EMTs and paramedics use special equipment, such as back boards, to immobilise patients before placing them on stretchers and securing them in the ambulance for transport to a medical facility. These workers generally work in teams. During the transport of a patient, one EMT or Paramedic drives, while the other monitors the patient's vital signs and gives additional care as needed. Some Paramedics work as part of a helicopter flight crew to quickly transport critically ill or injured patients to hospital trauma centres. At the medical facility, EMTs and Paramedics help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and may also provide additional emergency treatment. After each run, EMTs and Paramedics document the trip, replace used supplies and check equipment. If a transported patient has a contagious disease, EMTs and Paramedics decontaminate the interior of the ambulance and report cases to the proper authorities. EMTs and Paramedics also provide transportation for patients from one medical facility to another, particularly if they work for private ambulance services. Patients often need to be transferred to a hospital that specialises in treating their injury or illness or to facility that provides long-term care. Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and Paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies emergency medical service providers at five levels: Some States, however, have their own certification programmes and use distinct names and titles. The EMT-Basic represents the first response of the emergency medical system. An EMT trained at this level is prepared to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under the direction of more highly trained medical personnel. The EMT-Basic has the emergency skills to assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. The EMT-Intermediate has more advanced training. However, the specific tasks that those certified at this level are allowed to perform varies greatly from State to State. China: The past events of the severe, acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 and the Beijing Olympic Games mark China as an important country in terms of its emergency medicine system. China is a developing country whose emergency medicine system is also in its early development. While prehospital emergency care is an important part of the emergency medicine system in China, it does not share the same high priority as other health professions. China's Ministry of Health established a National Medical Emergency Training Centre (NMETC) in Shanghai Medical Emergency Centre in 1993. This NMETC also train staff members who work in the prehospital emergency care system all over China. Participants have included transport drivers, transport policemen, fire fighters, university students, as well as doctors and nurses working in the emergency departments of hospitals or in prehospital care. The short term training duration varies between different groups of participants, e.g., approximately 66 hours for doctors and nurses, and 40 hours for others. The NMETC has trained approximately 1800 personnel over the past six years. Kenya: The Kenyan Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment plus Admission Care (ETAT+) is a 5 day course, expanding the scope of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) original ETAT course. (Triage is a process of prioritising patients based on the severity of their individual conditions. It allows the most severely injured/ill to be treated first-based on the probable expectation of survival if treated. It derives from the French word meaning to separate, sort, sift or select). ETAT+ is aimed at all health workers providing initial care in a typical African hospital setting and offers training in the following areas: The course aims to provide training in line with international best practice and uses well-established teaching methods employed by the European Resuscitation Council. This includes end-of-course theory and practical examinations. The course was developed in 2006 by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in collaboration with the Division of Child Health in the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the University of Nairobi. It has also received support from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) and from WHO. Botswana: All emergency services in Botswana are run by private organisations, staffed by professional personnel who have received their training outside of Botswana. MRI Botswana (Ltd) is the leading provider of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Botswana. Conclusion: There is no known qualification at the equivalent Level in any other country that offers emergency care training. All full qualifications are at a higher Level and training that is offered at the same Level takes the form of short courses that vary in length from several hours to several months. This qualification has been developed for South Africa to suit the requirements of the holistic and comprehensive health care and delivery services offered here. As the content of this Qualification makes it applicable in countries with both developed and developing economies, it may well be used by any other country, on any of the Continents, offering emergency care training. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification articulates vertically with:
This qualification articulates horizontally with: |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification or against any of the unit standards that make up this qualification must:
All moderation must be carried out by moderators accredited by and in accordance with the requirements of the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. Any provider wishing to offer this qualification or of the associated unit standards that make up this qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. |
NOTES |
This qualification replaces qualification 60249, "National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies", Level 3, 142 credits. |
UNIT STANDARDS: |
ID | UNIT STANDARD TITLE | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS | |
Core | 116987 | Apply active listening skills in the care and support environment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Core | 254223 | Apply emergency scene safety measures | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Core | 13884 | Apply in-bound and out-bound Contact Centre operations within an emergency context | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 16 |
Core | 120331 | Demonstrate knowledge pertaining to fires in working places | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 254217 | Describe evacuation procedures for all affected persons and movable critical resources/effects | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 244578 | Describe how to manage reactions arising from a traumatic event | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Core | 254219 | Describe the holistic care and support for the patient, family and/or significant others at a scene of death | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Core | 254214 | Describe the role(s) and functions of a team member within an emergency team. | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 262449 | Devise strategies for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Core | 116490 | Identify key ethical values for human conduct | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Core | 254215 | Maintain and operate a range of emergency equipment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Core | 254218 | Manage mentally ill patients in an emergency | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 254221 | Prevent musculoskeletal injuries to self during lifting and carrying activities | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 3 |
Core | 376480 | Provide first aid as an advanced first responder | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Core | 260597 | Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Core | 254216 | Recognise hazards at technical rescue incidents and initiate the appropriate rescue process | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119472 | Accommodate audience and context needs in oral/signed communication | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9010 | Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Fundamental | 9013 | Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Fundamental | 119457 | Interpret and use information from texts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9012 | Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119078 | Use a GUI-based word processor to enhance a document through the use of tables and columns | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119467 | Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 7456 | Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119465 | Write/present/sign texts for a range of communicative contexts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Elective | 260497 | Participate in health promotion activities | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 8 |
Elective | 254222 | Demonstrate stress management techniques as a self-help tool | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Elective | 260558 | Identify and refer an abused person | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Elective | 244584 | Investigate ways of contributing towards community development | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Elective | 119725 | Provide support to victims of sexual offences | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 4 |
Elective | 120329 | Respond to, implement and manage emergencies according to an emergency action plan in a workplace | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. |