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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in HIV and Aids 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97054  Postgraduate Diploma in HIV and Aids 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Preventive 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-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 qualification is designed to develop professionals that:
  • Can act as consultants and leaders within the field of HIV/AIDS.
  • Are innovative and mirrors critical and scientific reasoning.
  • Are highly skilled and accountable in the field of HIV and AIDS Health Care, to function within the nursing profession on a national and international level.

    Rationale:
    South Africa is estimated to be the country having the largest number of people living with HIV and AIDS. The majority of professional nurses in South Africa need to gain in-depth knowledge on HIV and AIDS and the treatment and care of patients with the disease. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • The academic and practical knowledge and skills required to perform the functions of a registered nurse.
  • Communication at NQF Level 6.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
  • A Recognition of Prior Learning Policy ensures the inclusion of learners who could benefit from the qualification and who might receive credit for learning already done.
  • According to the regulations prior learning is recognised by portfolio presentations, tests and/or examinations, clinical skills tests and/or Objective Structured Clinical Evaluations (OSCE). Assessment of Recognition of Prior Learning is performed according to the assessment policies of both the Institution and the School of Nursing.

    Entry Requirements:
    To register for this qualification a generic Degree or Diploma in nursing is required. Learners must also be registered as general nurses with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) or any other recognised council. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 132 Credits:

    Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 8, 132 Credits:
  • Health Care and the Law, 12 Credits.
  • Pharmacology, 12 Credits.
  • Health Care Management, 12 Credits.
  • Professional Practice, 12 Credits.
  • HIV and AIDS Health Care, 32 Credits.
  • HIV and AIDS Health Care Practical, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate basic knowledge of HIV and AIDS into professional practice.
    2. Apply basic counselling principles and skills within, as well as across-cultural boundaries, during pre-and post-test counselling and during counselling of children.
    3. Understand the progression of the HIV disease and apply the basic principles of HIV treatment.
    4. Act ethically and within legal parameters when rendering care to a HIV positive client. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS by incorporating relevant theoretical knowledge in practical situations.
  • Solve problems related to HIV and AIDS care by thinking critically, questioning assumptions and actively seeking solutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate effective counselling skills.
  • Basic counselling principles and skills are implemented with sensitivity to adults and children of diverse cultural backgrounds during Clinical assessment and clinical placement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the progression and treatment of an HIV positive client.
  • Perform a clinical assessment of a patient.
  • Identify and solve problems related to clinic and home-based care for HIV affected persons.
  • Utilise community services to assist patients.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate date to report on patient drug readiness.
  • Work effectively with others to develop a care plan for HIV affected persons.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Act as an advocate for patients and protect their human rights.
  • Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information when reflecting on clinical visits.
  • Record data and nursing actions in compliance with prescribed legal criteria.
  • Understand the ethical/legal issues regarding an HIV positive client.
  • Take responsibility and be accountable for their own actions in an ethical manner.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative Assessment will be done through:
  • Tests.
  • Assignments.
  • Workbooks.
  • Role plays.
  • Group discussions.
  • Clinical assessments.
  • Case studies.
  • Reflection reports.
  • Debates.

    Summative Assessment:

    Summative Assessment will be done through:
  • Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).
  • Written examinations 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Content of modules was compared with existing qualifications offered internationally as reflected on relevant internet sites. This qualification compares with similar international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of HIV and HIV Aids, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    1. University of the Free State 


    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.