New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4)

(Advanced Care and Support)
120 credits, 36 weeks

Programme aim

This programme aims to equip individuals aspiring to work in health or wellbeing settings with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver patient-centric care. It focuses on treating patients with complex needs and their families or whānau with the utmost respect, responsiveness, and consideration for their preferences, conditions, and values.

The curriculum emphasises and develops key competencies in leadership within the healthcare environment and underscores principles of person-centred and relationship-centred care. These principles include respect, emotional support, physical comfort, effective communication, care coordination, involvement of family and caregivers, and access to care, all tailored with cultural competence.

The community stands to gain from the high-quality health and wellbeing services delivered by trained professionals. These individuals will be capable of interacting with and supporting people, whānau and/or family from diverse ethnic, cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Graduates from this programme will be equipped to work under general guidance and may also be responsible for overseeing the performance of others.

Targeting both domestic and international students, this programme is ideal for those who aspire to become healthcare workers or caregivers in settings such as dementia units, aged residential care, or home and community support. This programme is also ideal for graduates who aspire to become experienced or senior support workers and team leaders in residential, home, and community settings.

Structure and content: The programme comprises seven (7) compulsory modules:

• Module 1: Engagement in Personal Care (15 credits)

• Module 2: Maori and Pacific People Health and Wellbeing (15 credits)

• Module 3: Collaborative work in Health and Wellbeing setting (10 credits)

• Module 4: Clinical Care (20 credits)

• Module 5: Caring for people with complex conditions  (20 credits)

• Module 6: Leadership Skills (20 credits)

• Module 7: Workplace Experience (20 credits)

Programme outcomes:

Upon completion of the programme, learners are able to:

• Formulate and carry out plans with members of a multi-disciplinary team and the whānau and/or family of a person with complex needs to support their health and wellbeing.

• Carry out tasks and responsibilities in a health and/or wellbeing setting within Aotearoa in a culturally appropriate manner.

• Provide person-centred care that is respectful of and responsive to the individual’s preferences, needs, and values, ensuring they guide all clinical care and decisions.

• Provide person-centred care that does not vary in quality because of personal characteristics such as ethnicity, geographic location or socioeconomic status.

• Establish and maintain culturally appropriate communication when providing person-centred care.

• Facilitate formal or informal mentoring and/or coaching of colleagues in a health or wellbeing setting.

Entry Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be at least 17 years old,

• Achieve NCEA Level 2 or equivalent, OR

• Have achieved the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) or equivalent qualification; OR

• Can provide evidence of employment experience within the Health and Wellbeing sector. Employment experience will be evaluated by the Academic Manager and if needed in consultation with industry experts.

• Undergo a satisfactory criminal record check. The outcome of the Police check will be kept on the applicant’s files.

• Undergo an interview with the Academic Manager to ensure their readiness and suitability for the programme.

International Students:

• International applicants are required to submit proof of their language proficiency. This proof must demonstrate that the student has successfully reached the necessary outcome in one of the global proficiency tests mentioned in the Appendix Table of the Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules 2022. Please note, this achievement should have been obtained within the two-year period before the programme's commencement date.

• For a level 4 qualification, international learners are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) General or Academic score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5.0;

Special Admission:

• Applicants aged 20 years and over who have not achieved the academic entry requirements may be eligible to be enrolled under the special admission provisions. The eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as life experiences, work experiences, and personal or professional achievements that may demonstrate potential for academic success.

Full-time

Total (weeks)  36 weeks

Teaching (weeks)  32 weeks

Direct learning hours per week  20 hours per week

Self-study learning hours  17.5 hours per week

Total hours per week  37.5 hours per week

Part-time

Total (weeks)  72 weeks

Teaching (weeks)  64 weeks

Direct learning hours per week  10 hours per week

Self-study learning hours  9 hours per week

Total hours per week  19 hours per weekTo be eligible to apply for the NZ School of Healthcare