Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose: The purpose of this qualification is to develop a learner's competencies in the knowledge, attitudes, insight, and skills required for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The qualifying learner will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures, and appropriate skills. The qualification will produce a well-rounded learner who will be capable of practicing as an orthotic and prosthetic clinician, developing and managing an orthotic or prosthetic clinic or a laboratory, or providing services as a private practitioner. The learner will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and moving the orthotic and prosthetic professions forward.
Rationale: The need for Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists was identified by the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health who approached the institution to provide this qualification to try to alleviate the huge demand for orthotic and prosthetic services in the Province and beyond. This Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics (BHSc (MOP)) will provide the much-needed human resources in the profession of Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. The Health Professions Council of South Africa has endorsed this qualification. Learners of this qualification will work independently as Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists, in either public and private sectors, for example, in hospitals where they will work as clinicians and/or private consultants at the Department of Labour as well as private consultants. The qualification will offer specialized knowledge and skills in Orthotics and Prosthetics that will enable learners to be employable nationally as well as internationally. The learning pathways available for these learners are the following: Vertically: Masters in Orthotics or Prosthetics and Rehabilitation sciences. Horizontally: Bachelor of Medical Sciences, and any other relevant Bachelor's qualifications. Learners that will either hold a Diploma (three/four years Diploma) in the areas of prosthetics, orthotics, or Orthopaedic technology or have extensive experience in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics or technical/engineering and have recommendations from their employers may apply for admission to this qualification. The Society will get specialized Medical Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Services e.g. provision of Orthoses and prostheses and rehabilitation services. Thus, the qualification will enable persons with disabilities to engage in economic activities since their mobility is enhanced with the Orthoses and Prostheses. Learners who establish private practices will create employment opportunities that will contribute to economic development.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate effective communication and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which medical orthotic and prosthetic practitioners operate while maintaining personal health, wellness and safety.
- Independently assess, prescribe, practice, supervise, evaluate and facilitate the provision of medical orthotic and prosthetic care to the community, utilising specialised strategies and technologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa and provide operational and clinical supervision within an orthotic and prosthetic environment.
- Become a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner within the medical orthotic and prosthetic profession and changing health care environments.
- Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively in the provision of optimal clinical care to patients.
- Understand the world as a set of related systems is indicated in the cultural sensitivity applied when dealing with patients, colleagues and communities.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Demonstrate professional carriage, behaviour, and attitudes in all academic and clinical settings.
- Demonstrate optimal expertise and critical knowledge in fundamental and core modules.
- Demonstrate intellectual and clinical independence while ensuring safety of self and others.
- Demonstrate awareness of the consequences of own decisions and actions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human and sciences underpinning medical orthotic and prosthetic care.
- Apply and transfer techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialized and complex contexts within the health sciences environment.
- Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative, and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems within the Health Sciences environment.
- Demonstrate competence in all applications consistently.
- Provide in-service education and training in medical orthotic and prosthetic care.
- Provide independent, specialized orthotic and prosthetic services to all appropriate sectors of the community.
- Apply management, education, and research skills during independent practice.
Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Show an understanding of the position of medical orthotics and prosthetics within the South African Health care system.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure, and function of medical orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa.
- Provide operational and clinical supervision within a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.
- Demonstrate skills and a capacity for quality assurance in a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Develop research skills and conduct research in medical orthotics and prosthetics in a multidisciplinary health care environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of the field.
- Conceptualize new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice in medical orthotics and prosthetics.
- Demonstrate research leadership and management of research and research development in an ethical and accountable manner in Health Sciences.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Collect, analyze, organize, and critically evaluate information for the assessment and treatment of patients.
- Demonstrate effective communication, using visual and language skills orally or in writing through the successful treatment or handover of patients for other services.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Demonstrate teamwork effectively by working with others and in the context of providing services effectively or moving knowledge forward.
Integrated Assessment:
- Two assessment tasks will contribute to the semester mark (DP) which contributes 60% of the final module mark, and the final examination contributes 40% of the final mark.
- Continuous assessment is used to assess learners on Experiential Learning, elective and the Research project. These Modules are assessed continuously, and thus have no examination.
- The supervisors (Preceptors) do continuous assessment of the learner and give marks for the work done. The average of these preceptor marks form the final module marks.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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