Diploma in Healthcare Studies (Level 5)

        Jumpstart your career with an International qualification in Healthcare

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Diploma in Healthcare Studies (Level 5) prepares students to deliver professional healthcare to patients in an aged care, disability or community setting – and in accordance with Tikanga Maori principles.

The Diploma in Healthcare Studies constitutes an NZQA approved 122 credit Level 5 qualification. This qualification consists of six papers in all. You need to pass in all papers to complete the qualification. The 36-week study of Diploma in Healthcare Studies provides a broad and generalist understanding, knowledge and skills in Healthcare services. The aim of this programme is to equip learners with a broad generic understanding of the core concepts in healthcare services. This programme will allow the learners to attain entry level roles and pursue further study in healthcare sector. Learners will be equipped with the soft skills and practical knowledge to meet the needs of a healthcare assistants. Graduates will also be able to work independently in familiar situations and also as part of the team under broad supervision. Certificate of Qualification Completion Certificate of qualification completion will be granted at the end of the study to learners who complete the programme successfully.

Skills acquired:

  • Nursing skills to meet a client’s personal needs
  • Assess, document and implement a plan to meet client’s needs
  • Appropriate response to loss and grief
  • Application of a health and safety plan to a particular workplace
  • Understanding the causes of intellectual disability
  • Provision of care and supervision for disabled persons
  • Application of communication techniques in a dementia setting
  • Understanding the Maori world view as well as Maori health and culture

This study is further enhanced by an introduction to management disciplines that allow AGI students to more effectively deliver programmes in elderly care, disability or community settings

Graduates will be able to meet the needs of patients in aged care, disability and community care settings. They will have knowledge of the New Zealand healthcare system including Tikanga practices to support the hauora of Maori and will have been introduced to business skills courses in preparation for future team leadership roles. (Note: This course does not lead to registration as a nurse in New Zealand.)

Assessment Methods:

A combination of work-based practical demonstrations (clinical placements) and classroom based written and practical activities.

Clinical Placement:

A key component of this programme is the completion of 150 hours clinical placement per semester in a healthcare facility.

Delivery Methods:

A series of lectures, workshops, classroom based training and practical work

Course Duration:

One-year full time study

Intakes:

February, April, July, September, November

Class Details:

  • Total class time is expected to be minimum of 20 hours per week
  • The classes will be held between 08:30 am and finish not later than 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday.
  • The classes may be held between 09:00 am and finish not later than 3:00 pm on Saturdays.
  • AGI reserves the right, due to insufficient student enrolments, staffing resource or any other matter, to cancel, reschedule, postpone classes or vary this schedule.
    • The timetable is subject to final confirmation by AGI.

    Class timetable will be provided on the Orientation day.

    Semester 1

  • US 27833 - Support people to use assistive equipment and move in a health, disability, or aged care context.
  • US20826 - Describe infection control requirements in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US23386 - Support a person to meet personal care needs in a health or wellbeing setting
  • US23391 - Respond to loss and grief in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US23382 - Support a person to participate as a member of the community in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US15299 - Explain the principles and concepts of Hauora based on a Maori world view
  • US16870 - Describe intellectual disability and the support needs of a person with an intellectual disability.
  • US15304 - Identify and analyse the impacts of whakama and their implications on Hauora outcomes.
  • US15189 - Implement a health and safety plan for a workplace
  • US560 - Business Communication

    Semester 2

  • US24657 - Develop a support plan with a person in a health, disability, or community setting.
  • US24661 - Demonstrate knowledge of disability and aging in local and international contexts.
  • US15307 - Analyse and explain the impacts of colonisation on Hauora for Maori and one other indigenous people.
  • US23920 - Describe dementia, support, and safe practice to support people living with dementia in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US23921 - Provide person-centred support to people living with dementia in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US23922 - Manage the effects of providing support for people living with
  • US23923 - Demonstrate knowledge of behaviour presented by people living with dementia in a health or wellbeing setting.
  • US530 - Organisation and Management

    • Course Content

    The following subjects are covered in detail under the Level 5 Healthcare Diploma – Infection Control, Muscular-Skeletal Care, Loss and Grief, Personal Care Needs, Health and Safety, Dementia, Support, Disability and Aging, Maori Healthcare and Business Management.

    Semester One:

    In Semester One of the Diploma in Healthcare Studies - Level 5 students will demonstrate knowledge of muscular – skeletal care and handle people safely in a health or disability setting. They will also be able to support a person to participate as a member of the community in a health or disability setting and to meet their personal care needs in a health or disability setting.

    They will be able to communicate information effectively in a specified workplace.

    They will be able to participate in groups/teams. Students will be able to co-ordinate planning of the family meeting or whanau hui; the welcome and hospitality for the family meeting or whanau hui. They will be able to respond to loss and grief in a health, disability, or community setting. Students will learn to analyse and explain whakama, mana, kaitiakitanga, colonization and their implications on Hauora outcomes.

    Semester Two:

    In Semester Two of Diploma in Healthcare Studies - Level 5 students will demonstrate knowledge of dementia, person-centered care and communication with a person living with dementia. They will learn to provide person- centered care when supporting a person living with dementia. They will demonstrate knowledge of effects of dementia and how to manage them, for those caring for a person living with dementia.

    Students will be able to implement a health & safely plan for a workplace. They will research & analyze Maori health in Aotearoa from 1919 to the present day & Hauora methods of conflict. Students will learn about the development of management theories & functions, social responsibilities & work ethics. Students will develop competence in problem solving, decision making & delegation of duties in healthcare organization. They will learn about management communication, motivation& management changes.

    Entry Requirements

    Applicants may be required to participate in an interview. Final acceptance into the course is subject to the approval of the Principal.

  • Domestic applicants must have: NCEA (Level 2), or applicants who have achieved a total of 80 credits of which 60 credits are at level 2 or above. Adults over the age of 20 years who do not have the minimum entry requirements may be admitted subject to an interview and final approval of the Principal.


  • International applicants who have English as second language, requirements include a demonstrated competence in English either by achieving a minimum of 8 NCEA literacy credits at level 2 or higher in English (4 credits must be in reading and 4 credits must be in writing), or an IELTS test result of at least 5.5. Applicants with English language proficiency of IELTS 5.0 with no band lower than 5.0 may be considered for provisional entry based on their individual records only with full participation in a compulsory language support program for a minimum one semester period.
    • Note
    Please note that clinical placement is an integral part of the healthcare programme for the students. Students must complete and achieve the required number of hours at the placement site in order to complete the qualification.

    It is a mandatory requirement of clinical placement sites that all students undergo police vetting before they can be placed at a site. Due to this requirement all students should have an acceptable outcome from the police vetting to the satisfaction of AGI and clinical placement site.